Europe and Eurasia: A - F

Albania

There were no reports of under-18s serving in the armed forces.

Andorra

The defence of Andorra was the responsibility of France and Spain; Andorra had no armed forces.

Armenia

There were no reports of under-18s on active duty in the armed forces, but cadets under 18 in military higher education were considered to be military personnel. Under a pilot scheme children as young as 11 received weapons training in school.

Austria

Voluntary recruitment was allowed for 17-year-olds. The precise number of under-18s in the armed forces was not available. Legislation ruled out the participation of under-18s in active service.

Azerbaijan

Under-18s could volunteer to join the armed forces as cadets at military school.

Belarus

Under-18s entering military training institutions from the age of 13 were entitled to the social benefits of military servicemen and obliged to accept military discipline.

Belgium

Belgium backed a “straight-18” position, but had yet to amend its national legislation to exclude the possibility of under-18s serving in the armed forces. Legislation ruled out the deployment of under-18s in hostilities at all times.

Bosnia-Herzegovina

There were no reports of under-18s serving in the armed forces.

Bulgaria

There were no reports of under-18s in the armed forces.

Croatia

There were no reports of under-18s serving in the armed forces.

Cyprus

The minimum voluntary recruitment age was believed to be 17, but it was not known whether under-18s were serving in the armed forces.

Czech Republic

There were no reports of under-18s in the armed forces.

Denmark

There were no reports of under-18s in the armed forces.

Finland

There were no reports of under-18s in the armed forces.

France

While in its 2006 report to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child France stated there were no under-18s in the Foreign Legion, revised 2005 legislation still fixed the minimum age of recruitment to it at 17, with consent from their “legal representative”.

Estonia

Seventeen-year-olds could be liable for call-up but active combat duties were reserved for those aged 18 and over. Under-18s could volunteer for the National Defence League which provided weapons training.