Switzerland votes to make switching from military to civilian service harder, tightening rules for conscientious objectors
A referendum on Sunday approved six measures that will raise the hurdles for Swiss conscripts wanting to opt for civilian instead of military service, a result that supporters say will stabilise army numbers but opponents warn could strain healthcare and farming.
The vote
Swiss citizens approved a revision of the civilian service law on 14 June 2026, according to an SRG trend projection by gfs.bern. With the exception of the canton of Zurich, all cantons had been counted by early afternoon. The changes, pushed through parliament by a centre-right majority and challenged by a referendum led by the Young Greens and the Civiva association, aim to make it less attractive for conscripts to leave the armed forces for a civilian alternative.
It is a good day for the army and civil protection. With this revision they will be strengthened.
Six new hurdles
Once enacted, the law will introduce half a dozen new restrictions. Anyone switching from the military to civilian service will have to complete at least 150 civilian service days, regardless of how many military days are left – a move meant to stop soldiers near the end of their service from defecting. Non-commissioned officers and officers will now also face a 1.5‑times multiplier of their remaining military days, closing a loophole that previously required only a 10-percent surcharge.
Conscripts who have already finished all their military training days will no longer be allowed to transfer, unless called up for active or assistance duty. Medical students and doctors will lose the ability to count specialised medical assignments as civilian service experience, a practice that drew many into the system. New rules also require civilian service members to serve annually from the year after their first assignment, mirroring the annual shooting obligation in the military. Those who submit a transfer application during basic training must now complete their long civilian service (180 days) by the end of the following year.
Winners’ view
Proponents argue the reform restores fairness and helps stabilise troop numbers. Stefan Holenstein, president of the Association of Military Societies, said the civilian service remains justified only for those with genuine conflicts of conscience. Centre party president Matthias Bregy acknowledged the work is not finished: “Now we have to shape the future of compulsory service and ensure that the military, civil protection and civilian service can count on enough committed people in the long term.”
This is the first step towards further measures we have to take to be able to guarantee our country’s security in the medium and long term.
The Swiss Employers’ Association added that a strong military is central to a functioning business location and that fewer young people doing the typically longer civilian service means more workers available to companies.
Losers’ warnings
Opponents – backed by the Social Democrats, Greens, Green Liberals and the Group for a Switzerland without an Army – say the changes amount to the abolition of civilian service in its current form. They fear staff shortages in nursing, agriculture and other sectors that rely heavily on civilian service placements. The civilian protection service is already understaffed partly because of departures toward the army's civilian alternative, they note.
What comes next
The vote is not the end of the debate. The federal government has outlined two options for the future of compulsory service, and parliamentary discussions are expected to continue. In 2025 a record 7,211 people were admitted to civilian service, while army numbers are projected to decline – a trend the new law is designed to reverse.
