Overview
- The Bundestag debated the reform this week, and the government reiterated that a law would be passed and applied from January 1.
- The plan centers on voluntary enlistment, with CDU/CSU politicians proposing a lottery if volunteers fall short and Defense Minister Boris Pistorius publicly denouncing the idea.
- From January 2026, all 18-year-olds will receive an online questionnaire—mandatory for men and optional for women—to identify candidates for at least six months of service, followed by interviews and aptitude tests.
- Berlin targets roughly 30,000 recruits per year to expand the Bundeswehr from about 180,000 active personnel to 260,000 in the 2030s, aiming for 460,000 including reservists by 2035.
- Incentives include net monthly pay of €2,300 and reimbursement of driving-license costs, while polling shows a national plurality favoring mandatory service but 63% opposition among 18–29-year-olds.