Overview

• After cabinet approval of a new Wehrdienst framework, men born in 2008 must complete a readiness questionnaire from January 1, 2026, with compulsory medical screening for men starting July 1, 2027, while women may respond voluntarily.
• Conscientious‑objection counselors report a strategy shift and now advise young people—especially those born after January 1, 2010—to file recognition applications early, reversing earlier guidance to stay off the radar.
• Interest indicators have jumped, with DFGVK logging 54,946 website visits in August versus 24,151 in May, and the federal office reporting 1,363 objection applications by end‑June 2025 after 2,241 in all of 2024.
• Die Linke advanced a motion to remove the Wehrpflicht clause from the Basic Law and pledged to help young people avoid any compulsory service if conscription returns, as Green Youth warns of a backdoor path to mass obligation.
• Debate over the scope of service continues, with CDU Wehrbeauftragter Henning Otte calling for a compulsory year for men and women and CSU leader Markus Söder publicly arguing for mandatory service on national TV.