German parliament approves mandatory military service plan to strengthen the Bundeswehr

BERLIN Germany is set to introduce a voluntary conscription system while initiating mandatory health assessments for all male citizens reaching adulthood. The nations parliament passed a draft law outlining this plan on Friday.

The legislation, expected to encounter minimal resistance in the upper house, is slated to take effect on January 1, 2026. It mandates that the Bundeswehr, Germanys armed forces, work toward increasing its personnel numbers, targeting up to 470,000 soldiers by 2035, including 270,000 on active duty.

As of Friday, the Bundeswehr reported approximately 184,330 active personnel, marking a 1.5% increase compared to the previous year.

German males born in 2008 or later will need to complete an online questionnaire upon reaching adulthood and then attend one of 24 designated centers for physical and medical evaluations. The system is expected to be fully operational by mid-2027. Women can volunteer for the program, but participation is not required.

Military service remains voluntary at present, coexisting with the existing optional civil service. Individuals who complete service will join the reserves. Recruits opting for six to eleven months of service will earn 2,600 ($3,030) per month before taxes, with additional incentives offered for extended service.

Currently, there are no immediate plans for mandatory conscription, according to the Bundeswehr. However, the law allows for compulsory measures if voluntary recruitment does not meet targets. If that is not enough, we will have no choice but to introduce partial conscription, stated German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius during the parliamentary vote.

The legislation includes a clause for compulsory service that would require a separate parliamentary vote to implement.

During the parliamentary vote, protests occurred in multiple German cities, including Berlin, accompanied by a partial student strike opposing the measure.

The Bundeswehr emphasized that expanding its ranks has become necessary due to the current security environment and NATO obligations. In the event of a defense situation, which we aim to avoid, the state must know who is ready to act, said Pistorius. Our country and democracy deserve that readiness.

Author: Connor Blake