Estonia is considering legal changes that would allow citizens from other NATO member states to take part in the country’s national defense through the Estonian Defense League.

Under the proposal, NATO citizens who are members of the Defense League would be given a clear opt-in pathway to perform voluntary military service obligations and occupy wartime roles that require holding a military rank. The measure is not conscription for NATO citizens: participation would be entirely voluntary for those over 18 who have taken the military oath.

The changes are intended to strengthen readiness of both the Defense League and Estonia’s armed forces by improving the legal basis for appointing NATO citizens to wartime positions. Officials say this would support better planning for training, command structures, and equipment distribution during crises.

The legislation would also expand the potential role of Defense League supporting members (toetajaliige), allowing them to take part more broadly in crisis and emergency tasks.

A legal analysis cited in the reporting notes that the explanatory memorandum does not quantify how many foreign citizens might be needed, and points to practical questions such as language requirements and who would conduct background checks to confirm they meet the requirements in the Defense League Act.