German men aged 17-45 may need military approval for long stays abroad

German Men Aged 17-45 May Need Military Approval for Extended Abroad Stays

Beginning January 1, a new law in Germany has introduced a requirement for male citizens between the ages of 17 and 45 to secure prior military authorization for extended periods spent outside the country. This measure, part of the Military Service Modernisation Act, aims to strengthen national defense amid ongoing threats from Russia, particularly following its invasion of Ukraine. The regulation applies to any stay lasting over three months, according to a defense ministry representative who shared details with the BBC.

The law mandates that individuals aged 17 and older must seek approval for prolonged international travel. While the requirement for travel permits has always existed, its enforcement had previously been overlooked until recent coverage by the Frankfurter Rundschau highlighted the change. The defense ministry emphasized that the rule is designed to “ensure a reliable and meaningful military registration system,” ensuring officials can track those absent from the country during emergencies.

“In the event of an emergency, we must know who may be staying abroad for an extended period.”

Exemptions from the regulation are being formulated to prevent excessive administrative burdens, though the consequences for non-compliance could be significant. The legal foundation for this provision stems from the 1956 Conscription Act, which has been revised multiple times, with the latest amendment occurring last December. Until now, the obligation to report long-term travel applied only during national defense or mobilization states.

The new legislation outlines plans to expand the Bundeswehr’s active personnel from approximately 180,000 to 260,000 by 2035. In December, the German parliament passed a resolution establishing voluntary military service, meaning all 18-year-olds will receive a questionnaire to express interest in joining the armed forces. By July 2027, those who wish to enlist will also need to complete a fitness evaluation to assess eligibility for service in case of conflict.

Women are permitted to volunteer for military service but are not subject to compulsory duty under Germany’s constitution. While the plan emphasizes voluntary participation, the government has indicated that mandatory service could be reintroduced if the security situation deteriorates or if recruitment targets are not met. This shift has sparked protests among young people, with one organizer stating on social media: “We don’t want to spend half a year of our lives locked up in barracks, being trained in drill and obedience and learning to kill.”

Germany’s military forces have seen a decline since the 1990s, when the country reduced its armed forces during peacetime. At the height of the Cold War, the army numbered nearly 500,000. Compulsory service was discontinued in 2011 under Chancellor Angela Merkel. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has since committed to rebuilding the Bundeswehr into Europe’s most powerful conventional military force, citing a more perilous security landscape across the continent.