German men younger than 45 might require military clearance for extended stays overseas. Eight hours earlier. Jessica Rawnsley of the EPA. German men aged 17 to 20113 may require permission for extended stays abroad under a new law introducing voluntary military service. The Military Service Modernisation Act, effective from 1 January, seeks to strengthen defenses amid Russian threats following its invasion of Ukraine. A defense ministry spokesperson told the BBC that males aged 17 and above must secure prior approval for absences exceeding three months. Approvals are typically granted under the law, though enforcement for violations is uncertain. The provision drew attention only after coverage by the Frankfurter Rundschau on Friday. The spokesperson explained the rule aims to “ensure a reliable and meaningful military registration system,” stating: “In an emergency, we need to know who is abroad for prolonged periods.” The statement recognized that impacts on young people could be “far-reaching” and noted that exemption regulations were being drafted “in part to prevent unnecessary red tape.” The legal foundation for the requirement stems from Germany’s 1956 Conscription Act, which has undergone multiple amendments, with the most recent in December. Before this latest change, the duty to report extended time abroad only applied during a state of national defense or mobilization. A defense ministry spokesperson noted that a comparable rule “was in place during the Cold War and held no practical significance.” The Military Service Modernisation Act outlines expanding active personnel from about 180,000 to 260,000 by 2035. In December, the German parliament approved voluntary military service, requiring all 18-year-olds to receive a questionnaire starting in January about interest in enlisting. From July 2027, they will also need a fitness evaluation to assess suitability for service in case of war. Women can volunteer but cannot be drafted under Germany’s constitution. Although the current plan emphasizes voluntary service, compulsory service might be introduced if the security environment deteriorates or volunteer numbers fall short. When parliament passed the law, numerous young people protested the shift. “We don’t want to waste half a year of our lives confined in barracks, drilled in obedience and trained to kill,” one organizer posted on social media. Like other European nations, Germany scaled back its military during the 1990s peacetime era. In the Cold War era, it maintained an army of nearly half a million troops. Compulsory military service in Germany was suspended in 2011 during Angela Merkel’s tenure as chancellor. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has committed to transforming the Bundeswehr into Europe’s most powerful conventional force, citing his government’s view of a deteriorating security landscape on the continent. More on this story. Germany approves voluntary military service program for 18-year-olds. How Russia’s threat has transf
