Khaberni - The German Defense Ministry announced the implementation of new amendments to the military service law, requiring young men aged between 17 and 45 to obtain prior approval before traveling abroad for periods exceeding three months.
This measure is part of the "Military Service Modernization Act" which came into effect on January 1, 2026. It aims to enhance the human and organizational readiness of the German army by expanding youth registration and developing legal tools that allow for rapid action when necessary.
Under the amendment, males from the age of 17 must request permission from army recruitment centers before leaving the country for long periods, although military service remains voluntary, making approvals generally granted automatically, as explained by the ministry.
However, the detailed implementing regulations have not been completed yet, which means that the requirement to obtain permission remains legally in place, even though authorities confirm that applications will not be rejected under the current situation.
This step comes amid escalating defense concerns in Europe since the outbreak of the Russian war on Ukraine, and subsequent calls to reconsider the previously suspended compulsory conscription system in Germany.
The German government aims to increase the number of army personnel from about 184,000 currently to between 255,000 and 270,000 soldiers by 2035.
The Ministry of Defense acknowledged that the new amendment constitutes a broad intervention in individual freedoms, as it includes cases such as studying or temporary residency abroad, noting that it is working on preparing more detailed exceptions to regulate the implementation of the decision.
The potential penalties for non-compliance with obtaining approval remain unclear so far, while the ministry has faced criticism for not announcing these changes earlier.
