France Launches New Paid National Military Service to Recruit Thousands of Youth

The French government has officially launched a new paid national military service aimed at recruiting thousands of young volunteers aged 18 to 19. Announced by President Emmanuel Macron in November 2025, the initiative intends to address increased military needs amid rising global conflict risks.

The service is purely military and conducted entirely within France. Recruits will undergo a one-month training period followed by nine months of active duty. The first recruitment campaign targets 3,000 young people for 2026, with plans to grow to 10,000 annually by 2030 and an ambitious goal of 42,500 recruits annually by 2035. When combined with existing voluntary military services, this would reach 50,000 participants per year.

Volunteers will receive a minimum salary of 800 euros per month, alongside housing, meals, and equipment. Importantly, participation will be recognized in the Parcoursup university admissions platform, positioning the service as a potential gap year before higher education.

This new paid national military service replaces the previously proposed universal national service (SNU), which was targeted at younger minors (15-17) and focused on promoting national cohesion but had limited success. The shift is attributed to changing strategic contexts following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Defense Minister Catherine Vautrin and military officials presented the recruitment campaign details during a press conference in Paris, emphasizing the initiative’s role in strengthening France’s defense capabilities while offering youth valuable experience and compensation.

This program marks a significant evolution in France’s approach to national service, reflecting contemporary security challenges and the government’s efforts to engage youth in national defense.