Germany’s defence ministry is working to clarify a provision in the recently updated military service law that mandates men of fighting age to obtain approval before leaving the country for more than three months. This law, which took effect in January, theoretically impacts millions of men aged 17 to 45 in the European Union’s most populous nation.
The requirement had largely gone unnoticed until a local newspaper brought it to public attention last Friday. A spokesperson for the defence ministry emphasized that military service in Germany remains voluntary. The ministry is currently preparing detailed regulations to provide exemptions from the approval requirement, aiming to minimize unnecessary bureaucracy.
This controversial legislation was enacted last year to strengthen the Bundeswehr and meet NATO targets amid growing concerns that Germany has relied too heavily on the United States for defence. Rising tensions with Russia have intensified calls across Europe for enhanced military capabilities. The law is designed to establish a reliable military registration system, ensuring authorities know who may be abroad for extended periods in case of an emergency.
The defence ministry declined to provide further details on how the approval process will be implemented. Germany plans to increase its active military personnel to 260,000 by 2035, up from 183,000 at the end of last year. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has urged military leaders to accelerate efforts to make the country capable of self-defence and to recruit more soldiers.
Meanwhile, opposition politicians criticized the government over the weekend for causing confusion with the new law.
