Overview
- All 18‑year‑olds will receive a screening questionnaire, with responses mandatory for men and voluntary for women.
- A phased, nationwide Musterung will begin for men born in 2008 and expand as assessment capacity is built.
- The Bundestag may introduce a needs‑based conscription (Bedarfswehrpflicht) if volunteer numbers are insufficient, with no automatic trigger and a lottery only as a last resort when eligible numbers exceed demand.
- The plan sets force‑growth goals toward roughly 260,000 active soldiers and about 200,000 reservists in line with updated NATO planning.
- The bill is slated for a Bundestag vote in early December with entry into force in 2026, and it offers incentives including about €2,600 gross per month, a driving‑license subsidy after a year, SAZ 1 status after 12 months, and 15,000 new voluntary‑service posts with additional funding.