• Military

• WMD Menu                           

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Military service is being modernised

Germany - Federal Government

Cabinet decision

Cabinet has approved the draft of a new law on the modernisation of military service. The aim is to strengthen the Federal Armed Forces' active and reserve forces in order to reflect current security threats. The most important facts at a glance.

Wednesday, 27 August 2025

The security threat has intensified significantly in recent years. It is therefore important to adapt the Federal Armed Forces' troops to NATO's capability goals in terms of structure, equipment and personnel.

In the coalition agreement, the Federal Government has agreed to introduce a new, attractive military service, which is based on the Swedish military service model and initially relies on volunteering. The aim of this new military service is to help strengthen both the Federal Armed Forces' reserves and active troops.

New military service remains voluntary for the time being

The new military service will rely on volunteering for as long as possible. If the security situation worsens or the options for meeting requirements through volunteers are exhausted, the Federal Government may, with the consent of the Bundestag, make conscription for military service compulsory by statutory order.

Military registration and monitoring are being reactivated and simultaneously modernised and digitalised. This enables the Federal Armed Forces to record who is available with which qualifications when tensions or defence situations arise, and where and how they can be contacted.

Voluntary military service is being changed

When the law takes effect, all 18-year-old males from Germany will be asked to complete a mandatory online questionnaire to declare whether they would like to volunteer for military service. Personal data and qualifications must also be provided. For persons of the opposite sex, the information is voluntary. The suitability of all interested candidates will then be determined through an assessment. From 1 July 2027, all men born in 2008 and after will be subject to a mandatory medical.

The previous voluntary military service is being changed With the new military service, soldiers are given the status of temporary soldiers ("SaZ"), meaning that they are significantly better off in terms of pay and pensions. Commitment bonuses will also continue to be paid in order to keep young people in the Federal Armed Forces for longer.

Meaningful and attractive service

Since the summer of 2025, volunteer conscripts have been trained in security and guard duties and equipped for extended homeland security. This meaningful measure is intended to make service more attractive. This is followed by a series of attractive qualification programmes in the various branches of the Federal Armed Forces.

After their period of service, reservists are trained by the Federal Armed Forces in regular reserve sessions so that they can call on the skills they have learnt in an emergency. Reserve structures are thus being expanded in order to meet the NATO capability goals negotiated between the NATO partners.