Military service and other duties tied to your nationality

Key rules

• Spanish service: Spain does not conscript foreign residents, but your home country may still expect you to register.
• US men: Men aged 18 through 25 must register with Selective Service even when living in Spain.
• Consulate first: Ask your own consulate in Spain what applies to you before you assume you are exempt.
• Proof: Keep written confirmation of any registration, deferral or exemption.

Military rules change often and differ by country, so confirm your duties and any current procedure with your consulate, or with the Selective Service website for US men.

Do you still have duties to your home country?

Spain does not ask foreign residents to do military service. Conscription has been suspended in Spain since 2001. But your home country may still expect you to register, defer or pay, even while you live here. A few nationalities have continuing conscription or registration duties, and some consulates in Spain handle them.

Which nationalities are affected

Rules differ widely, so check with your own consulate. These countries are the ones most likely to matter:

• United States: men aged 18 through 25 must register with Selective Service, wherever they live.
• Russia: men aged 18 to 30, with a registry that includes citizens abroad.
• Ukraine: men must be registered for military service, including abroad.
• Colombia and Ecuador: a military card is required.
• Morocco: conscription was introduced in 2007 for ages 19 to 25.
• Turkey, Israel, Greece, South Korea, Singapore and Switzerland: conscription continues.
• Uruguay and Venezuela: registration applies.
• France, Germany, Italy and other EU states: conscription is suspended, but some keep registration or related steps, such as the French Journée Défense et Citoyenneté.

If your country is not listed, still ask your consulate. Dual nationals who hold Spanish nationality are not subject to Spanish conscription.

US citizens and immigrants: Selective Service

Nearly all male US citizens and male immigrants aged 18 through 25 must register, including in Spain. Register within 30 days of your 18th birthday. You can do it online, by mail with a form, or at a US embassy or consulate. Women do not have to register. Non-immigrant visa holders, such as diplomats and students on valid visas, are exempt.

Men over 26 can no longer register. If that is you, you can ask for a status information letter. Automatic registration has been approved in the US, so check on the official site how registration works now.

How consulates in Spain help

Many consulates handle registration, deferrals and military cards for their nationals. Examples include Moroccan, Colombian, Ecuadorian, Ukrainian, Russian, Turkish and Greek consulates. For Israel, the embassy handles deferrals. Not every consulate offers every service, so confirm this first.

Expect to book an appointment, usually on the consulate's website. The documents block below lists what to bring.

What can go wrong

Penalties depend on the country. They can include fines, a refused passport or consular services, a military card you need for jobs or study, travel limits, criminal charges for evasion, and problems renewing documents. US men who do not register can lose eligibility for federal student aid and federal jobs, and immigrants can be refused naturalisation.

If you cannot serve, ask your consulate about a deferral or an exemption payment. Some countries offer them, such as Turkey's paid service. Keep written proof of whatever you arrange.

Timeline and deadlines

• Last chance to register with US Selective Service: before your 26th birthday

Documents you need

• Your valid passport or national ID, shown at your consulate's appointment.

• Proof that you live in Spain, which your consulate usually asks for with your registration or deferral request.

• The consulate's registration or deferral forms, usually found on its website when you book your appointment.

• Your military card from your home country (for example the Colombian libreta militar or the Ecuadorian military card), if your country issues one and you need it for jobs or study.

Checklist

• Check with your country's consulate in Spain whether it has conscription, registration or reserve duties for citizens abroad.

• Register with US Selective Service if you are a man aged 18 through 25, whether you are a US citizen or an immigrant non-citizen living in the US.

• Book an appointment at your consulate if it handles registration or deferrals for your nationality.

• Bring your passport or ID, proof of residence in Spain and the consulate's forms to the appointment.

• Ask about a deferral or exemption payment if you cannot do the service.

• Get written confirmation of your registration or deferral and keep it with your important papers.

What to watch out for

• US men who skip Selective Service registration: US men who do not register can lose eligibility for federal student aid, federal jobs and some state benefits. Immigrants can be denied naturalisation. Register if you are aged 18 through 25. If you are over 26, you can no longer register, so ask for a status information letter.

• Losing passport or consular services: Countries such as Ukraine, Turkey, Colombia, Ecuador, Greece, Israel and Russia can refuse passports or consular services if your duties are unmet. Some can also deny the military card you need for jobs or study. Contact your consulate in Spain early, before you need a passport renewal or other papers.

• Fines, travel limits and criminal charges: Some countries can fine you, block you from entering or leaving, or bring criminal charges for evading service. Problems with citizenship and document renewals can follow. Ask your consulate about a deferral or exemption payment before you travel to your home country.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to do Spanish military service if I live in Spain?

No, you do not have to do Spanish military service, because Spain suspended conscription in 2001. This also applies if you hold Spanish nationality as well as another. Your home country's duties are a separate matter.

Can I be refused a passport or consular services for unmet military duties?

Yes, some countries can refuse passports or consular services if your military duties are unmet. Ukraine, for example, restricts consular services for men of military age who are not registered. Ask your consulate what it requires before you need any paperwork from it.

What can I do if my country asks for military service and I cannot go?

Some countries allow a deferral or an exemption payment instead of service. Turkey, for example, has a paid option for service abroad. Ask your consulate in Spain whether this is open to you and how to apply.

Does a woman living in Spain have to register with US Selective Service?

No, women are not required to register with US Selective Service. The requirement applies to men aged 18 through 25.