Every male Finnish citizen is liable for military service starting from the beginning of the year in which he turns 18 years old until the end of the year in which he turns 60. Fulfilment of military service includes service as a conscript, participation in reservist training, extra service and participation in call-ups and examinations assessing fitness for military service. Call-ups are arranged at all Regional Offices of the Defence Forces between 15 August and 15 December every year. A person liable for military service receives a military service order either at a call-up or by mail. The order specifies when and at which brigade-level unit the person will enter into service. Regional Offices send all persons liable for military service a call-up notice accompanied with a booklet entitled "Conscript", a questionnaire for military service and health evaluation, and other material related to military service. The questionnaire must be completed and returned to the relevant Regional Office . Most of the material is also available on the Internet at address www.mil.fi.
Women may apply for voluntary military service in all brigade-level units providing conscript training. More detailed information about applications for voluntary military service is available at address: www.mil.fi
Dual or multiple citizenship.Upon application, a Finnish citizen is exempted from military service during peacetime if he is a citizen of another country and resident abroad and can prove that his defacto ties to his family, studies, income or other person matters are located outside Finland. A person liable for military service is not required to participate in call-up or military service if he is also a citizen of another country and has been resident abroad for the previous seven years. A Regional Office may, upon application, exempt a citizen of another country who has gained Finnish citizenship from military service during peacetime if the person has completed peacetime military service or part of it in said other country. The person must be under 30 years of age and have served at least four months of military service before gaining Finnish citizenship.
Non-military service. If a person liable for military service avers that serious reasons of conscience founded on religious or ethical conviction prevent him from carrying out the service laid down in the Conscription Act, he will be exempted from such service in peacetime and assigned to do non-military service as provided for in the Non-Military Service Act.
Unarmed service. If serious reasons of conscience prevent a person liable for military service from performing armed military service and if he applies for unarmed service, he will be exempted from armed service during peacetime and assigned to unarmed service.
Application forms are available at the Regional Offices and on the Internet at address www.mil.fi.
Defence Command, Personnel Division
P.O. Box 919, 00131 HELSINKI, FINLAND
tel: +358 -(0) 9 -181 0111
www.mil.fi
Army Command
P.O. Box 145, 50101 MIKKELI, FINLAND
tel: +358 - (0)15 -181 0111
registry.maave@mil.fi
Centre for Non-Military Service/Lapinjärvi Training Centre
Latokartanontie 97, 07800 LAPINJÄRVI, FINLAND
tel: +358 -(0) 19 -530 600 fax: +358 -(0) 19 -530 611
info@sivarikeskus.fi
www.sivarikeskus.fi
