Freiberga: Youths ignoring Latvia's defence service summons face growing fines
A State Defence Service official says most young people join voluntarily, but those who ignore mandatory summons can accumulate administrative fines reaching thousands of euros.
Speaking on TV24's programme "Preses klubs," Aija Freiberga, deputy director of the State Defence Service department, urged the public not to overdramatise the situation of young people who fail to respond to mandatory service summons. She noted that 80–90% of participants join the service voluntarily, adding that interest among volunteers has recently been so high that the application period had to be reopened.
Why some don't respond
Freiberga explained that not everyone who fails to respond does so deliberately. Some do not live at their declared address and never physically receive the summons. Others have requested a deferral due to studies or living abroad, with their cases still under review, while some do not meet the health requirements. She recommended young people set up an official e-address so notifications, including summonses, reach them faster.
Fines can add up
Each failure to appear can result in an administrative fine of up to 750 euros, and up to four summonses can be issued within a year. Since the service obligation applies to people up to age 27, the total fine amount can become substantial over time. Unpaid fines are forwarded to bailiffs, who may add further costs. Freiberga acknowledged that several thousand people from the first call-up already have unpaid administrative fines for failing to fulfil their obligation, though she did not give an exact figure.
Service still open to latecomers
Freiberga stressed that the service remains accommodating toward young people who initially failed to respond, though any accumulated fines still must be paid. After being summoned by the military police to explain their absence, some young people reconsider their stance and come to see the obligation more seriously. She added that current fine levels are not final — if the trend continues, penalties could be reviewed, drawing on other countries' experience. Still, she emphasised that the State Defence Service is not meant to function as a punitive mechanism, but rather as an expression of patriotism, duty and shared responsibility for national security.
