A reform of the Military Service Law in Germany has gone unnoticed, although its effects could be significant for millions of citizens. From January 2026, German men between 17 and 45 years old must obtain authorization from the Armed Forces for stays abroad exceeding three months, a measure included in the modernization of military service which seeks to raise the number of active soldiers to 260,000 and 200,000 reservists by 2035, compared to the current 184,000.
The law, which includes the possibility of forced recruitment if volunteers are lacking, establishes that all men and women over 18 years of age will receive a motivation and aptitude for service evaluation form, mandatory for men and voluntary for women. In addition, men born from January 1, 2008 must undergo a mandatory medical examination.
It was only applied in situations of "tension" or "defense"
Although the forms will be sent in the coming months, the obligation to request permission for prolonged stays abroad is already in force. Until now, this measure was applied only in exceptional situations of “tension” or “defense” defined by NATO”. Now, the rule applies always, regardless of whether the trip is for academic, work, or tourist purposes.
The Ministry of Defense assures that the objective is to have a complete and reliable record of military service, especially for emergency situations. According to the law, “authorization must be granted for the period in which the person is not called to military service,” so denial is not foreseen, although submitting it remains mandatory. The ministry is also working on regulations for exceptions to this obligation, recognizing that its implications are profound.
The new norm has generated political criticism. Desirée Becker, of Die Linke, warned of “serious violations of fundamental rights”. For her part, Sara Nanni, of The Greens, pointed out that citizens have the right to quickly know their obligations, while Sahra Wagenknecht, leader of the populist BSW, stated that the law is reminiscent of the era of the GDR and the Berlin Wall and that “it has nothing to do with democracy nor with a free and democratic order”.
The reform shows the tension between the need to strengthen national defense and the preservation of individual rights, a debate that promises to remain at the center of German politics in the coming years.