German men between 17 and 45 are now required to obtain authorisation from the Bundeswehr before spending more than three months abroad, the Defence Ministry confirmed Saturday. The measure, part of the Military Service Modernisation Act, took effect on 1 January and extends a previous rule that applied only during states of tension or war to peacetime.
A ministry spokeswoman said the approval process will generally be automatic while military service remains voluntary. “In an emergency we need to know who is potentially staying abroad for a longer period,” she told German media.
The law applies to approximately 20 million men and covers stays abroad for study, work, or travel exceeding three months. The Defence Ministry acknowledged the change has significant implications and is preparing detailed exemptions to clarify who may be affected.
The requirement came into public focus only recently, more than three months after the law took effect, when the Frankfurter Rundschau reported on it last Friday. Administrative regulations are still being finalised, and the consequences for men who fail to obtain approval remain unclear.
The Military Service Modernisation Act revises a 1986 rule by making the three-month threshold permanent rather than restricted to emergencies. Under the updated law, Section 3, Paragraph 2 of the Conscription Act now applies even outside declared military threats. Germany aims to expand Bundeswehr personnel from roughly 184,000 to between 255,000 and 270,000 by 2035. Mandatory registration remains in place for young men, though service itself is voluntary. Teenagers born in 2008 or later will receive questionnaires assessing their suitability and willingness to serve.
The law has drawn criticism from across the political spectrum for poor communication. Sara Nanni, security policy spokeswoman for the Greens, urged the ministry to clarify citizens’ obligations. Nicole Gohlke, deputy parliamentary group leader of the Left Party, described the measure as “a scandal that shows authoritarianism and militarisation go hand in hand.” Rüdiger Lucassen of the AfD called for a practical solution that avoids unnecessary administrative burdens on young men.
Similar rules exist elsewhere in Europe. Finland, Norway, and Austria require conscripts to remain contactable while abroad, though they do not need explicit approval. Greece imposes stricter rules, with legal consequences for permanent stays abroad without clarified military status. Switzerland mandates reporting for men planning to settle abroad, with duties potentially adjusted, postponed, or replaced by substitute services.
The Bundestag approved the Military Service Modernisation Act on 5 December 2025, and the Bundesrat cleared it on 19 December. Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has set a target of recruiting 20,000 volunteers this year. In 2025, the Bundeswehr recruited 12,286 volunteers, an increase of about 16 percent over the previous year.
