Portugal plans to launch voluntary military service

Nuno Melo intends to move forward with the voluntary military service project as early as 2027, aimed at young people who, despite not wanting to pursue a military career, can go through military training.

In an interview with Público and Renascença, the minister argued that the initiative could begin with an experimental phase involving a limited number of participants.

To the newspaper Público and radio Renascença, the Minister of Defence argues that the initiative should begin in an experimental phase, involving a limited number of participants. The proposal involves allowing young people to receive military training and participate in recruitment for the Army, Navy, or Air Force for a limited period of their lives. At the end of the experience, it may be possible to understand who intends to continue in a military career, which is also the objective of the experience. That direct contact with the military environment may lead young people to remain in the Armed Forces.

Nuno Melo also says he would like the project to start in 2027, stating that it is "more than possible" that it could begin next year.