Germany Considers Compulsory Military Service if Volunteer Numbers Fall Short

In recent months, Germany has advanced significant changes to its military recruitment system amid growing concerns over European security and Russia’s ongoing aggression in Ukraine.

New Military Service Reform

The German government under Chancellor Friedrich Merz has introduced a significant reform of the country’s military recruitment policy. The changes aim to strengthen the Bundeswehr — Germany’s armed forces — by significantly increasing the number of personnel available, including full-time soldiers and reservists. 

Under the reform:

• Military service remains voluntary for now, while the government seeks to attract a larger group of recruits with improved incentives, including financial benefits and training opportunities. 
• All 18-year-olds will be required to fill out a questionnaire assessing their willingness and fitness to serve, though this alone does not constitute conscription. 

Contingency for Compulsory Service

Critically, the reform includes provisions for compulsory military service should voluntary recruitment fall short of the targets needed to meet Germany’s defence goals, particularly in the face of what Berlin describes as Russia as a persistent threat to European security. 

Although conscription was formally suspended in Germany in 2011, the new law would allow the government to reactivate a form of mandatory service “based on necessity” if insufficient numbers of volunteers are forthcoming. 

Political Context and Debate

The proposal has sparked debate within Germany:

• Supporters, including some in Chancellor Merz’s conservative coalition, argue that expanding the armed forces is essential given ongoing instability on Europe’s eastern flank. 
• Critics point out historical sensitivities in Germany regarding military conscription and warn against measures that could be seen as militarising society. 

Why the Change Now?

The discussion comes against the backdrop of:

• Russia’s war in Ukraine, now in its fourth year, has reshaped defence policies across NATO and the EU. 
• Pressure to meet NATO force goals and to better prepare European defences without over-reliance on external partners.