reserva de recrutamento
Published 8 November 2026, 20:40
reserva de recrutamento — recruitment reserve
The status a citizen is placed in automatically after National Defence Day if they have not volunteered for service: they remain on the list until the last day of the year in which they turn 35. It requires nothing on your part: no reporting for duty, check-ins or renewals.
Where you come across it. After National Defence Day and up to the age of 35.
People are called up from the reserve only in an emergency draft, which is announced by decree-law with at least 60 days' notice; service lasts four months and can be extended to 12. No such draft has been announced since 2004. You are still obliged to report a change of address.
Official website: diariodarepublica.pt/dr/legislacao-consolidada/lei/1999-884567293