Overview
- Germany recorded 3,034 conscientious‑objector applications by the end of October 2025, the highest annual total since 2011, with more than half from unserved civilians and additional requests from about 1,300 reservists and nearly 150 soldiers.
- The Family Ministry said it will meet providers in early December to be ready for a possible reinstated Zivildienst, noting there is no compulsory civil service without a formal return of conscription.
- From 2026 all men born in 2008 will face mandatory medical and fitness screening; service remains voluntary, with a potential Bedarfswehrpflicht to be decided by the Bundestag if recruitment targets fall short.
- Official data indicate roughly 56,700 dual nationals in the 2008 male cohort, prompting expert warnings about potential loyalty conflicts, while the Defence Ministry underscores a uniform duty of loyalty, pre‑service constitutional‑loyalty checks for volunteers, and possible limits on access to sensitive roles.
- Public opinion tilts toward broader service obligations, with a Forsa poll showing 75% support for a six‑month social Pflichtzeit, while an Insa survey finds 58% backing for universal screening but low personal willingness to enlist.