Applications for conscientious objection in Germany have risen as the security climate grows tense and a new military service law takes effect, official figures show. The reform, which came into force in January, mandates screening of young men born in 2008 or later to encourage voluntary enlistment; parliament could order compulsory service if recruitment goals are not met. The increase in objections followed calls by Bavarian state premier Markus Söder to reinstate conscription.
The Federal Office for Family Affairs and Civil Society Functions reported 2,656 conscientious objection applications in the first quarter of this year. By comparison there were 2,998 applications in all of 2024 and 3,867 in 2025. If the current pace continues, 2026 may record the highest number of exemption requests since conscription was suspended in 2011.
The data also show a number of applicants reversing earlier decisions: there were 781 such reversals in 2025 and 233 in the first quarter of this year, indicating some fluctuation in how people respond to the new rules and political debate.