Overview

• The cabinet adopted the Wehrdienst draft on August 27, launching digital questionnaires in January 2026 that 18-year-old men must complete, with voluntary responses from women.
• From July 1, 2027, all 18-year-old men will be required to undergo medical screening, and fines are planned for failing to submit the form or appear for muster.
• The model offers flexible service of 6 to 23 months with about €2,300 net starting pay plus free housing, healthcare and added benefits such as training and travel.
• The bill retains a mechanism to reinstate partial or full conscription with Bundestag approval if volunteer intake proves insufficient, while compulsory inclusion of women would require a constitutional change.
• Defense Minister Boris Pistorius reports rising interest — 13,000 of 15,000 slots filled so far this year with numbers likely approaching 20,000 — as CDU leaders and military representatives call for fixed milestones and question whether targets of 260,000 active troops and a larger reserve can be met.