A new military service law that took effect at the start of 2026 includes a largely unnoticed provision requiring German men aged 18 to 45 to obtain approval from the relevant Bundeswehr Career Center if they plan to leave Germany for more than three months. The rule applies whether a man intends to study abroad, work overseas or travel for an extended period.
A Bundeswehr spokesperson confirmed the measure, telling the DPA news agency the military needs to know how many men are living long-term outside the country in the event of war. While the law requires men to request the permit, the career center must grant it if “no specific military service is expected during the period in question.” The spokesperson added that because military service under current law is based on voluntary participation, permissions must generally be granted.
The Defense Ministry said it is preparing new rules for exceptions to the exit-permit requirement and acknowledged the amended conscription law’s profound effects. It is unclear what consequences men face for leaving for more than three months without approval; the ministry noted the regulation existed during the Cold War and “had no practical relevance; in particular, there are no penalties for violating it.”
The Military Service Modernization Act aims to bolster the Bundeswehr, raising active-duty personnel from roughly 180,000 to 260,000 by 2035. The legislation reignited heated debate over compulsory service — conscription was suspended in 2011 — and prompted protests. Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s coalition ultimately left service voluntary for now while creating mechanisms to expand readiness.
Under the new rules, all men turning 18 must complete a form about their education, health and willingness to serve; for women the questionnaire is voluntary, as the constitution bars mandatory service for them. From mid-2027, all 18-year-old men will also be required to undergo a fitness test to assess who could be drafted in a conflict, a measure critics say could be a first step toward full conscription.
Edited by: Sean Sinico