Overview
- Lawmakers passed the bill 323–272, creating a dual‑track system that prioritizes paid voluntary service but preserves a needs‑based conscription option.
- All 18‑year‑olds will receive questionnaires starting January 2026, mandatory for men and voluntary for women, to gauge willingness and suitability for service.
- Mandatory medical examinations for men born in 2008 or later will be phased in from mid‑2027 to determine fitness for potential call‑ups.
- The reform sets growth targets of up to about 260,000 active troops and at least 200,000 reservists by 2035, with recruitment reports to parliament every six months; entry pay for volunteers is about €2,600 a month with added benefits.
- Youth‑led protests spread to roughly 90 cities, with thousands rallying in Berlin, as the law now awaits expected sign‑off by the upper house later this month.