{"id":1865813,"date":"2026-04-04T15:09:45","date_gmt":"2026-04-04T12:09:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1865813"},"modified":"2026-04-04T15:09:45","modified_gmt":"2026-04-04T12:09:45","slug":"germany-seeks-to-recruit-80000-more-active-soldiers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1865813","title":{"rendered":"Germany seeks to recruit 80,000 more active soldiers"},"content":{"rendered":"

[analyse_image type=”featured” src=”https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76525081_6.jpg”]<\/p>\n

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https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5BfSn<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n
Germany aims to raise the number of active-duty soldiers from roughly 180,000 at present to 260,000 by 2035Image: Federico Gambarini\/dpa\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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A new military service law took effect in Germany<\/a> at the start of 2026 aimed at boosting the strength of the armed forces<\/a> amid threats to European security in the wake of Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

The legislation was contentious<\/a> and many people even\u00a0took to the streets<\/a> to protest\u00a0the\u00a0potential reintroduction of mandatory military service<\/a>\u00a0\u2014 after conscription was suspended in 2011 \u2014 for men.<\/p>\n

But another provision in the law has so far gone largely unnoticed.<\/p>\n

It relates to a requirement for men between the ages of 18 and 46 to “obtain an approval from the relevant Bundeswehr Career Center if they wish to leave the Federal Republic of Germany for more than three months.”<\/p>\n

The\u00a0Frankfurter Rundschau<\/em>, which reported on the provision on Friday, said the rule would apply regardless of whether a German man “planned a semester of studying abroad, working in a foreign country or going on a backpacking trip around the world.”<\/p>\n

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Germany seeks to recruit 80,000 more active soldiers<\/h2>\n

What’s the German military’s take on it?<\/h2>\n

A\u00a0Bundeswehr\u00a0spokesperson confirmed the report, telling the DPA news agency that in the event of a war breaking out, the military needed to know how many men were living long-term outside the country.\u00a0<\/p>\n

While the law requires men to request the permit, the spokesperson clarified, it also obliges the military career center to issue it, if “no specific military service is expected during the period in question.\u201d<\/p>\n

“Since military service under current law is based exclusively on voluntary participation, such permissions must generally be granted,\u201d the official added.<\/p>\n

Acknowledging the “profound” impact of the amended conscription law, the Defense Ministry said it is working on new rules for exceptions to the exit permit requirement.<\/p>\n

It’s unclear what consequences men who leave the country for longer than three months without the proper permit will face.\u00a0<\/p>\n

When asked, the ministry spokesperson pointed out that “the regulation was already in place during the Cold War and had no practical relevance; in particular, there are no penalties for violating it.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Germany agrees on conscription framework<\/h2>\n

What to know about the new military service law<\/h2>\n

The new law that took effect on January 1, the so-called Military Service Modernization Act, aims to raise the number of active-duty soldiers<\/a> from roughly 180,000 men and women at present to 260,000 by 2035.<\/p>\n

The legislation laid down the path to reach that goal.<\/p>\n

Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s governing coalition was divided over compulsory military service.<\/p>\n

After heated debates, they finally agreed on a compromise, deciding that military service would remain voluntary for the time being.<\/p>\n

At the same time, starting from this year, all men turning 18<\/a> will have to fill out a form answering questions about their education, health status and willingness to serve in the armed forces.<\/p>\n

For women, answering the questions is voluntary, as they cannot be required to perform military service under the Constitution.<\/p>\n

From mid-2027, all men turning 18 will also be required to appear for a fitness test to determine who could be drafted in the event of conflict \u2014 a highly controversial measure that has been slammed by critics as a first step towards full conscription.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Edited by: Sean Sinico<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n

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A new military service law took effect in Germany<\/a> at the start of 2026 aimed at boosting the strength of the armed forces<\/a> amid threats to European security in the wake of Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

The legislation was contentious<\/a> and many people even\u00a0took to the streets<\/a> to protest\u00a0the\u00a0potential reintroduction of mandatory military service<\/a>\u00a0\u2014 after conscription was suspended in 2011 \u2014 for men.<\/p>\n

But another provision in the law has so far gone largely unnoticed.<\/p>\n

It relates to a requirement for men between the ages of 18 and 46 to “obtain an approval from the relevant Bundeswehr Career Center if they wish to leave the Federal Republic of Germany for more than three months.”<\/p>\n

The\u00a0Frankfurter Rundschau<\/em>, which reported on the provision on Friday, said the rule would apply regardless of whether a German man “planned a semester of studying abroad, working in a foreign country or going on a backpacking trip around the world.”<\/p>\n

\n

Germany seeks to recruit 80,000 more active soldiers<\/h2>\n

What’s the German military’s take on it?<\/h2>\n

A\u00a0Bundeswehr\u00a0spokesperson confirmed the report, telling the DPA news agency that in the event of a war breaking out, the military needed to know how many men were living long-term outside the country.\u00a0<\/p>\n

While the law requires men to request the permit, the spokesperson clarified, it also obliges the military career center to issue it, if “no specific military service is expected during the period in question.\u201d<\/p>\n

“Since military service under current law is based exclusively on voluntary participation, such permissions must generally be granted,\u201d the official added.<\/p>\n

Acknowledging the “profound” impact of the amended conscription law, the Defense Ministry said it is working on new rules for exceptions to the exit permit requirement.<\/p>\n

It’s unclear what consequences men who leave the country for longer than three months without the proper permit will face.\u00a0<\/p>\n

When asked, the ministry spokesperson pointed out that “the regulation was already in place during the Cold War and had no practical relevance; in particular, there are no penalties for violating it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

Germany agrees on conscription framework<\/h2>\n

What to know about the new military service law<\/h2>\n

The new law that took effect on January 1, the so-called Military Service Modernization Act, aims to raise the number of active-duty soldiers<\/a> from roughly 180,000 men and women at present to 260,000 by 2035.<\/p>\n

The legislation laid down the path to reach that goal.<\/p>\n

Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s governing coalition was divided over compulsory military service.<\/p>\n

After heated debates, they finally agreed on a compromise, deciding that military service would remain voluntary for the time being.<\/p>\n

At the same time, starting from this year, all men turning 18<\/a> will have to fill out a form answering questions about their education, health status and willingness to serve in the armed forces.<\/p>\n

For women, answering the questions is voluntary, as they cannot be required to perform military service under the Constitution.<\/p>\n

From mid-2027, all men turning 18 will also be required to appear for a fitness test to determine who could be drafted in the event of conflict \u2014 a highly controversial measure that has been slammed by critics as a first step towards full conscription.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Edited by: Sean Sinico<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

A new military service law took effect in Germany<\/a> at the start of 2026 aimed at boosting the strength of the armed forces<\/a> amid threats to European security in the wake of Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

The legislation was contentious<\/a> and many people even\u00a0took to the streets<\/a> to protest\u00a0the\u00a0potential reintroduction of mandatory military service<\/a>\u00a0\u2014 after conscription was suspended in 2011 \u2014 for men.<\/p>\n

But another provision in the law has so far gone largely unnoticed.<\/p>\n

It relates to a requirement for men between the ages of 18 and 46 to “obtain an approval from the relevant Bundeswehr Career Center if they wish to leave the Federal Republic of Germany for more than three months.”<\/p>\n

The\u00a0Frankfurter Rundschau<\/em>, which reported on the provision on Friday, said the rule would apply regardless of whether a German man “planned a semester of studying abroad, working in a foreign country or going on a backpacking trip around the world.”<\/p>\n

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video<\/a><\/p>\n

A\u00a0Bundeswehr\u00a0spokesperson confirmed the report, telling the DPA news agency that in the event of a war breaking out, the military needed to know how many men were living long-term outside the country.\u00a0<\/p>\n

While the law requires men to request the permit, the spokesperson clarified, it also obliges the military career center to issue it, if “no specific military service is expected during the period in question.\u201d<\/p>\n

“Since military service under current law is based exclusively on voluntary participation, such permissions must generally be granted,\u201d the official added.<\/p>\n

Acknowledging the “profound” impact of the amended conscription law, the Defense Ministry said it is working on new rules for exceptions to the exit permit requirement.<\/p>\n

It’s unclear what consequences men who leave the country for longer than three months without the proper permit will face.\u00a0<\/p>\n

When asked, the ministry spokesperson pointed out that “the regulation was already in place during the Cold War and had no practical relevance; in particular, there are no penalties for violating it.\u201d<\/p>\n

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video<\/a><\/p>\n

The new law that took effect on January 1, the so-called Military Service Modernization Act, aims to raise the number of active-duty soldiers<\/a> from roughly 180,000 men and women at present to 260,000 by 2035.<\/p>\n

The legislation laid down the path to reach that goal.<\/p>\n

Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s governing coalition was divided over compulsory military service.<\/p>\n

After heated debates, they finally agreed on a compromise, deciding that military service would remain voluntary for the time being.<\/p>\n

At the same time, starting from this year, all men turning 18<\/a> will have to fill out a form answering questions about their education, health status and willingness to serve in the armed forces.<\/p>\n

For women, answering the questions is voluntary, as they cannot be required to perform military service under the Constitution.<\/p>\n

From mid-2027, all men turning 18 will also be required to appear for a fitness test to determine who could be drafted in the event of conflict \u2014 a highly controversial measure that has been slammed by critics as a first step towards full conscription.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Edited by: Sean Sinico<\/em><\/p>\n

[analyse_source url=”https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/german-men-need-military-permit-for-extended-stays-abroad\/a-76662677″]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[analyse_image type=”featured” src=”https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76525081_6.jpg”] https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5BfSn Germany aims to raise the number of active-duty soldiers from roughly 180,000 at present to 260,000 by 2035Image: Federico Gambarini\/dpa\/picture alliance A new military service law took effect in Germany at the start of 2026 aimed at boosting the strength of the armed forces amid threats to European security in the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,74],"class_list":["post-1865813","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-dw-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1865813","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1865813"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1865813\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1865813"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1865813"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1865813"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}