Most Czechs back return of compulsory military service, but few think the state is ready for a crisis

In brief

• Globsec Trends 2026 finds 63 percent of Czechs support reintroducing compulsory military service.
• Only 24 percent think the Czech Republic is ready for a serious security crisis or war, while 55 percent say they would defend the country.
• Trust in the army is 70 percent, and 54 percent back higher military spending, though 42 percent would accept cuts to health or social welfare to fund it.

Strong backing for conscription

A clear majority of Czechs favour reintroducing compulsory military service, the Globsec Trends 2026 survey shows (Návrat povinné vojenské službu podporuje 63 procent Čechů, 55 procent by zemi bránilo – ČT24) (Опитування: більшість чехів підтримують повернення обов’язкової військової служби – Європейська правда) (Většina Čechů podporuje návrat povinné vojny, Rusko považují za hrozbu – iDNES.cz). The same poll found that 55 percent of respondents would be willing to defend the country if it were attacked (Většina Čechů podporuje návrat vojny, připravenosti státu na krizi ale nevěří – Aktuálně.cz). Support for conscription is therefore higher than the share of people who say they would take up arms, a gap the survey also recorded in Germany, Slovakia and France.

Doubts about state readiness

Far fewer respondents judge the state prepared. Only 24 percent consider the Czech Republic ready for a serious security crisis or war. Personally, 36 percent of Czech respondents said they feel ready for a serious crisis or security emergency.

Comparison with other countries

In an international comparison, the Czech Republic ranks among the countries with the lowest confidence in state readiness. Slovakia recorded 19 percent, Bulgaria 20 percent and Hungary 22 percent. By contrast, 64 percent of Americans and 55 percent of Ukrainians said their country was ready.

Spending and trust in the army

Support for stronger defence also shows up in attitudes toward military spending. Some 54 percent of Czech respondents back increasing it. However, 42 percent would accept cuts to health care or social welfare to pay for it. Trust in the Czech army stands at 70 percent.

Survey details

The survey was conducted by HarrisX using online panels between 11 and 19 May 2026, with 1,010 respondents in the Czech Republic.

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