Germany Considers Mandatory Military Service

Germany’s Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has confirmed that compulsory military service could be reinstated if voluntary recruitment fails to meet national defense needs. In recent statements, Pistorius emphasized that while the current focus remains on attracting volunteers, the government is actively preparing legislation that would make conscription a legal reality again—potentially as early as January 2026.

The proposed changes come in response to rising security demands, evolving geopolitical threats, and NATO obligations. Germany’s armed forces currently count around 180,000 active soldiers. The government’s goal is to increase this number to at least 203,000 by 2031, with an additional reserve force. However, military leadership estimates that at least 100,000 new soldiers must be recruited by 2029 to meet strategic requirements.

New System Would Register All Men at 18

Under the draft legislation being developed, all men aged 18 and over would be required to register through a mandatory questionnaire assessing their physical fitness and willingness to serve. While actual service would initially remain voluntary, the infrastructure for compulsory conscription would be in place, ready to be activated if necessary.

Women would not be subject to this obligation under current legal constraints, but could volunteer to participate. Defense officials describe the system as a “strategic insurance policy” in case voluntary sign-ups fall short, or if the international security situation continues to deteriorate.

General Inspector Carsten Breuer echoed this view, calling the framework a backup mechanism that can be quickly activated. Currently, the Bundeswehr can accept about 5,000 new recruits per year—a number far below what is required.

Debate Over Female Conscription Sparks National Discussion

Although the current legislative plan does not include women in mandatory service, public debate around the topic has intensified. Supporters of a gender-neutral conscription model argue that equal responsibility in national defense reflects a mature and inclusive society. Countries like Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Israel already apply mandatory service requirements to both men and women.

Writer Mirna Funk described military service as a form of empowerment for women, stating that the ability to defend oneself and one’s family should not be limited by gender. She also emphasized that shared national service could strengthen democratic understanding and civic responsibility.

Critics, however, caution against requiring military service from women of reproductive age, particularly in a country with a declining birth rate. Author Nele Pollatschek argued that forcing women into roles that could endanger their health, especially during pregnancy, is counterproductive. She also warned that conscription—regardless of gender—undermines individual freedom by compelling citizens into state-assigned roles.

Any extension of conscription to women would require a constitutional amendment, which currently appears politically unfeasible. Such a change would need a two-thirds majority in both the Bundestag and Bundesrat—an unlikely outcome given expected resistance from parties such as the Greens and the Left.

Government Plans Rapid Implementation

The Merz administration aims to pass the new military service framework swiftly, with the intention of enacting it by early 2026. Pistorius has expressed confidence that the necessary legal and organizational preparations can be completed within the next several months.

The urgency behind the proposal is reinforced by Germany’s obligations within NATO, particularly in light of increasing Russian aggression in Ukraine and heightened instability in the Middle East. Recent drone and missile attacks across Ukrainian cities, described as the most extensive airstrike campaign since the war began, have further alarmed European defense planners.

International Incidents and Internal Security Concerns

Adding to the security context is the recent arrest of a man holding dual German-American citizenship, accused of attempting to firebomb a U.S. embassy building in Tel Aviv. According to U.S. authorities, the suspect left a backpack containing improvised incendiary devices at the site after making online threats, including calls to “burn down the embassy” and assassinate former U.S. President Donald Trump. He was deported by Israeli authorities and arrested upon arrival in New York.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul responded to the broader security climate by reaffirming Germany’s support for both Israel’s right to defend itself and the humanitarian needs of Palestinians. He also supported stricter sanctions against Russia following the latest round of attacks, stating that “Putin is not interested in peace” and must face stronger international pressure.

Germany at a Crossroads on National Defense

With voluntary enlistment unlikely to meet the required numbers and external threats mounting, Germany’s leadership is preparing for a shift in defense policy not seen since the suspension of conscription in 2011. The reintroduction of mandatory service, even in a limited or phased form, signals a significant recalibration of national priorities.

What remains uncertain is whether the public will embrace these measures. The idea of reviving compulsory service—especially if expanded to include women—touches on deep questions about equality, liberty, and national duty. As the legislative process unfolds, Germany faces a complex balancing act between operational necessity and social cohesion.