Denmark will begin requiring women to register for military service assessments from July 2025, marking a significant shift in the country’s defense policy as Europe braces for heightened geopolitical tensions.
Under legislation passed by the Danish Parliament in June 2023, women turning 18 after July 1, 2025, will be subject to the same conscription evaluation process as their male counterparts.
The change comes amid growing calls across Europe to bolster military readiness in response to security threats, particularly following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Until now, women in Denmark could only join the military on a voluntary basis. Last year, they accounted for roughly 24% of all new recruits. The move to include women in conscription aims to strengthen the country’s defensive capabilities and promote gender equality in national service.
“In the world situation we’re in right now, it’s necessary to have more conscripts, and I think that women should contribute equally, as men do,” said Katrine, a recruit in the Danish Royal Life Guard, speaking to Reuters.
The Danish military will prioritize volunteers first, with remaining recruits selected through a lottery system. Officials have already begun making logistical and equipment upgrades in barracks to better accommodate female conscripts, including resizing uniforms and gear.
“There are different things they need to improve, especially in terms of equipment. Right now, it’s made for men,” Katrine noted.
In tandem with NATO allies, Denmark recently committed to increasing defense spending and plans to extend the military service duration from four months to 11 months by 2026. The total number of annual recruits is expected to rise from 5,000 to 7,500 by 2033.
The policy shift places Denmark alongside countries like Norway and Sweden, which already have gender-neutral conscription laws in place.
