The answer: more than 1.4 million military personnel in the EU in 2025
In brief 2025 figures
The 27 European Union countries had more than 1.4 million active-duty personnel in 2025. Expanding the scope to European NATO (excluding the United States and Canada, but including Turkey and the United Kingdom), the figure exceeds 2 million. Poland has Europe's largest army by troop numbers (202,000), while France ranks first in the EU (200,000+ including the Gendarmerie). The combined defense budget of European NATO members was $460 billion in 2024.
How many military personnel are there in Europe? The answer depends on the scope used. In the European Union alone (27 countries), there were more than 1.4 million active-duty personnel in 2025, according to data from Global Firepower and Touteleurope.eu. Expanding the scope to European NATO, which includes the United Kingdom and Turkey but excludes the United States and Canada, the figure exceeds 2 million.
The war in Ukraine, launched by Russia in February 2022, has profoundly transformed perceptions of defense in Europe. Since then, nearly all European countries have increased their military budgets and troop numbers, some, such as Poland, spectacularly so. The target of devoting 2% of GDP to defense, long ignored by most Europeans, is now considered a minimum.
Ranking of European countries by military personnel (2025)
Here is the ranking of the main European countries by number of active-duty personnel, along with their reservists and defense budget as a percentage of GDP.
| # | Country | Active-duty personnel | Reservists | % of GDP spent on defense |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Poland | 202 000 | 350 000 | 4%+ |
| 2 | France (EU No. 1) | 200 000 | 41 000 | 2% |
| 3 | Germany | 181 600 | 33 000 | 2% |
| 4 | Italy | 165 500 | 18 000 | 1,5% |
| 5 | Greece | 142 700 | N/A | 2,5% |
| 6 | Spain | 133 282 | N/A | 1,3% |
| 7 | Romania | 81 300 | 55 000 | 2,5% |
| 8 | Turkey (NATO) | 355 200 | 378 700 | 2,4% |
| 9 | United Kingdom | 149 000 | 37 000 | 2,3% |
| 10 | Finland | 30 800 | 285 000 | 2,4% |
Sources: Global Firepower 2026 | Touteleurope.eu, February 2026 | CNews, January 2026 | Euronews, September 2025.
A closer look at the most notable cases
Poland: the most spectacular military buildup
With 202,000 active-duty personnel and 350,000 reservists, Poland has become Europe's largest army by troop numbers. The country devotes more than 4% of its GDP to defense—the highest level in NATO. Directly bordering Russia (via Kaliningrad) and Belarus, Poland has made military security an absolute priority since 2022. It plans to reach 300,000 active-duty personnel by 2035.
France: 1st in the EU in overall military power
With 200,000 active-duty personnel (264,000 including the Gendarmerie) and the EU’s only independent nuclear deterrent, France remains the European Union’s most comprehensive military power. It has Europe’s only nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and forces deployed across every continent. In December 2025, Emmanuel Macron announced an operational voluntary military service program for 2026, aimed at increasing the number of reservists to 80,000 by 2030.
Finland: the model of the large reserve force
With only 30,800 professional soldiers but 285,000 reservists available for mobilization, Finland represents a unique model in Europe. Having maintained mandatory military service without interruption, it can assemble a combat force of more than 280,000 personnel within a few days. Since joining NATO in 2023, it has been considered one of the countries best prepared for Russian aggression.
Germany: the paradox of the underarmed giant
With 181,600 soldiers for a population of 84 million, Germany has one of Europe’s most undersized armies relative to its size. The Bundeswehr has suffered from decades of underinvestment. Since 2022, Berlin has announced a historic rearmament plan with €100 billion in special funds and the goal of reaching 2% of GDP.
Can Europe stand up to Russia?
This is the question all experts have been asking since the invasion of Ukraine. In its November 2025 study, IFRI compares the combined forces of the 30 European NATO countries with Moscow’s capabilities. The conclusion is nuanced: Europeans have the potential needed to face Russia by 2030, provided they demonstrate political will.
In terms of active-duty personnel and reservists, NATO’s European forces collectively comprise around 2 million soldiers, compared with 1.5 million active Russian soldiers. But this comparison conceals a reality: European armies are fragmented across 27 national commands, with no common doctrine or perfect interoperability.
Key takeaway
European advantage: clear air superiority (1,500 European fighter aircraft versus fewer than 1,000 Russian ones), along with the technological and qualitative superiority of the equipment. Russian advantage: unified command, battlefield experience in Ukraine, and superiority in artillery and tactical ballistic missiles.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Is there a common European army?
No, there is no European army in the strict sense. The EU has multinational battlegroups and a 5,000-soldier rapid reaction force since 2025, but these forces remain under national command. The idea of a unified European army is advancing very slowly due to national resistance.
Which European countries have mandatory military service?
In 2025, ten European countries maintain mandatory military service: Austria, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, Denmark, Sweden, and Croatia. France is considering voluntary operational military service in 2026, not mandatory. Poland and Germany are also discussing reforms to strengthen their reserves.
Is European military spending sufficient?
According to NATO data, the combined military spending of European Alliance members amounted to $460 billion in 2024, a significant increase. However, many experts believe that Europe must accelerate its rearmament further, particularly in the areas of ammunition, air defense, and heavy ground forces.
Conclusion
How many military personnel are there in Europe? In 2025, the European Union has more than 1.4 million active military personnel, and nearly 2 million when including the broader NATO area. Poland has Europe's largest army by personnel, while France ranks first in the EU in overall military power. The war in Ukraine has prompted a collective awakening: after decades of underinvestment, European countries are massively increasing their defense budgets to build credible autonomous defenses against the Russian threat.
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