April 8, 2026 — Germany’s defense minister, Boris Pistorius, announced that men of military age will not be required to obtain approval for extended trips abroad, effectively pausing a contested provision tied to the country’s new military service law. Pistorius said a formal regulation to suspend the requirement will be issued this week and stressed that, while service remains voluntary, no travel permits are necessary.
The provision that prompted public concern and intense media criticism had indicated that males aged roughly 17 to 45 would need authorization for stays outside Germany longer than three months. Pistorius said procedures should remain simple and practical: in peacetime there will be no approval process and no obligation to report travel. He cautioned, however, that different rules could be introduced in a crisis or under a defense footing so authorities can identify who is available.
The government’s broader reform keeps military service voluntary while seeking to make it more attractive and to grow the Bundeswehr from just over 180,000 personnel toward about 260,000. As part of the changes, mandatory medical screenings will apply to young men born in 2008. Officials say the overhaul is driven by security concerns related to Russia and shifting NATO priorities, but debate continues over how to preserve voluntariness while preserving options, including possible future conscription, in a changing security environment.