Law no. 226 of 23rd August 2004 (G.U. no. 24 of 31.08.2004) provides for early suspension of compulsory military service – from 1st January 2005 – and the establishment of professional military service.
Italian nationals who intend to repatriate to do voluntary military service cannot take advantage of the benefits under law 433/66, which governs the repatriation, the cost of which is State-funded, only for military purposes.