How does Finland's reserve work, and who belongs to it?

Finland's reserve consists of conscripts who have completed their service and remain in the reserve up to the age limit. The age limit is 65 for those born in 1966 and later, and refresher exercises are assigned only to reservists who have a wartime position.

Who is liable for conscription

Under the Constitution, every Finnish citizen is obliged to take part in national defence. Conscription applies to Finnish men. Women can apply for voluntary military service. The application period ends on 15 January, and an information and selection event is held in April.

Service lengths

A conscript serves either armed or unarmed, and the length of service depends on the role.

Non-military service lasts 347 days. Source: Finnish Defence Forces, Finnish conscription system.

After service, into the reserve

Those who complete service move into the reserve. They remain there up to the age limit, and a reservist can be called up for refresher exercises. Refresher training is limited to a maximum of 80 or 150 days for rank-and-file and a maximum of 200 days for NCOs and officers.

The call-up does not go to everyone. Refresher exercises will continue to be assigned only to reservists who have a wartime position. What happens after the call-up arrives is covered in a separate guide: A refresher exercise call-up has arrived, what happens next?

The upper age limit rose to 65

Before the change, rank-and-file remained in the reserve until 50, and NCOs and officers until 60. From the start of 2026, reservists remain until the end of the year they turn 65. The change applies to all conscripts born in 1966 and later.

Over a five-year transition period the reserve grows by 125,000 conscripts and reaches about one million people in 2031. Source: Finnish Government, Finland to raise reservist age limit to 65 years as of 2026.

The reserve and the wartime strength are different numbers

The current wartime strength is 280,000 soldiers, and it does not change with the age limit. The reserve is larger than that, because not every reservist has a wartime position. The purpose of the higher age limit is to keep key reservists, such as experienced trainers and specialists in communications and medical roles, available to the Defence Forces in exceptional circumstances as well. Source: Ruotuväki, raising the reserve upper age limit (in Finnish).

What to remember

• Reservists remain in the reserve until they are 65 if born in 1966 or later.
• Only those with a wartime position are called to refresher exercises.
• The size of the reserve and the wartime strength are different things.

Consumables are often forgotten from packing lists: Consumables are forgotten from kit lists. Garments are made to order: Hoodies.