German men between the ages of 17 and 45 may now be required to obtain official approval before undertaking extended stays outside the country. This new stipulation is part of a recently enacted law that introduced voluntary military service.
The Military Service Modernisation Act, which took effect on January 1st, is intended to strengthen the nation’s defenses. This initiative follows escalating security concerns stemming from Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
A spokesperson from the Ministry of Defence confirmed to the BBC that males aged 17 and above must now secure prior authorization for any absences from Germany exceeding three months. Currently, travel approvals are typically granted, though the mechanisms for enforcing this rule in cases of non-compliance remain unclear.
This requirement for permission largely went unnoticed until it was highlighted by the Frankfurter Rundschau newspaper last Friday. The Ministry of Defence clarified that the regulation is designed to maintain a “reliable and meaningful military registration system.” The spokesperson added, “In the event of an emergency, we must be aware of who might be abroad for an extended duration.”
The ministry also acknowledged that the implications for young men could be significant. They indicated that regulations concerning exemptions are currently being developed, partly to prevent unnecessary administrative burdens.
The legal foundation for this travel notification requirement is rooted in Germany’s 1956 Conscription Act, which has undergone several amendments, most recently in December. Prior to this latest change, the obligation to report extended absences abroad was only activated if Germany was in a state of national defense or mobilization.
A defense ministry official noted that a similar provision was in place during the Cold War but held no practical significance at the time. The Military Service Modernisation Act outlines plans to increase the active military personnel count from approximately 180,000 to 260,000 by the year 2035.
In December, the German parliament approved the introduction of voluntary military service. As of January, all 18-year-olds receive a questionnaire inquiring about their interest in joining the armed forces. Beginning in July 2027, they will also undergo a fitness assessment to determine their eligibility for service in the event of conflict.
Under Germany’s constitution, women have the option to volunteer for military service but cannot be conscripted. The current plan focuses on voluntary enlistment. However, if the security situation deteriorates or if an insufficient number of volunteers come forward, the possibility of a form of compulsory military service may be reconsidered.
Upon the law’s approval by parliament, protests were organized by various young people. One organizer expressed on social media, “We do not want to spend half a year of our lives confined to barracks, undergoing drill and obedience training, and learning to kill.”
Similar to many other European nations, Germany reduced the size of its armed forces during the period of peace in the 1990s. During the Cold War, its army numbered close to half a million personnel. Compulsory military service in Germany was officially abolished in 2011 under Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz has committed to reinforcing the Bundeswehr, aiming to transform it into Europe’s most potent conventional army. This strategic objective is in response to what his government perceives as a more perilous security landscape across the continent.