Germany’s new military service law will require most young men to inform the authorities of any stay abroad lasting more than three months, a provision that sparked debate over the weekend after being revealed in the press last week.
An article published on Friday by the Frankfurter Rundschau on this measure triggered a lively debate on social media over the Easter weekend, with many questioning whether it was real and why there had been no public debate when the military service reforms were proposed last year.
The information was picked up by numerous German media outlets over the weekend.
Among the strongest reactions, radical left politician Sahra Wagenknecht on Sunday called for the resignation of German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius. “The fact that men must obtain permission to travel abroad with the Bundeswehr is reminiscent of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) and the time of the Berlin Wall. This has nothing to do with democracy and the liberal democratic order,” she told AFP.
Men aged 17 to 45 “are required to obtain prior authorisation” from the German armed forces for any stay abroad lasting more than three months, a spokesperson for the Defence Ministry confirmed to AFP over the weekend.
Previously limited to crisis situations, the measure has been in force permanently since 1 January 2026, according to reports.
This authorisation will be granted provided that “no specific service as a soldier is scheduled during the period in question,” the spokesperson added.
In practice, requests are generally expected to be approved, as military service remains voluntary under current law.
Officials stressed the provision has “no practical relevance” at present and is not subject to sanctions. The Defence Ministry said the regulation is intended to ensure a reliable record of who may be available for service if needed. “We must know, in case of emergency, who is staying abroad for a longer period,” the spokesperson said.
The requirement covers a wide range of stays abroad, including study programmes, professional commitments and extended travel. The ministry is working on clarifying exemptions and procedures to avoid unnecessary bureaucracy.
“The context and guiding principle of this regulation are to ensure a reliable and complete military service record if needed,” the spokesperson said.
The ministry is currently developing exemptions to the requirement to obtain permission to leave the country, as well as a system for approving requests, in order to “avoid any unnecessary bureaucracy,” according to the spokesperson.
Having entered into force in January, the new military service law aims to encourage more young Germans to volunteer for military training.
Military service remains voluntary, as Germany suspended conscription in 2011.
However, all men aged 18 must now fill in a questionnaire about their interest in military service and undergo medical examinations if requested.
Germany has committed to significantly increasing the size of its professional and reserve armed forces as part of NATO defence plans.
European NATO allies have significantly increased their defence spending since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
