Mandatory military service was reinstated in Lithuania in 2015 and is now permanent. Male citizens between the ages of 18 and 22 are subject to conscription. Service lasts 9 months, or 3 months for those with skills in professions in high demand by the military. Approximately 5,000 conscripts are planned for 2026; recruitment runs from January 2 through December 31. Volunteers can enlist up to age 39.
These terms are easy to confuse. Exemption removes you from the military registry permanently. A deferment postpones service for as long as the reason applies, after which you may still be called up. Medical unfitness leads to exemption, while a temporary illness results only in a deferment. Everything depends on the documents and circumstances, so two people with similar diagnoses may receive different decisions from the medical board.
The law exempts those whom the military medical examination board has deemed unfit for mandatory service. The exact health requirements are set forth in subordinate legislation, so there is no “list of five diagnoses.” The most common conditions include severe heart and vascular diseases, epilepsy and other neurological disorders, significant vision and hearing impairments, spinal and joint diseases, and mental disorders. The name of the diagnosis matters less than the extent to which the condition limits a person’s abilities.
People with disabilities are automatically exempt unless they have submitted a written statement indicating that they wish to serve and are fit for military service.
Doctors review the documents and examination results. There are three possible verdicts: fit for service, temporarily unfit, or unfit. A temporary impairment—such as one resulting from an injury—results in a deferral until recovery; a permanent impairment is grounds for a full exemption.
Example: Wearing glasses is not an automatic exemption. Myopia alone does not exempt you from service; the board considers the degree of vision impairment and current medical requirements.
A deferment is granted to men who are raising a minor child on their own, as well as to those who have taken parental leave until the child turns 3.
If you have two or more children under the age of 3, your service is deferred. You will need birth certificates and documents proving your family status.
A deferment is granted to those who have been officially appointed as the sole guardian of a person with a disability, the guardian of a person with limited legal capacity, or a caregiver. The key word here is “appointed.” Helping a grandmother as a relative without formal designation does not qualify for this exemption.
The deferral applies 70 days before the birth and 56 days after. In the case of a complicated delivery or the birth of two or more children, the postpartum period is 70 days. The deferral covers only this period around the birth; the remaining months of pregnancy are not included in the calculation.
Example: The partner’s due date is March 1. The deferral applies from approximately December 21 through April 26. However, during the third month of pregnancy, the deferral has not yet taken effect.
For students enrolled in primary or secondary education, military service is deferred until the completion of their program. If you graduate in the same year as the draft, there is no deferment: you will begin your service immediately after finishing school.
It all depends on the date. If you were admitted to a university before your name was added to the annual draft list, you are entitled to a deferment for one academic term and an additional 9 months afterward. If you enrolled after being added to the list, you will not receive a deferment. Those who ignored the military’s instructions during previous draft cycles will also be out of luck.
If you’ve already been added to the list, it’s too late: the list is generated randomly by a computer program, and there’s no point in trying to change it. You can check your status on the list at karys.lt. For those who wish to combine their studies with military service, programs lasting 90–200 days are available, which are completed in installments over the course of three years.
Example: A young man was admitted to university before being included on the annual list. Eligibility for a deferment is verified based on enrollment documents and current regulations.
The standard age range is 18–22 years old. After a deferment (for school, a child, or guardianship), conscription may occur up to age 23. Those who received a draft notice but failed to report, as well as individuals with in-demand professions, may be conscripted up to age 31.
Special categories: Women are drafted only upon their own request or if they have a college degree in medicine or nursing. People with dual citizenship in countries on a special list are also exempt.
A criminal record alone does not exempt a person from military service. A deferment is granted to suspects and defendants in criminal proceedings, as well as to those serving a sentence that prevents them from serving. A deferment is also granted to those who have served a prison sentence (arrest does not count).
Mortgages, loans, and full-time employment are not listed in the law as grounds for deferment. However, there is a general rule: if military service would cause disproportionate harm to your personal or public interests, and this harm can be avoided by serving at a different time or in a shorter form, a deferment will be granted. You will need to provide documentation to prove this.
Example: A draftee has a mortgage and a stable job. These factors alone do not guarantee anything, but proven harm to a business or family is a valid argument.
A deferment is granted in cases of temporary illness, education, family circumstances, and legal proceedings. It is also granted to members of parliament, judges, prosecutors, and clergy of religious communities. For some of these grounds, there is a caveat: if you yourself have written a statement saying you are ready to serve, you will not receive a deferment.
It also happens that deferrals are granted to everyone at once: for example, if the Secretary of Defense sets a zero draft quota for a year.
Example: After an injury, a draftee needs time to recover. The commission will deem him temporarily unfit and schedule a follow-up examination.
Find your entry in the annual list on karys.lt: it includes your number, the first letter of your first name, your last name, year of birth, length of service, status, and the deadline for submitting documents. Gather your medical records, proof of enrollment, or proof of family status, and submit them on time in person, electronically, or by certified mail. The date of the medical examination is scheduled within 20 business days after the documents are submitted, and any change in status is reflected in the list within 5 business days. Young men must contact the military conscription office within one month of turning 17 and provide their contact information.
You can file a complaint with the Minister of National Defense within 8 business days of receiving the decision, and the minister will review it within 10 business days. You then have another 8 business days to file a lawsuit with the regional administrative court. Filing a complaint does not suspend your service. If the situation is complicated, it’s best to consult a lawyer right away. Official explanations are available on karys.lt, kam.lt, and kariuomene.lt, and you can ask questions in person at the army recruitment office.
To be honest, there’s almost no way. The law doesn’t recognize the term “dodge,” but it certainly recognizes the word “duty”: every citizen is obligated to defend the state, and men are no exception. All the grounds listed in this article apply only if you have valid arguments and supporting documents. Evading the draft, however, carries the risk of administrative and even criminal liability. The only legal workaround is for those who genuinely hold religious or pacifist beliefs: 12 months of alternative service, with the validity of the request assessed by a special commission.
A separate note on health: Don’t count on any medical conditions you had back in school or during your college years. The commission assesses your current condition, and what once exempted you from physical education may turn out to be perfectly manageable for military service. Without recent medical examinations, an old medical certificate is of little use.
There’s no magic button: neither illness, nor a child, nor school, nor a loan will automatically get you an exemption. What matters is a document that confirms a specific legal basis. So gather your paperwork in advance and check karys.lt and kam.lt before the rules change.
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