Brits Will Be Drafted Into the Latvian Army

For emigrated youth, there may be nothing to return to after service

Ilze Kalve/Latvijas Avīze

From 2027, Latvia’s National Defence Service (VAD) is set to conscript Latvian citizens aged 18–27 who live abroad.

A “lottery” for 2,000 young men abroad

The Ministry of Defence estimates that from 2027 approximately 2,000 young men living permanently abroad will meet the annual VAD conscription criteria. The ministry has no precise country-by-country data, but based on the latest statistics, the approximate proportions could be: 52% from the UK, 15% from Ireland, and 14% from Germany — i.e., what percentage of conscripts each year would come from each country.

The ministry cannot say how many will actually be drafted:
“If the number of volunteers is insufficient, a random selection will be organised to fill the missing quota. In this selection, citizens residing abroad will be included in the Riga VAD selection pool, which accounts for about 35% of conscripts (in the first draft, 35.6% came from Riga),” the ministry told Latvijas Avīze.

The diaspora so far shows little support for mandatory service — not so much regarding willingness to serve, but rather concern about what awaits young men who receive the draft notice.

Finding a new job will be difficult

“While a young man is still single and could live with his parents, many problems would disappear — at least for some,” says Uldis Balodis, head of the well-known diaspora social media platform Laiva. “But if he lives on his own — renting a house, flat, or even a small room — and works, then conscription means leaving the UK for 11 months. He will lose his rented home, because no landlord will keep it empty for 11 months. And the workplace will likely say: if you leave, we’ll hire someone else!”

Similar concerns are voiced by Jānis (name changed), who will be draft-age when VAD starts conscripting abroad:
“That means I’d have to leave my job and my flat. Drop everything for a year to serve.”

UK unemployment this year has reached 5%, and among 16- to 24-year-olds it is 15.3%. Young people have the hardest time finding jobs, because the usual entry-level jobs — waiter, courier — are now highly competitive due to migration.

“My friends jump from warehouse to warehouse,” says Jānis. “They’re kept only while there are orders; after six months they’re let go.”

Stefans Rudzītis, who will be too old to be drafted by 2027, agrees:
“I’ve heard of many who sit unemployed for months waiting for a new job.”

Stefans himself has stable employment and even considered volunteering for VAD:
“But realistically, my employer wouldn’t keep my position for 11 months.”

Housing shortages

The UK housing shortage is estimated at 6.5 million homes. In London, each available rental property has around eight applicants. Without a job and several thousand pounds for upfront payments, getting a rental is nearly impossible.

Jānis lives with his mother in social housing. Rent is £600 per month, but with utilities and council tax total costs reach £1,000. If he had to leave for 11 months, his mother could not cover the costs alone and would have to apply for benefits. Upon return, he would have to start from scratch — job hunting and possibly new housing.

Forget the dream of owning a home

Some young people have further obligations: supporting families, paying child support, or paying a mortgage. Families may apply for allowances while the breadwinner serves, and child-support payments may be suspended for the 11 months, but mortgage repayments will not be forgiven.

“If a young person has a mortgage, the bank will not grant an 11-month payment holiday,” explains Kristīne Krauze, mortgage specialist and LPAK board member. “At best, they might be allowed to pay only interest.”

There is also no guarantee that students in UK universities will be able to keep their study place or scholarships. Losing a hard-won scholarship is a real concern.

Eva (name changed), mother of a 20-year-old engineering student, says:
“He’s very worried. And I’m worried too — also about a possible Russian invasion of Latvia.”\

However, opinions among young people vary. Artūrs Šambars says his son would serve — but only if there was no war:
“If it was a war with Russia, definitely not,” the son answered during the call.

Some will give up Latvian citizenship

Jānis says he personally would not renounce Latvian citizenship, and if needed, would serve. But for others with weaker ties, especially dual citizens, renouncing Latvian citizenship would be the likely choice.

One friend, he says, received a notice to appear at a medical commission (likely because he had not declared residence abroad), but cannot leave the UK — he is the sole provider for his wife and child and has not been in Latvia since age three.

The ministry notes that parents in service will receive an extra €200 allowance per child per month.

Balodis says he often hears talk of renouncing citizenship to avoid VAD:
“It’s like pushing people off a cliff — tearing them out of their everyday life for 11 months with no safety net upon return.”

Talking about the benefits of VAD

LPAK (Latvian Representation in the UK), a charity representing the interests of Latvians living in the UK, regularly meets with the diaspora to explain VAD. According to Kristīne Krauze, reactions vary: some parents believe “the army makes a man,” but most worry about studies, stipends, employment and return-to-life problems. Many young people speak little Latvian.

London Latvian school teacher Dace Ali believes serving is necessary and emphasises that families must be informed about the positive aspects.

Krauze also highlights benefits: state-funded military training, first aid, safety and technical skills, driver’s licences (B, C categories), radio communications, logistics, and leadership skills.

The ministry says young people from abroad who already serve in VAD report improved Latvian, new friends, and a strengthened connection to Latvia — though it did not provide numbers.

Some UK-based Latvians tell Latvijas Avīze that their friends had positive experiences with VAD.

Accused of bias

While Latvia has ensured job and study-place protection for young people living in Latvia, diaspora youth find themselves at a disadvantage. Upon returning from service, some may face unemployment or even homelessness. Families remaining in the UK may require benefits; scholarships could be lost; mortgages might go unpaid.

After reviewing this article, the Ministry of Defence — via spokesperson Lauma Zommere — called the published information “highly biased,” arguing that essential details were missing.

First, a citizen over 18 is not drafted if he continues formal education:
“He is subject to VAD within one year after graduation or interruption of studies,” the ministry notes (with the exception of higher education).

The ministry also considers it misleading that the article mentions only the 11-month military service. Other forms are possible:

• 11 months in an NAF or National Guard unit,
• 11-month civilian service for those who object to military service on philosophical or religious grounds (available only to those selected by random draw),
• 5-year service in the National Guard for volunteers, involving 28 days of training per year, usually weekends or one summer block.

But do these alternatives solve the practical problems raised by potential conscripts in the UK? Without addressing them, there is little hope that UK-based Latvian youth will volunteer for the National Defence Service.