Pretence or Preparedness? Germany`s New Military Service

Germany has pledged to make the Bundeswehr the strongest conventional army in Europe. As part of this effort, the Bundestag has passed a law on a new—and already controversial—military service model. What will this mean for Germany’s young people?

Ending a decade without any armed forces, which had been abolished by the Allied Control Council, West Germany both joined NATO and established the Bundeswehr in November 1955. Following intense debates in the Bundestag, compulsory military service was reintroduced in July 1956 by the Conscription Act, supported by conservative Chancellor Adenauer (CDU/CSU) among others, but criticised by Social Democrats (SPD), trade unions, and churches who feared a remilitarisation of society and a delay or even a hindrance of reunification with East Germany.

Opinions also differed on whether the Bundeswehr should be a voluntary army or an army based on compulsory military service. Supporters of the latter pointed out that this was needed to fulfil West Germany’s responsibilities and to reach NATO`s required number of 500 000 soldiers. A concern was that a purely professional army would create a state within the state, already an issue during the Weimar Republic. A constant number of conscripts was meant to ensure a reciprocal exchange between society and the army.

1955 – 1989: Service as a Key Factor in the Cold War

The Conscription Act of July 1956 envisaged that all capable men between 18 and 45 would be required to serve for 12 months (18 months between 1962 and 1972). Conscientious objection was possible with the mandatory alternative of unarmed service in the Bundeswehr or a civilian institution. However, there was a loophole: as West Berlin was administered by the Allies, military activities were banned. By moving to West Berlin before receiving their notice, thousands of young men were able to avoid the draft. Anti-military views remain evident in some districts of West Berlin to this day.

Reintroduction of compulsory service in East Germany followed in January 1962. Men were required to serve for a period of 18 months. However, there was the option to delay it to take up university studies.

1991–2013: Suspension of the Service in an Apparently Peaceful World

Following the reunification of Germany in 1990, the East German army (Nationale Volksarmee) merged with the Bundeswehr. Over the years, the length of compulsory military service was reduced several times, until it reached six months in 2010. In the same year, a general discussion about the requirement for service started. Former Defence Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg argued that Germany needed a high-quality army rather than a large number of soldiers due to its new focus on foreign missions. On 24 March 2011, the Bundestag approved the suspension of compulsory military service, replacing it with voluntary military service of up to 23 months. Since then, around 8 000 to 9 000 individuals have participated in this scheme per year. Another aim was to reduce the number of troops from 255 000 to 185 000.

2014–2022: Short-sighted Policy in a Changing World

Since the beginning of Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, there have been suggestions to reinstate compulsory military service. However, former Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen (2014) as well as the German population (2016) rejected this idea and underlined support for the decision to suspend it. Despite Russia’s annexation of Crimea, the threat was not considered high enough to justify its reintroduction, while some politicians argued that it would, anyway, be impossible, as there was a lack of funding for the necessary military structures. During the pandemic and after the beginning of Russia`s full-scale invasion, there were debates about introducing a mandatory year of service for young people.

What is the Plan Now?

Since 2014, several European countries have reintroduced compulsory military service, including Ukraine (2014), Lithuania (2015), Sweden (2017), Latvia (2023), Croatia (2025), and Serbia (by 2026). France will reinstate voluntary military service by 2026. The debate on how and to what extent Germany should reactivate its military service started in the summer of 2024. However, it took 15 months to draft the final legislation. First, because of the collapse of the Scholz government in November 2024 and second, due to disagreements on this issue within the administration of Chancellor Merz. In the latter case, the main point of contention was the extent to which military service should become compulsory again if the number of volunteers is not sufficient.

The passed law stipulates that from 1 January 2026, all 18-year-old men are obliged to fill out a questionnaire with personal details, health and education status, and motivation to perform military service. From 1 July 2027, young men born in 2008 or later will also have to participate in a medical examination. For women, military service will remain voluntary. In addition, young people will be encouraged to join the Bundeswehr’s voluntary military service scheme with a monthly salary of around €2 600. In the case of an attack on Germany, compulsory service for all men will be reinstated immediately.

Voluntary or Compulsory Service?

Defence Minister Boris Pistorius’ plan is to recruit 30 000 volunteers per year to enhance Germany’s military capabilities. If this target is not met, military service will become partially compulsory, probably through a lottery system comparable to the one in Denmark, which randomly selects young people. But it remains unclear whether a lottery can be implemented, as the equality and fairness of this idea are criticised by legal experts. In addition, the government currently has no final or adequate answer to this obstacle. The Chancellor’s CDU/CSU party is in favour of a lottery. SPD prefers the voluntary option, and the idea of promoting a higher attractiveness of the service rather than coercion. The opposition Greens appear to have differing attitudes, with some MPs advocating a voluntary basis while others are in favour of a general year of service with the opportunity to choose a military or civilian option. The Left Party is strictly against any obligation, criticising the government for secretly planning compulsory military service, and the far-right AfD is internally dissenting about this issue. 

Public opinion, too, has evolved, with a majority now supporting military service: with 53% in favour in 2025, compared to 47% in 2024. Approval among young people, between the ages of 16 and 29, is increasing (41%), even though the majority still opposes the idea. Another study among 16 to 25-year-olds confirms these numbers: 57% of young adults reject compulsory military service, and 61% perceive it as a significant infringement of young people’s fundamental personal rights.

The new military service model is primarily intended to adapt the Bundeswehr to current military challenges. So far, the government has only agreed to collect data to get an overview of each age group and to increase the wages of volunteers. Experts doubt whether this service will enable the Bundeswehr to respond adequately to today’s threats and challenges. Whether Pistorius’ goal of 30 000 recruits can be achieved will become visible in the medium term. The number of volunteers has already increased: 13 000 by August 2025, compared to 10 000 in 2024. The steps promoting the attractiveness of voluntary military service are heading in the right direction, but a solution for how to make the service partially compulsory – if the 30 000 target is not reached – is lacking. A consensus and a decision are needed as soon as possible if the combat-readiness indicators are to be met by 2029 and the Bundeswehr transformed into the strongest army in Europe by 2035.

Views expressed in ICDS publications are those of the author(s).