Service national universel

French President Emmanuel Macron implemented the Service national universel (French pronunciation: [sɛʁvis nɑsjɔnal ynivɛʁsɛl]; SNU), the General National Service, which has been optional for all male and female citizens aged 15 to 17 starting in 2021.

The draftees must wear uniform-like clothing, they have to hand over their mobile phones to their supervisors and are placed in collective accommodations far away from their home community.

The daily routine follows a strict schedule: in the morning the anthem is sung at the flag roll call, and afterwards courses must be attended, such as a first aid course, an introduction to the written driver's license test, and learning rules of conduct in the event of a terrorist attack.

The other half of the time has to be fulfilled with assignment in a non-profit organization, the military, the police, or a fire department.

On 16 January 2025, the Senate voted to cut almost the entirety of the SNU's buget, directing 80% of funds toward investment in sports and rendering the program unimplementable.