Overview
- The government’s plan restarts service on a voluntary basis but allows conscription to be reintroduced if recruitment targets are not met.
- An online questionnaire will go to 18-year-olds from January 1, 2026 and medical aptitude exams become mandatory for men from July 1, 2027, with a six-month minimum volunteer term.
- Berlin seeks roughly 80,000 additional soldiers, a force of at least 260,000 active personnel, and a near-doubling of reservists from about 100,000.
- To boost enlistment, the Bundeswehr is offering at least €2,300 net per month, free medical care and other benefits.
- Coalition parties diverge over automatic conscription, Ipsos finds 62% public support for restoring it, and Spanish reports warn of possible declines in young German tourists to the Canary Islands.