Other forms of service and being exempted from military service
It is possible to fulfil the liability for military service in armed service or unarmed service in the Finnish Defence Forces or in non-military (civil) service.
Unarmed service
If reasons of conscience prevent you from fulfilling the liability for military service in armed service, you can apply for unarmed service, which lasts for either 255 or 347 days. This form of service equals a regular conscript service in all other respects but excludes the armed training. Information on how to apply for unarmed training will be available at the Regional Offices and at the call-ups.
Non-military (civil) service
If reasons of conscience prevent you from completing the conscript service regulated in the Conscription Act, you can apply for exemption. In this case, you have to complete the non-military (civil) service. Additional information on the service time and service location of the non-military (civil) service can be accessed on the site of the Civil Service Centre.
The service time in non-military (civil) service is 347 days. Please fill out the application form of the Ministry of Economy and Employment. You have to apply for non-military (civil) service after the call-ups.
Residents of the Åland Islands
A man holding the right of domicile in Åland by virtue of law under the Act on the Autonomy of Åland, Section 6, may apply in writing for revocation of the statutory exemption at the Regional Office. The written application must be submitted to the Regional Office within whose jurisdiction the applicant’s domicile is located. Åland is a part of the jurisdiction of the South-Western Finland Regional Office. The applicant can submit their application at the earliest in the year when they turn 18. However, the application must be approved at the latest in the year when the applicant turns 29 in order for them to start completion of the conscript service in the same year.
The Regional Office will notify the applicant of the legal consequences of the revocation of the statutory exemption as per the Conscription Act. The applicant can confirm their application in writing at the earliest 30 days from its filing, after which the Regional Office shall approve the application. If the applicant does not confirm their application during the specified 3-month period, the application shall be rendered void, and the application process must be restarted. After the application has become approved, the Regional Office shall order the person to the call-ups event or check-up held by the Regional Office, and give instructions on the preliminary medical examination. After this point, the applicant is considered a person liable for military service.
A man holding the right of domicile in Åland, and who has completed the conscript service part of the liability for military service voluntarily before 1 July 2026, is considered liable for military service and in the reserve unless he notifies of his will to be removed from the reserve. The notification must be submitted to the Regional Office within whose jurisdiction the applicant’s domicile is located.
Persons holding the right of domicile in Åland, and who have moved to Åland under the age of 12, have the right to serve, instead of conscript service, in a corresponding capacity in maritime pilot and lighthouse administration or in other civilian administration. Until this type of service is arranged, persons holding the right of domicile in Åland are exempted from military service.
