A recently passed amendment to Germany’s military service policy has generated significant controversy after it was revealed that men aged up to 45 must obtain authorization from the military before spending more than three months abroad, even during peacetime. This regulation, which took effect on January 1, is part of a broader initiative aimed at strengthening the military, requiring all young men aged 18 to complete a questionnaire to assess their eligibility for service, though it stops short of reinstating conscription.
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius indicated that if this updated system does not attract a sufficient number of recruits, the Bundestag may need to reconsider the reintroduction of mandatory military service. This legislation was approved by the lower house of the Bundestag last December.
The controversial provision largely went unnoticed until a recent media report highlighted it, stating that men between the ages of 17 and 45 are required to seek approval to leave Germany for extended periods. This regulation could impact millions of German citizens who might be planning activities such as gap years, study abroad programs, job relocations, or sabbaticals.
The defense ministry confirmed the details of this requirement, which was first reported by the Frankfurter Rundschau. A ministry representative explained that the new law aims to lay the groundwork for potential conscription, necessitating knowledge of potential conscripts’ locations in case of emergency situations. “According to the law, males aged 17 and older must seek prior authorization from the appropriate Bundeswehr career center for any stays abroad lasting over three months,” the representative stated, noting that this obligation ceases at age 45.
This policy mandate revives a long-standing rule, requiring permission for extended stays abroad even in stable times. However, the ministry emphasized that, historically, this regulation has had little practical impact. “This regulation was in effect during the Cold War and was not enforced; it does not carry sanctions,” the spokesperson remarked.
While the ministry did not disclose how many individuals have sought permission under this new rule, the spokesperson suggested that obtaining approval for extended time abroad would generally be straightforward, provided that conscription is not implemented and Germany is not facing a security crisis. “We will clarify through administrative guidelines that authorization will be assumed granted as long as military service remains voluntary,” they added, indicating that such requests should typically be approved.
There is still uncertainty regarding the specific procedures that men will need to follow to obtain permission before these relaxed regulations come into play, as well as the timeframe for processing such requests.
The overarching goal of this policy is to boost military personnel numbers to 460,000 by 2035, which includes 260,000 active soldiers and 200,000 reservists. Currently, Germany has 182,000 active soldiers and just under 50,000 reservists.
The previous suspension of compulsory military service in 2011 occurred under Chancellor Angela Merkel’s administration. In light of rising tensions with Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, Chancellor Friedrich Merz aims to establish Germany as having the most robust conventional military force in Europe, particularly amidst concerns regarding the United States’ commitment to European security during Donald Trump’s presidency.
In a move to enhance defense capabilities, Germany last year exempted a majority of defense spending from its constitutional “debt brake” and allocated over €500 billion (£436 billion) for defense initiatives from 2025 to 2029.
