Overview
- The coalition’s model mandates medical and aptitude screenings for men from the 2008 birth year onward while keeping service voluntary, with women able to opt into the questionnaire phase under current constitutional limits.
- An Insa survey of 1,003 people (Nov. 13–14) finds 58% support mandatory screening, 57% doubt enough volunteers will sign up, and 31% say they would volunteer.
- Government targets lift active strength from roughly 184,000 to about 270,000 by 2035 plus around 200,000 reservists, supported by higher pay to about €2,600 gross and benefits such as driver’s‑license subsidies and local postings.
- Implementation plans include 24 additional screening centers by late 2026 and over 270 modular barracks by 2031 at about €3.5 billion, with semiannual personnel reports to the Bundestag and recruitment expectations rising from roughly 20,000 in 2026 to near 38,000 by 2030.
- Public debate remains divided, with youth interviews and the Römerberggespräche forum highlighting support for civic service options, concerns over any lottery-based conscription fallback, and continued protections for conscientious objection leading to substitute service if conscription is activated.