Poland Ministry of National Defence proposes 2027 military service limits

The Polish Ministry of National Defence is preparing a draft regulation to set military service limits for 2027. A key component of the plan is increasing the limit for professional military service to 20,000 people, an increase of 6,500 compared to 2026. Additionally, the draft provides for up to 35,000 positions in voluntary basic military service and maintains a limit of 40,000 for territorial military service.

The regulation also establishes a maximum limit of 200,000 people who may be called for military exercises, though this figure represents a maximum threshold rather than a guaranteed number of summons. For passive reservists, annual exercises may last up to 90 days. The draft notes a decrease in limits for the active reserve, set at 8,700 people.

Regarding labor rights, employees called for military exercises are entitled to unpaid leave while retaining employment rights, excluding the right to a salary from their employer. To mitigate income loss, reservists can apply for compensation based on their gross salary, which is partially offset by the military allowance received during service. This compensation is a statutory right rather than a discretionary decision, provided the soldier submits the necessary documentation of lost income.