A military exemption is an official legal provision that exempts individuals or groups of people from compulsory military service or from certain military duties. Depending on the country and its laws, military exemptions may be granted for various reasons, such as medical reasons, religious beliefs, conscientious objection, family responsibilities, or educational pursuits.
Algeria Under the Algerian National Service Law, citizens with serious physical or mental disabilities may be examined by a military medical board and can be exempted from military service either temporarily or permanently, depending on the condition. Individuals may also receive an exemption if they are the primary supporter of a large family, a parent, or a disabled relative.
Under certain dual-nationality agreements, dual citizens from countries such as France are exempt from Algerian military service. The president has the authority to grant exemptions to specific groups of people through official decrees. Citizens can also receive exemptions if they are preparing to run for or hold a government office. In addition, some individuals whose ancestors fought in the Algerian War of Independence may qualify for exemption. Finally, Algerian citizens living abroad may apply for military service exemptions through Algerian consulates.https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/1438709/1226_1531987819_query-response-algeria-conscription-oppdatert-31052018.pdf
Angola Under Angola's Military Service Law (Lei do Serviço Militar), a person may be exempt from military service if they have a serious physical or mental disability that makes them unfit to serve. Exemptions may also be granted to certain essential workers, such as full-time teachers, because the government considers their work important to the functioning of society. Individuals who refuse military service for moral or religious reasons may also be exempted and instead required to perform community or alternative civilian service. In addition, exemptions or deferments can be granted to people who are the sole provider for their family or orphans responsible for caring for younger siblings.
Armenia Armenian law provides several exemptions from compulsory military service. Individuals declared medically unfit by a military commission are exempt, and health-related exemptions account for a large share of cases. Exemptions may also apply in certain family circumstances, including when a person is the only son in a family that has lost a member during military service. Persons who have completed military service in another country, generally for a minimum required period prior to obtaining Armenian citizenship, may also qualify for exemption.
In addition, exemptions may be granted by decision of the government in specific cases. Armenian law also provides for alternative civilian service for conscientious objectors, allowing individuals to fulfill their obligation outside the armed forces.
Separate provisions apply to individuals who have not served by the age of eligibility. Men aged 27–37 who avoided conscription may regularize their status by completing reduced service or paying a legally prescribed fee in exchange for exemption.
Austria Under Austrian law, male citizens are generally subject to compulsory military service (Wehrpflicht) from the age of 18. Exemptions may be granted for medical unfitness, ongoing education, or significant family or economic responsibilities. Male citizens who object to armed service for reasons of conscience may perform alternative civilian service (Zivildienst), which lasts longer than standard military service. Austrian citizens living abroad or those who have completed equivalent mandatory service in another country may also qualify for exemption. Female citizens are not subject to conscription but may volunteer for military service.
Azerbaijan In Azerbaijan, certain individuals may be permanently exempt from mandatory military service in the Azerbaijani Armed Forces. While all able-bodied male citizens are generally subject to conscription at age 18, exemptions can be granted under specific conditions. Permanent deferment applies to individuals who hold a doctoral degree (PhD), people with serious health conditions including mental illness, citizens who have been arrested for committing a grave crime, and individuals registered with law enforcement under preventive or operational supervision. Women are not required to serve unless they choose to volunteer. The standard service period for those who do serve is 18 months, or 12 months for university graduates.
Belarus Under the Law of the Republic of Belarus “On Military Duty and Military Service,” men are required to complete compulsory military service. The length of service is 18 months for those without higher education and 12 months for those who have obtained a higher education degree. It is generally difficult to be declared unfit for service in Belarus; however, exemptions or deferments may be granted in certain cases, including those employed in critical civilian occupations, and members of specific religions (such as Jehovah's Witnesses) who qualify as conscientious objectors.
Bolivia In Bolivia, military service is legally mandatory for male citizens beginning at age 18; however, exemptions and non-service are permitted under a range of conditions within the system of the Bolivian Armed Forces. Individuals may be exempted on medical grounds, including physical or mental health conditions that render them unfit for service. Deferments are commonly granted to those enrolled in secondary or higher education, which may delay or effectively prevent conscription. Additional exemptions may apply to individuals who are the sole economic providers for their families.
Brazil Military service in Brazil is compulsory for all male citizens, who are subject to conscription from the first day of the year in which they turn 18 until the end of the year in which they turn 45. In the case of war, the period may be extended according to the needs of the government. Those who are not selected during the annual process are issued a Certificate of Exemption from Enlistment, or Certificado de Dispensa de Incorporação (CDI), a certificate of exemption from military enlistment that confirms the individual's military obligations, even when not in the armed forces. The document is used as evidence for compliance with military obligations and may be required for certain procedures including public examinations, passport distribution, and enrollment in educational institutions.
Permitted rationales for exemption include both mental and physical disabilities, being the sole provider for other individuals, being an only child, or being a member of the clergy.
Croatia Under Croatian law, all male citizens aged between 18 and 27 must complete a 2 month long compulsory military service. Permanent exemptions may be granted to those with a criminal history or severe disabilities. Police cadets, judicial police officers, members of the clergy and those who have completed similar training in another country are also exempt. Deferrals may be granted to those enrolled in higher education institutions, certain professional athletes, Croatians living abroad, sole earners and those undergoing work training. Deferrals can also be granted for major life events such as a close family member's death, marriage childbirth or starting a business. Female citizens are not subject to conscription but may volunteer for military service.
Cuba Under Cuban law, male citizens are generally subject to 2 years of compulsory military service.These 2 years can be completed at any time as long as they are completed in one continuous period between the ages of 17 and 28. Permanent exemptions may be granted for medical unfitness, due to a severe physical or mental disability. Individuals can also defer if they have a temporary injury or illness, are completing their studies or are the sole supporter of 2 or more dependents under the age of 21. According to the report of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, "adolescents have the option of working out their term of military service by performing duties of other kinds, which may be economic or social in character". Female citizens are not subject to conscription but may volunteer for military service.
Eritrea Under Eritrean law, all Eritrean citizens aged 18–50 must complete 18 months of compulsory military service. Exemptions on the base of conscientious objection are not accepted. Conscripts have no choice in the type of the work they are conscripted to do. The state may also indefinitely increase conscription, with conscripts often spending years or decades in the military. Several human rights watchdog organizations, have also documented cases of children as young 15 being conscripted. Permanent exemptions are provided only in cases of a severe disability preventing the individual from participating in the military service. Examples include but are not limited to blindness or major development delays.
Greece Conscription in Greece is codified is enshrined in Article 4(6) of the Constitution, which states that "every Greek capable of bearing arms is obliged to contribute to the defense of the Fatherland as provided by law." The law on conscription is Law 3421/2005; under it, all Greek males are obliged to serve in the Armed Forces for 9 to 12 months from the beginning of their 19th year to the end of their 45th year.
Permitted rationales for exemption include being a father of more than three children or children who cannot support themselves, or a widower. Postponements are allowed to students in higher education, on rationales of health, or to those with brothers serving in the Armed Forces.
Germany
Since 2011, Germany no longer mandates military service for men, transitioning to an all-volunteer army. However, the constitutional clause permitting the establishment of mandatory military service for men remained in effect. Since 2026, men and women will receive a form to assess their fitness to serve once they turn 18, which men are obligated to fill out. Starting in July 2026, young men born later than 2007 may be called to a military center for assessment, if capacity is available. In addition, new measures have been implemented to make military service more appealing. The new law also allows the Bundestag to create a chance-based system for mandatory service, if the number of volunteers is not sufficient.
Art. 4 III of the Grundgesetz allows any person to become a conscientious objector. The objector must explain his reasons in detail; broad statements lacking depth or specificity are not generally sufficient. In case of war or a significant tension, those refusing to serve in the armed forces may be obligated to complete civil service instead (§ 1 II KDVG).
Iran
All male Iranian citizens are obligated to serve between 18 and 24 months.
Service exceptions exist for reasons of physical and mental health. LGBTQ individuals are excluded from service due to "moral and sexual deviancy", and may be forced to undergo humiliating treatment. In addition, gay men may be pressured to present as trans women.
A reduction in service time or a delay of service is offered to university students. Exceptions may also be granted due to family situations, membership in the Basij, or other academic/work reasons in exceptional circumstances.
As of 2014, no protocol exists for a conscientious objection, despite some minorities in Iran holding pacifist beliefs. Refusal to serve may lead to being denied for government employment and driver's licenses. Passports and permits to leave the country are regularly denied to those who refuse to serve. There are no provisions for alternative service.
Israel