New Rules Introduced in Germany for Men Aged 17 to 45 Regarding Travel Abroad

In Germany, as of April 3, 2023, new amendments to the law governing military service modernization have taken effect, specifically targeting men aged 17 to 45. Under these new regulations, individuals in this age group must secure special permission from the Bundeswehr if they intend to leave the country for a period of three months or longer. This information was reported by the Berliner Zeitung.

The Federal Ministry of Defense of Germany has confirmed this new requirement, emphasizing that the primary aim of mandating such permission is to ensure reliable and informative tracking of military personnel. A spokesperson for the ministry explained, 'The foundation and guiding principle of this rule is to maintain a reliable and informative record of military personnel in case of necessity. In the event of an emergency, it is crucial to know who may be abroad for an extended period.'

The Ministry of Defense also pointed out that it is currently impossible to predict how the application review process for obtaining this permission will unfold, as rules for exemption from this requirement for men still need to be developed.

According to the new law, men planning to leave Germany must obtain permission from the Armed Forces Career Center, regardless of the purpose of their travel—be it for education, work, tourism, or business trips. This requirement will remain in effect continuously, regardless of whether the country is in a state of emergency or war, as noted by the Berliner Zeitung.

These legislative changes are part of a broader program aimed at modernizing the German armed forces. Among other planned reforms is a return to full conscription in the Bundeswehr, which is estimated to take place no earlier than 2028.

Additionally, it has been revealed that starting in 2026, all 18-year-old citizens of Germany will receive a questionnaire assessing their motivation and suitability for military service. Men will be required to respond to these questions. At the same time, the introduction of mandatory military service is also planned.

The document, approved last year by the ruling coalition of CDU/CSU and SPD, states that upon the law's enactment, mandatory military service will also commence for men born on or after January 1, 2008, and will gradually extend to the entire age group as conscription capacity increases.

If the number of volunteers proves insufficient, the Bundestag will be able to make a decision regarding a so-called 'demand-based' conscription. Jens Spahn, the leader of the CDU/CSU parliamentary faction, stated, 'We will increasingly involve the voluntary system. The mandatory path to increasing the number of soldiers must be enshrined in law. If voluntary service ultimately proves inadequate, mandatory service will be necessary.'

These new measures have sparked widespread public reaction, as they reflect a shift in approaches to military service in Germany in light of contemporary challenges and security threats.