# Lithuania plans universal conscription for men ages 18–22 starting in 2032

https://mins.news/en/item/121135

- Meduza, 2026-10-29 16:31 UTC
- Politics
- Original: https://meduza.io/en/news/2026/10/29/lithuania-plans-to-introduce-universal-military-conscription-for-men-ages-18-22-starting-in-2032

> Lithuania’s State Defense Council has decided to introduce universal conscription in 2032, President Gitanas Nausėda said. The plan would replace selective drafting with service for men ages 18 to 22; women could still volunteer. Lithuania currently drafts about 5,000 people annually and expects an intake of about 7,500 young men under the new system. The later start is intended to give the military time to prepare its infrastructure.