Most Czechs support restoring compulsory military service, survey finds

Almost two-thirds of Czechs support bringing back compulsory military service, according to the Globsec Trends 2026 survey, whose findings were presented Friday.

The poll found 63 percent support restoring conscription, while 55 percent say they would be willing to defend their country if it were attacked.

Confidence in national preparedness was considerably lower. Just 24 percent considered Czechia ready for a serious security crisis or war, while 36 percent felt personally prepared for a major crisis or security emergency.

The findings measure public attitudes; they do not constitute a decision or proposal to reintroduce compulsory service.

Czech respondents broadly supported strengthening national defense, although willingness declined when spending increases involved trade-offs.

Some 54 percent backed higher military expenditure, falling to 42 percent if the increase required cuts to areas such as healthcare or social security.

Trust in the Czech military was stronger, at 70 percent.

The gap between support for compulsory service and personal willingness to defend the country was not unique to Czechia. Researchers recorded a similar pattern in Germany, Slovakia and France.

Czechia also ranked among the surveyed countries with relatively low confidence in state preparedness. The corresponding figures were 19 percent in Slovakia, 20 percent in Bulgaria and 22 percent in Hungary.

By comparison, 64 percent of U.S. respondents and 55 percent of Ukrainian respondents considered their countries prepared.

The survey found substantial support for both NATO membership and stronger European defense capabilities.

In a hypothetical referendum, 77 percent of Czech respondents would vote to remain in NATO. Two-thirds believed membership reduced the likelihood of a foreign attack.

Meanwhile, 79 percent supported developing military capabilities within the EU alongside NATO, and 61 percent favored creating a European army.

Attitudes toward the United States were more complicated. Only 27 percent supported greater U.S. involvement in European security, among the lowest shares in the countries surveyed.

At the same time, just 45 percent believed European states could ensure their security without strong American support.

Russia was considered a national security threat by 67 percent of Czech respondents, close to the survey-wide average of 68 percent.

A further 53 percent identified Iran as a threat, while 45 percent said the same about China.

Among the Central and Eastern European countries surveyed, only Ukraine recorded higher shares viewing China and Iran as security threats. The researchers linked Czech concerns about China partly to longstanding warnings from Czech authorities about cyberattacks and influence operations.

HarrisX conducted the survey through online panels in 14 European and North American countries between May 11 and 19, 2026. The Czech sample included 1,010 respondents, meaning the findings reflect attitudes in May rather than developments since then.