The German Bundestag (lower house of parliament) on the 5th passed the "Modernization of Conscription Law" to expand the size of the Bundeswehr. This bill still requires approval from the Bundesrat (upper house of parliament) and, once approved, is expected to take effect on January 1, 2026.
According to Xinhua News Agency, under this bill, starting from 2026, all German men and women aged 18 will receive a questionnaire to determine their willingness and suitability to serve in the Bundeswehr. Men are required to respond, while women may do so voluntarily. All young people wishing to enlist will undergo further assessments to evaluate their fitness for service.
From July 1, 2027, all 18-year-old men must undergo a physical examination. Based on the results of the questionnaire and the physical examination, the Bundeswehr can select personnel from the pool of potential recruits according to defense needs.
The new conscription system still prioritizes volunteer soldiers, but if the security situation deteriorates or if volunteer enlistment falls short of targets, the German government can apply to the Bundestag to pass a law implementing a "demand-based conscription system" to make up for insufficient troop numbers.
The German government issued a statement on the 5th, saying that in view of the security situation in Europe, Germany is strengthening national and alliance defense. According to the new NATO capability goals, by 2035, the Bundeswehr will have over 260,000 active soldiers and 200,000 reservists.
Germany suspended the implementation of compulsory military service in 2011. According to the latest data from the Ministry of Defense, Germany currently has about 184,000 active-duty soldiers.