A European country warns residents: in case of war, civilian property could be confiscated by the national army
Norway warns its citizens that their property could be used by the military in the event of a conflict. The move is part of a program to prepare society and the military for the most serious security threats since World War II.
Norwegian soldiers PHOTO: Armed Forces/Forsvaret
Tens of thousands of people will receive letters later this month warning them that their property – including buildings, boats or machinery – could be requisitioned in wartime situations.
According to a statement from the Norwegian Army, “requisitions allow the armed forces, in war situations, access to the resources necessary for the defense of the country”.
For 2026, approximately 13,500 applications are expected, according to lefigaro.
Officials stress that these letters have no practical effect in peacetime and serve only to inform owners that their property could be used in the event of conflict.
State-issued applications are valid for one year, and about two-thirds of them are renewals of applications from previous years.
“Our society must be prepared to cope security crises and, in the worst cases, war. We began a massive increase in military and civilian training. Letters sent to owners reinforce preparedness and reduce uncertainty about resource allocation in case of crisis or war”reported General Anders Jernberg, head of the Armed Forces Logistics Organization (FLO).
Norway, located on the border with Russia, plays a strategic role within NATO in the Far North. The country shares a 198 km land border and a sea border with Russia, and regional tensions have led to an increase in military preparedness.
