Overview
- Mandatory screening applies to male German citizens born after January 1, 2008, with men required to respond to questionnaires while women may reply voluntarily.
- Questionnaires are set to go out to each new cohort next year, with full in-person exams of entire male year-groups planned from summer 2027 as additional centers and medical staff come online.
- The constitution currently allows compulsory service only for men, and changing that would require a two‑thirds majority in both Bundestag and Bundesrat.
- Conscientious objection remains a constitutional right, no formal civilian replacement service has been announced, and a needs-based draft with a lottery would require a separate parliamentary decision if volunteers fall short.
- The plan seeks to expand the Bundeswehr toward 270,000 troops by 2035, with volunteer targets rising over time and entry pay lifted to about €2,600 gross, while public debate highlights calls for equal obligations and proposals for compensation or levies.