Germany's Bundestag has voted to reintroduce a form of voluntary military service, a measure aimed at strengthening national defenses following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
New Military Service Framework
The changes, effective from January 2026, will require all 18-year-old men in Germany to receive a questionnaire inquiring about their interest and willingness to join the armed forces. For women, this questionnaire will be voluntary. The government intends for service to remain voluntary; however, starting July 2027, all 18-year-old men will undergo a mandatory medical examination to assess their fitness for potential military service. Defence Minister Boris Pistorius stated that universal medical examinations are necessary to efficiently determine who is operationally capable as a homeland protector in the event of an attack.
Military Expansion Goals
Germany's army, the Bundeswehr, currently comprises approximately 182,000 troops. Minister Pistorius has outlined a plan to increase this number by 20,000 over the next year. The long-term objective is to raise the total number of soldiers to 260,000 by the early 2030s, complemented by about 200,000 reservists. These targets are designed to meet new NATO force requirements and enhance Germany's defense capabilities. Incentives for voluntary service include a monthly salary of approximately €2,600.
Historical Context and International Comparisons
Germany abolished compulsory military service in 2011. The size of its military decreased significantly after the end of the Cold War, during which it had an army of nearly 500,000. This current policy shift follows Chancellor Friedrich Merz's stated goal of developing Europe's strongest conventional army. The Bundestag vote passed with 323 votes in favor and 272 against, making Germany the latest European nation to revise its military service policies. France, for example, announced last month its intention to introduce 10 months of voluntary military training for 18- and 19-year-olds.
Public Response
Protests against the reintroduction of military service occurred across Germany, including student strikes in multiple cities. A demonstration also took place outside the Bundestag during the vote.
Concurrent Legislative Action
Concurrently, the Bundestag voted on a pension reform bill, a key component of the ruling coalition's agreement. This bill aims to maintain the state pension at current levels until 2031.