Poland wants to summon more than 300,000 reservists, recruits and volunteers

O project predicts 20,000 new vacancies in professional military service — 6,500 more than last year — plus 200,000 reservists and 83,700 auxiliary body elements.

The Defense measure includes the convening of more than 200,000 citizens to assess their capabilities and assign them to a military unit if a mobilization occurs.

This is the largest call in recent years and will affect men and women up to the age of 60, who will be present at the recruitment centre designated to have their physical skills and knowledge evaluated. After that, they will become reservists and will be temporarily assigned to a military corps.

The unjustified lack or refusal to attend the summons may imply from a fine to the search and coercive conduct by the police, under the Homeland Defense Act.

In addition, if it is considered appropriate, some of these reservists should undergo training up to 90 consecutive days.

This strategy reinforces Warsaw's ambition after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 to build Europe's strongest ground army.

According to data from the Ministry of Defense, the Polish Armed Forces already outnumber 220,000 personnel, compared to the 130,000 before the war. The goal is to reach the mark of the 300,000 military in active and up to 500,000, adding the reserves by 2039.

To finance the increase in the military personnel, the defense budget is 4.8% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2026, compared to 4.7% of last year.

For 2027, the Polish state estimates an expenditure of approximately 4.5%.