German government announces new military service law

The German government has drafted a new law that will oblige certain groups to undergo medical examinations in the hope that they will join the German army (Bundeswehr). The first changes will be implemented on January 1, 2026.

Germany agrees on compulsory military service draft

Members of the German cabinet have agreed upon a draft law which would make military service compulsory for some groups of people. The decision comes amid ever-rising tensions between Germany, other NATO countries and Russia.

The first change will be implemented on January 1, 2026. From this date, all young German citizens residing in Germany will receive an online questionnaire on their 18th birthday. Young men will be obliged to fill out and return the questionnaire, but it will be optional for young women.

The questionnaire will ask 18-year-olds about their interest in joining the German Bundeswehr, their fitness levels, skills and interests. Respondents considered suitable will then be invited to an optional medical examination.

However, from January 1, 2027, respondents considered suitable will be obliged to attend the medical examination. The aim of the new law is for the German government and army to establish an overview of potentially willing soldiers.

However, before it can become law, the draft must go to the Bundestag, where it will be debated, and details will likely be amended. Then, a final draft will face a vote.

Germany’s previous compulsory military service model was scrapped by then-Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) in 2011. The number of Bundeswehr recruits consequently plummeted, shrinking to 181.500 soldiers in 2023. Germany must have 460.000 soldiers at the ready according to NATO defence targets.

Merz says Russia will remain a threat “for a long time”

After a cabinet discussion in “the submarine”, the Bundestag’s surveillance-proofed meeting room, Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) and Defence Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) announced the new law at a press conference.

"Russia is - and will remain for a long time to come - the greatest threat to freedom, peace and stability in Europe,” Merz told journalists, stressing that Europe’s most populous country "must have the largest conventional army on the European side of NATO".

Alongside changes to the military service law, the CDU-SPD cabinet approved a decision for Germany to establish a new national security council, as well as methods for better protecting the Bundeswehr from cyber attacks and sabotage.

Speaking to RND, Norbert Röttgen (CDU) stated that the draft is insufficient for expanding Germany’s military capabilities and noted that the plan differs from Sweden’s military model, which the government referenced in its coalition agreement.

Greens parliamentary whip Katharina Dröge said the law change would be a “declaration of mistrust” to young people in Germany, and added that her party would not vote in favour when it comes to the Bundestag floor. The Greens are instead in favour of a voluntary model similar to that of Sweden.

A small anti-war and disarmament demonstration organised by Rheinmetall Entwaffnen was also held outside the government offices. The group has planned several actions for the coming weeks.