Overview
- The Bundestag approved the bill by 323 votes to 272 with one abstention.
- All 18-year-olds will receive a questionnaire starting in January 2026, with completion mandatory for men and voluntary for women.
- Mandatory medical examinations for men begin in July 2027, and a minimum six-month voluntary service is set to start around mid-2027.
- Starting pay for volunteers will be about €2,600 per month, with added benefits for those who serve at least 12 months.
- A need-based conscription mechanism remains available if recruitment falls short, though details such as any lottery system would require separate legislation.