Conscription fears develop as nation tells males they want ‘permission’ to go away
Men aged 17–45 may now reportedly have to seek approval before spending more than three months abroad under changes linked to a European country’s new voluntary service framework
German Bundeswehr troops march during a public ceremony to mark the expansion of Germany’s Lithuania military commitment on February 4, 2026 in Kaunas, Lithuania(Image: Getty Images)
German men aged 17 to 45 could reportedly now be required to get permission before spending extended periods outside the country. The reported changes are seemingly linked to a new voluntary service framework introduced under the Military Service Modernisation Act.
The legislation, which took effect on January 1, is designed to strengthen Germany’s defences amid heightened security concerns after Russia ’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In comments provided to the BBC, a defence ministry spokesperson reportedly said males aged 17 and over must seek prior approval for any stay abroad lasting more than three months.
Although the rule exists, it is expected that permissions would normally be granted.
Moreover, it is still unclear what would happen if someone failed to comply or how any breach would be enforced. The requirement reportedly attracted little public attention until the Frankfurter Rundschau, a major German daily newspaper, highlighted it on Friday (March 3).
Explaining the move, the defence ministry spokesperson said the regulation was meant to “ensure a reliable and meaningful military registration system”, the BBC reported. They added: “In the event of an emergency, we must know who may be staying abroad for an extended period.”
The ministry also reportedly warned the impact on young people could be significant, saying consequences could be “far-reaching”. They further noted that rules on exemptions are being prepared “in part to avoid unnecessary bureaucracy”.
The authority for the change comes from Germany’s 1956 Conscription Act, which has been revised several times, most recently in December. Before that amendment, the obligation to declare longer stays overseas applied only if Germany had entered a national defence or mobilisation situation, according to the BBC.
A defence ministry official said a comparable rule was “in effect during the Cold War and had no practical relevance”. Alongside the new travel-notification requirement, the Modernisation Act outlines a longer-term expansion of the armed forces, aiming to raise active personnel from roughly 180,000 to 260,000 by 2035.
Separately, in December Germany’s parliament approved the introduction of voluntary military service.
From January, all 18-year-olds are to receive a questionnaire asking whether they want to join the armed forces, as per the BBC.
The German “travel-notification” system highlights shared European struggles with troop shortages while strengthening NATO’s collective defence, impacting UK strategic planning and recruitment alternatives.
Nevertheless, British policy remains focused on voluntary enlistment and retention measures, such as improving service accommodation and incentives, while the broader defence concept prioritises capability: making a smaller force markedly more effective through technology including AI-enabled systems, drones and uncrewed platforms.
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