Conscription in the Netherlands

Conscription in the Netherlands (Dutch: dienstplicht) was first employed in 1810 by French occupying forces.

Napoleon's brother Louis Bonaparte, who was King of Holland from 1806 to 1810, had tried to introduce conscription a few years earlier, unsuccessfully.

For various reasons, this forced military service was criticized at the end of the twentieth century.

Even though it is generally thought that conscription has been abolished in the Netherlands, this perception is, in fact, incorrect.

The laws and systems which provide for the conscription of armed forces personnel still remain in place.