Applying  

At the earliest, you can apply for military service the year you turn 18. Those applying between 16 January 2026 and 15 January 2027 can apply for the 2027 July contingent and both the January and July contingents of the next three years (2028, 2029, 2030). You can complete military service in various service tasks in any of the Defence Forces’ or the Border Guard’s brigade-level units. However, not all service tasks are available in every brigade-level unit. Read about different service tasks. Online application for voluntary military service for women opens on 15 May 2026. The online application will close on 15 January 2027.

This is how you apply to service

How to apply

1. Fill in the questionnaire for examination of health and print it out.

Log in To MyMilitary (OmaIntti) online service and fill in the “Questionnaire for examination of health". Print the completed questionnaire and book an appointment to see a doctor at your local health centre. When you book the appointment, remember to say that the reason for the appointment is evaluation of your fitness for military service. 

2. Go to the medical examination

Take the questionnaire for examination of health, which you have filled in, to the examination. After the examination, the doctor will give you a medical certificate which has to be attached to your application. You can request reimbursement on medical examination costs from the Defence Forces.  If the medical examination is done by a private medical provider, the maximum financial reimbursement is the cost of a corresponding appointment at a public health centre. Remember to ask for a receipt for the payment if the examination is not free of charge. If you use private services, print out the Medical examination form and take it with you.

3. Fill in your application for voluntary military service for women and submit it.

Once you have received your medical certificate, log in To MyMilitary (OmaIntti) online service and fill in an application for women’s voluntary military service. Attach the medical certificate and the receipts for reimbursement to your application. In some cases, the physician who conducted the examination may also send the medical certificate to the regional office. Should this be the case, make a note in your application.

4. Send your application by the deadline. The application period ends on 15 January each year.

5. If you wish to apply for special forces, fill in a separate application form after you have submitted the application for voluntary military service for women.

Instructions on how to apply for special forces can be found here

Paper applications

If you are unable to submit your application online, you can fill in a paper application and send it by mail To your regional office.  Do not forget to attach the medical certificate to your application. The application with your signature should be received by your regional office by the application deadline, 15 January.

Selection Criteria

To be selected, the applicant must be in good health. They must also be fit to be trained for the Defence Forces’ reserve. 

You will get more information about voluntary military service at the selection event where you will also be interviewed and your health will be examined. The selection event will be organised by your regional office during April.

You must start your service the year you turn 29 at the latest.