Germany has introduced a new requirement compelling males aged between 17 and 45 to seek approval for extended stays abroad, as part of efforts to strengthen military readiness under its updated defence laws.
The measure forms part of the Military Service Modernisation Act, which came into force on January 1, and is designed to bolster the country’s defences following heightened security concerns linked to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
In a statement sent to the BBC, a defence ministry spokesman confirmed that males aged 17 and older must obtain prior approval for any stay abroad lasting longer than three months.
Although approvals are generally expected to be granted, authorities have yet to clarify how the rule would be enforced in cases of non-compliance.
The requirement initially went largely unnoticed until it was reported by the Frankfurter Rundschau newspaper.
Explaining the rationale behind the policy, the defence ministry spokesman said the regulation was intended to “ensure a reliable and meaningful military registration system”, adding: “In the event of an emergency, we must know who may be staying abroad for an extended period.”
Officials acknowledged that the implications for young people could be “far-reaching” and said exemptions are being developed “in part to avoid unnecessary bureaucracy”.
The legal basis for the measure is rooted in Germany’s 1956 Conscription Act, which has undergone several amendments, most recently in December. Previously, the requirement to report extended stays abroad only applied during a state of national defence or mobilisation.
A defence ministry official noted that a similar provision existed during the Cold War but “had no practical relevance”.
The new law also outlines plans to expand Germany’s active military personnel from about 180,000 to 260,000 by 2035.
In December, parliament approved the introduction of voluntary military service, meaning all 18-year-olds now receive questionnaires asking if they are interested in joining the armed forces.
From July 2027, eligible individuals will also be required to undergo fitness assessments to determine their suitability for service in the event of war.
While women can volunteer for military service, Germany’s constitution does not allow them to be compelled to serve.
Authorities have indicated that although the current framework is based on voluntary participation, compulsory service could be reconsidered if the security situation deteriorates or if enlistment numbers fall short.
The changes have sparked resistance among some young people, with protests recorded following parliamentary approval.
“We don’t want to spend half a year of our lives locked up in barracks, being trained in drill and obedience and learning to kill,” one organiser wrote on social media.
Germany had significantly reduced its military capacity after the Cold War, and compulsory service was formally ended in 2011 under former chancellor Angela Merkel.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz has since pledged to rebuild the Bundeswehr into Europe’s strongest conventional army, citing what his government describes as a more dangerous security environment across the continent.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
