Germany intends to reverse chronic under-recruitment by raising active Bundeswehr personnel from 183,000 to 260,000 by the early 2030s and doubling reservists to 200,000. The cabinet approved the draft law requiring mandatory military registration questionnaires for men at age 18 while keeping military service voluntary. Positive respondents will be invited to medical fitness examinations, which become obligatory for men from July 2027 even if they opt out of service. Conscription remains constitutionally possible but was suspended in 2011 and previously applied to men only. The Ministry of Defense seeks updated data on eligible men to inform recruitment and training plans.
They also want the number of reservists to double in that time, with a goal of 200,000. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius of the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) called the law "a giant step forward." Chancellor Friedrich Merz of the center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) expressed confidence in the draft, sure that the targeted personnel numbers were within reach.
Under the new law, which still must be approved by parliament, military service itself remains voluntary. Nevertheless, the new law includes an obligation for all men to fill out a questionnaire when they turn 18. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video In Germany, conscription is enshrined in the constitution, but it was suspended in 2011.
It could be reinstated, but only in its previous form, which allowed only for men to be drafted, while military service remains voluntary for women. So the new questionnaire will be mandatory for men only. Young people who respond positively to the questionnaire will be invited to attend a medical examination to assess their fitness for service. Beginning in July 2027, the examination will become obligatory for men, even if they opt out of serving.
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