In the Greek-speaking South, it is mandatory for all male citizens and controversially also some non-citizens to serve in the Cypriot National Guard for 14 months.
All male residents of Cyprus who are of military age (16 and over) are required to obtain an exit visa from the Ministry of Defence.
[2] Enlisting had been optional for members of the Armenian, Maronite, and Roman Catholic minorities, but as of 2008 service was made compulsory for them as well.
An alternative civilian service is not recognized and conscientious objectors face being arrested for refusing to serve in the army.
[6] The European Court of Human Rights ruled in May 2024 that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus was violating Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which provides freedom of thought, conscience and religion, by imprisoning conscientious objectors for refusing their service.