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Thursday, November 13, 2025
Germany’s coalition government has agreed on a new military service plan starting in January 2026, targeting male citizens born on or after January 1, 2008. This plan mandates a compulsory questionnaire about military service willingness, followed by a mandatory medical examination to assess fitness. Military service will initially remain voluntary, aiming to increase volunteers from 80,000 to 260,000 by 2035. If targets are unmet, a lottery system may select conscripts. Volunteers can serve under flexible terms and receive improved pay. Defence Minister Boris Pistorius emphasized the reform’s role in strengthening Germany’s defence capabilities and deterrence.
Germany’s Coalition agrees new military service plan
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The German coalition government has agreed on a comprehensive new military service plan aimed at addressing personnel shortages in the Bundeswehr, Germany’s armed forces. The reform will take effect beginning in 2026 and mark a significant shift towards increasing the number of soldiers through a mixture of voluntary enlistment and potential conscription.
Under the plan, all male German citizens born on or after January 1, 2008, will be required to complete a questionnaire regarding their willingness to serve in the military. This will be mandatory starting July 1, 2027, while participation will initially be voluntary. Those interested will undergo medical assessments to determine fitness for service. Volunteers can serve as “voluntary military personnel” for less than 12 months or as “temporary soldiers” for longer terms.
The reform comes within a context of heightened security concerns in Europe, driven by evolving threats and commitments to NATO and the EU.
Stronger forces, lower conflict risk
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Defence Minister Boris Pistorius emphasized that military service remains voluntary as long as recruitment targets are met. He also highlighted planned improvements in pay and benefits to attract and retain young recruits. “There is no reason to be afraid,” Pistorius said, “the stronger our armed forces are, the less likely we are to be drawn into conflict.”
