Germany is implementing a significant reform of its military service, aiming to strengthen the Bundeswehr and meet NATO's troop increase requirements. The proposed changes, expected to be adopted by the end of August 2025 and take effect on January 1, 2026, introduce a voluntary military service option. This initiative retains the possibility of reintroducing mandatory conscription if volunteer numbers prove insufficient. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has detailed a plan that includes sending a letter and questionnaire to all 18-year-olds to assess their willingness to serve. While men will be obligated to complete this questionnaire, it will be voluntary for women. The primary goal is to increase recruitment for military service, with a planned duration of at least six months.
Should voluntary service fail to attract the necessary number of young people, the cabinet could decide to reintroduce mandatory military service, subject to Bundestag approval. This measure is incorporated into the new law, though it does not mandate an automatic return to conscription. The Bundeswehr currently comprises approximately 183,000 soldiers, with strategic goals to increase professional soldiers to 260,000 and reservists to 200,000 by 2035. NATO's requirement for an increase of 60,000 soldiers underscores the urgency of Germany's recruitment efforts. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has articulated Germany's ambition to establish the strongest conventional army in Europe, a strategic shift driven by heightened security threats, notably Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. However, the reform is subject to internal debate, with critics like Norbert Röttgen from the CDU/CSU expressing concerns that voluntary applications alone may be insufficient. These critics highlight a perceived lack of specific targets and timelines in the draft law for increasing armed forces numbers, arguing that clear benchmarks are essential for tracking progress and ensuring accountability. Further complicating matters, Germany's efforts to reactivate reservists are hindered by stringent data protection laws, such as GDPR, which impede the Bundeswehr's ability to contact former service members and expand reserve forces. The Ministry of Defense is reportedly reviewing these regulations to strike a balance between privacy and national security needs. The proposed reform signifies a substantial adjustment in Germany's defense policy, seeking to balance the demand for a robust military with the complexities of modern recruitment. The ultimate success of this dual approach—voluntary service complemented by a potential conscription fallback—will hinge on its capacity to attract adequate volunteers and navigate the practical and political challenges ahead.