Swiss paramedic faces mandatory military service

A Swiss paramedic, Lukas Brügger, is facing a requirement to complete 100 days of military service, including 43 days retroactively, despite previously being exempt from service due to his profession.

Following a change in regulations effective June 1, 2026, only paramedics in leadership roles can qualify for military service exemptions. This regulatory shift has created difficulties for trained professionals who previously held exemptions, potentially exacerbating existing labor shortages within the emergency medical services sector.