(Gemini Audio)
(de-news.net) – The coalition government of Germany, comprising CDU/CSU and SPD, has formally agreed to a substantial restructuring of the nation’s military service system. The announcement was delivered jointly by Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and the parliamentary leaders of both governing parties. Central to this reform is a renewed and intensified focus on the mechanisms of conscription and national service eligibility.
Beginning in early 2026, the Federal Government will initiate a preliminary screening process by distributing questionnaires to all individuals who have reached the age of 18. Male recipients will be legally obligated to respond, while female recipients may choose to participate voluntarily. The questionnaire will serve as an essential component of the broader conscription evaluation and will include questions designed to assess the respondent’s willingness to serve in the armed forces for a minimum duration of six months.
In a subsequent phase, commencing in 2027, the government intends to conduct full-scale medical and psychological assessments of approximately 300,000 young men annually. This initiative aims to establish a comprehensive overview of the population’s military readiness and physical fitness for service. Should the number of voluntary enlistments prove insufficient to meet operational requirements, the Bundestag will be required to deliberate on the potential implementation of a compulsory service mandate. The specific parameters and structure of such a mandate remain undetermined and would be subject to legislative debate.
The overarching objective of the reform is to enhance the attractiveness of military service by promoting voluntary participation and offering tangible incentives. Enlisted individuals who commit to a six-month term will receive a gross monthly remuneration of 2,600 euros. Those who opt for extended service beyond one year will gain access to a range of advanced educational and vocational training opportunities. These measures are designed to improve recruitment outcomes and foster long-term engagement with the Bundeswehr.
By the year 2035, the government aims to expand the Bundeswehr to a total force of 460,000 personnel, including approximately 200,000 reservists. At present, the German armed forces consist of roughly 183,000 active-duty soldiers and close to 100,000 reservists. To ensure steady progress toward this target, the new legislation will establish binding annual personnel growth benchmarks, accompanied by a biannual reporting obligation to the Bundestag. This framework is intended to provide transparency and accountability in the implementation of the reform.
In parallel with the military expansion, the Federal Voluntary Service will be significantly strengthened. The program will receive an additional 50 million euros in funding in 2026, with annual allocations increasing to 80 million euros from 2027 onward. These resources will support the creation of over 15,000 new service positions and will be prominently featured in the conscription materials distributed to young adults. The expanded placements will span a variety of sectors, including early childhood education, primary and secondary schooling, eldercare, environmental protection, and disaster relief.
The government’s ambition is to engage more than 100,000 young people annually in voluntary service roles. The increased funding will also enable service providers to offer improved financial compensation to participants, thereby enhancing the overall appeal and accessibility of the program. Through these coordinated efforts, the coalition seeks to foster a culture of civic engagement and national solidarity among Germany’s youth.
During the press conference of Pistorius and the two Bundestag faction leaders, the Minister stated that northern European countries demonstrate the effectiveness of voluntary military service when paired with attractive conditions. He expressed confidence that this model could also succeed in Germany. Pistorius emphasized the importance of comprehensive conscription to obtain a complete overview of each cohort.
Jens Spahn (CDU), head of the Union parliamentary group, noted the aim to inspire as many young people as possible to serve the nation. He added that if voluntary participation proved insufficient, mandatory service would be necessary. Spahn argued that increased commitment within voluntary service was essential and stressed the need for a binding growth trajectory and biannual reporting to the Bundestag to monitor the expansion of the armed forces. SPD parliamentary leader Matthias Miersch highlighted his party’s support for strengthening the voluntary service program. It offers young people diverse opportunities to engage in civic or social service, fostering their societal contribution and personal development.
In a first reaction, Colonel André Wüstner, chair of the German Bundeswehr Association, described the coalition’s agreement on a new military service model as a positive development. He viewed it as a compromise that enhances the appeal of voluntary enlistment, improves transparency regarding force expansion, and establishes a basis for conscription and cohort-wide assessment.
Wüstner cautioned that the sufficiency of voluntary service would become evident in the coming years and insisted that a shift to a needs-based conscription must remain a prepared option. He welcomed the continued availability of low-threshold entry via voluntary military service and the planned inclusion of references to other voluntary programs in communications to those born from 2008 onward. He also noted that the expansion of such offerings was to be reflected in the upcoming federal budget. Regarding professional soldiers, Wüstner stressed the importance of a new legislative initiative next year to enhance the appeal of long-term service, thereby encouraging more individuals to commit to extended military careers.
Following formal approval by both the Bundestag and the Bundesrat, the Federal Government plans to enact the new legislation before the end of the calendar year.
