Military service, civilian service and civil protection service

In Switzerland, military service is compulsory. Every Swiss man must do service, usually from about the age of 19 and up to a certain age. For Swiss women, military service is voluntary. Foreigners without Swiss citizenship do not have to do any service. The army protects the country and also helps in disasters.

Anyone who is fit for military service but cannot reconcile armed service with their conscience may do civilian service. So civilian service is a substitute for military service. It lasts one and a half times as long. People doing civilian service work, for example, in hospitals, care homes, schools or in environmental protection.

Anyone who is not fit for military service but is fit for civil protection does civil protection service. Civil protection helps in disasters and emergencies. Anyone who does no service at all pays a substitute charge every year, the military service exemption tax. It is three percent of taxable income, but at least 400 francs. Anyone who is doing service receives money from the income compensation scheme for that time.