Germany to Revamp Military Service, Considering Compulsory Options
Germany’s governing parties – the CDU/CSU and SPD – have reached an agreement to reform military service, addressing personnel shortages and evolving security concerns. The plan centers around assessing the potential for service among young citizens, with a pathway towards potential compulsory service if voluntary recruitment falls short.
Beginning with those turning 18, individuals will receive a questionnaire to gauge their motivation and suitability for military service. For men, completing this form will be mandatory. Furthermore, a mandatory military aptitude test will be implemented for all men born after January 1, 2008, starting after July 1, 2027. The Defense Ministry intends to establish an examination infrastructure capable of processing 300,000 aptitude tests annually.
The initial goal is to build a pool of potential recruits for defense purposes. though, the agreement stipulates that if voluntary applications don’t meet the armed forces’ needs, the Bundestag will decide on the introduction of compulsory military service. Should the number of eligible individuals in a given age group exceed requirements, a “random selection method as a last resort” will be employed.
Alongside these measures, the reform aims to enhance the attractiveness of military service.
A draft law outlining these changes will be presented to the Bundestag in December, with German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius aiming for the new law to take effect at the beginning of 2026.
This reform is driven by the perceived increased threat from Russia and subsequent adjustments to NATO planning. Germany currently has 181,000 soldiers, and aims to increase this number by approximately 80,000, reaching a total of 260,000. Plans also include establishing a reserve force of 200,000 soldiers. The previous goal of reaching 203,000 soldiers has not been met, due to demographic challenges including an aging population and a shortage of qualified personnel.
