Overview

• The cabinet approved a six‑month voluntary service framework that allows conscription to be reintroduced with parliamentary approval if security needs or intake goals are not met.
• Berlin set force‑growth aims of roughly 260,000 active personnel in the early 2030s and a larger reserve, with annual volunteer intake targets rising toward about 38,000 by 2030.
• Recruitment measures include online questionnaires for all 18‑year‑olds starting next year and mandatory medical exams for young men beginning in mid‑2027.
• Incentives for short‑term service feature pay of around €2,000 net per month, full health insurance coverage, flexible terms, and training options.
• Political debate continues over whether missing targets should automatically trigger conscription, as the government touts a 28% rise in new recruits this year and launches a national campaign.