Austrian government agrees on military service model 6+3 and automatic civilian service from 2028

"Should too few make themselves available, however, a statutory automatic mechanism kicks in," Stocker explained the mechanism. "This automatic mechanism for substitute civilian service is inseparably linked to the military service reform and vice versa," the chancellor added. "If we do not achieve the necessary numbers through voluntariness, we commit to presenting a law that provides for an automatic mechanism," Stocker continued. NEOS parliamentary group leader Yannick Shetty defended the departure from the original expert opinion on the ORF program "ZiB2": "That is a question of setting priorities." The counter-financing, however, would be "put on the table" – unlike previous governments, Shetty continued.

The automatic mechanism for civilian service

The Military Service Commission, chaired by Lieutenant General Erwin Hameseder, had originally advocated for the "Austria Plus" model – that is, eight months of basic military service plus two months of militia exercises. Its report contained 49 recommendations and 41 incentives. "The result was not a political wish list, but from the experts' perspective a professionally sound report with 49 recommendations and 41 incentives," Hameseder said. The model now presented was "not the optimal solution in substance," but "a significant step forward" compared to the status quo, the Commission stated. "It does not fill me with enthusiasm, but it is a step that will significantly advance the Austrian Federal Army," Hameseder summarized. Hameseder was present at the government's presentation on Monday – "not a matter of course," as he himself noted.

"The security policy situation has fundamentally changed," said Peter Koren, Deputy Secretary General of the Federation of Austrian Industries (IV). The geopolitical situation will not wait for the skirmishes of individual governing parties. The IV viewed the presented model positively, "even if it was not the Commission's first recommendation." The President of the Austrian Red Cross, Gerald Schöpfer, also welcomed the decision on the initially voluntary and, if necessary, mandatory extension of civilian service. "The resolution strengthens the resilience of society and at the same time offers the necessary flexibility to be able to respond to future developments," Schöpfer said.

Recommendation of the expert commission

To prevent a migration of conscripts to civilian service, the pay for basic military servicers is to rise from the current approximately 600 to 1,000 euros per month. Financial compensation is thus being significantly increased; in addition, vacation days for basic military servicers are being introduced. "At the same time, we are seeing an increase in new and diverse threats – from hybrid attacks and cyber threats to attacks on critical infrastructure and new challenges in the area of crisis and disaster preparedness. These developments make it clear that Austria must once again take greater control of its own capabilities for self-protection and the protection of its population," the Defense Ministry stated.

The "6+3" model is similar to the staged model also proposed by the Commission, which provides for a two-month blocked troop exercise within 18 months after basic military service, followed by militia exercises totaling 40 days. According to the experts, this staged model can be implemented relatively quickly, but is more expensive than the recommended "8+2" model. NEOS parliamentary group leader Shetty emphasized: "The '6+3' model is also the one that takes effect fastest." However, it is also more expensive than the original recommendation, which was critically noted on "ZiB2" by ORF anchor Armin Wolf. Addressing the accusation that the model is also more expensive, Shetty said: "That is a question of setting priorities."

Higher pay and vacation days

The opposition naturally did not spare criticism. FPÖ chief Herbert Kickl identified "the next rotten compromise by this loser traffic light at the expense of Austrian security and over the heads of the people." "This is playing fast and loose with the security of Austrians and the future of our young men," said Kickl, who appealed to Federal President Van der Bellen "to no longer look on idly at this irresponsible activity." Kickl saw in it "further proof of the total inability of the coalition to act." FPÖ defense spokesperson Volker Reifenberger called the government "unsuitable." Former Defense Minister Thomas Starlinger declared the model "highly irresponsible." "One must, however, find a solution that is good for society as a whole and also keep an eye on generational justice, for example," Starlinger demanded further.

The Greens were also rather dismissive. "The number game over the duration of military service is thus ended, but how things will actually continue with civilian service remains open," said the Greens' defense spokesperson, David Stögmüller. The federal government must become "significantly faster" on these decisions. Above all, those improvements were missing "that young people are rightly entitled to expect," Stögmüller criticized. "The model is a political compromise," it was said on the Green side. In their view, civilian service should ideally last twelve months and thus significantly longer than military service. "The model is a political compromise that must be respected," said Stögmüller. It also comes at a price for the economy, and the organization for the Army will be more complicated than in the model preferred by the Commission.

Staged model as a template

Federal President Van der Bellen expressed relief at the agreement. "Finding this compromise between three coalition parties took longer, but sometimes it takes time," Van der Bellen commented on the short message service Bluesky. Vice Chancellor Andreas Babler (SPÖ) expressed confidence to the Ö1 "Morgenjournal" that a solution was possible. According to reports, the negotiations had ultimately flared up mainly over the question of civilian service – not because of the roughly 300 kilometers between the Federal Chancellery and Schwarzenberg Barracks, but because of the political distance within the coalition. "It's no use to us, but it was inevitable," NEOS parliamentary group leader Shetty quipped about the matter on "ZiB2." "I take note of that," Shetty said on another matter. However, he also did not want to "throw mud," the world "keeps turning."

In the course of the summer cabinet meeting, the federal government also sent the planned social media ban for under-14-year-olds for review. The draft law is intended to create for the first time clear rules for access to certain social media platforms for under-14-year-olds. According to Chancellor Stocker, the draft law creates clear rules for access to platforms on which – quote – "addictive algorithms" are applied, such as TikTok or Instagram. The goal is for the military service reform to enter into force on January 1, 2027, the Federal Chancellery said. The government continues to uphold an entry into force at the beginning of 2027. "One must, however, find a solution that is good for society as a whole and also keep an eye on generational justice, for example," emphasized Starlinger, who was brought in as an adviser to the pink-colored Foreign Ministry.

Criticism from FPÖ and Greens

With the solution now found, months of political wrangling come to an end. Since the presentation of the Military Service Commission's report, a wide variety of models had been brought to the table – the ÖVP favored the expert model, the SPÖ put a "6+2" variant on the table, NEOS cited a Scandinavian "volunteer" model as an alternative. Two weeks ago, Stocker had then brought a compromise to the table for military service – "6 plus 3." "Because the government's task had been to negotiate a 'good model for society as a whole,'" it was said from negotiation circles. Shetty criticized, for example, that the demand for extending civilian service had only been justified by making it less attractive compared to military service.

The decision was made the day after a government retreat in Salzburg. Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner