Depending on where they come from, foreign nationals in Switzerland have either sweeping or limited rights. But what about being able to join military or civilian services, if they want to?
Before you decide whether any of these services is for you, let’s look at the differences between them.
First, the army
This needs little explanation.
In Switzerland, unlike in some other European countries, military service is mandatory for all able-bodied male citizens, who are conscripted when they reach the age of 18 (women are not obligated to serve, but can volunteer).
Military service lasts nine years and includes six refresher courses lasting three weeks each.
Next, civil protection (also called ‘civil defence’)
Men who are unfit for military service (health-wise), perform civil protection duties. Someone is deemed unfit for military service during the recruitment process.
The role of Switzerland’s civil protection service is to offer support to the military in emergency situations or natural disasters.
For instance, it was mobilised on a large scale during the Covid pandemic in 2020, helping the army set up tents outside the hospitals, as well as distributing essential supplies and sanitary materials such as masks and disinfectants, to medical personnel.
After the basic training, civil protection duties continue for 14 years, or 245 days of service in total. You can be called up for a maximum of 66 days per year.
Advertisement
What about civilian service?
It is easy to confuse this particular service with the aforementioned civil protection but, while they sound similar, they are not the same.
So what’s the difference between the two?
Well, people who join civil defence/protection are those deemed unfit for the ‘regular’ military service because of health concerns, but those who join the civilian service are fit enough, but have a conscientious objection to army service.
In other words they “can’t reconcile military service with their conscience,” according to the government.
Civilian service lasts one and a half times longer than military service and encompasses activities within social welfare, healthcare, environmental protection, and nature conservation. They are usually ‘lighter’ than the tasks performed by civil protection and are, as their name suggests, focused strictly on the civilian population.
Just as the regular military service, women can volunteer for both civil protection and the civilian service.
In a nutshell, this is how the government explains it:
- Military service: Every male Swiss national is required to perform military service.
- Civil protection: Those unfit for military service but eligible for protection service are assigned to civil protection.
- Civilian service: Only those fit for military service but unable to reconcile it with their conscience may be admitted to civil service. These individuals must perform 1.5 times more days of service than in the army.
And that brings us to the original question: can foreigner nationals volunteer for these three services?
Advertisement
Military
That’s a ‘no’.
Only Swiss citizens can be conscripted in Switzerland, including dual nationals who had not yet served in the armed forces of their ‘other’ country.
And only Swiss women can volunteer for the service, not foreign nationals.
READ ALSO: Do foreigners have to do military service in Switzerland?
Since the army is ‘reserved’ for Swiss citizens only, foreigners can’t volunteer.
That, however, could change.
In January 2025, the Federal Council announced that it is exploring ways of boosting numbers in the military and civil protection service “in view of current threats.”
In that context, “the participation of foreigners in compulsory service is to be examined,” the government said, adding that a final decision will be made in 2027.
However, the-then Defence Minister Viola Amherd specified that foreigners would likely not be required to do military service, but they could be made to participate in the civil defence.
“From our point of view, it would be possible for the foreign population to serve as part of disaster relief,” she said.
Advertisement
What about volunteering for the civil protection?
That’s a ‘yes.’
According to the Federal Office of Civil Protection, foreigners established in Switzerland, older than 18, can volunteer.
How can you go about it?
“Individuals wishing to volunteer for civil defence must submit a written application to the competent office in their canton of residence. The cantons decide whether they are eligible to join.”
You can find the civil protection office in your canton here.
Last but not least: civilian service
Foreign residents can’t volunteer for Switzerland’s civilian service.
The reason being, according to Alexandra Breaud, a spokesperson for the Federal Civil Service Office is that “civilian service is not based on voluntary commitment. It is part of the system of compulsory service to which all men of Swiss nationality are subject.
“Only those fit for military service but unable to reconcile it with their conscience may be admitted to civil service.”
“A foreign resident may therefore not be admitted.”
