Military Service and Federal Voluntary Service in Germany

Military Service Modernisation Act (effective 1^st January 2026):

Key innovations in the new military service include the introduction of a modern conscription registration and monitoring system

1. Conscription registration will be carried out via an online questionnaire sent to all 18-year-old German citizens living in Germany.

2. Men are obliged to complete this questionnaire.

3. However, women and people with another gender identity are under no obligation to do so.

4. As part of the conscription monitoring system, the data will be updated on a regular basis following a period of military service.

5. The suspension of mandatory basic military service in peacetime, which has been in effect since 1^st July 2011, will also remain unchanged. However, this suspension will be lifted not only upon the declaration of a state of tension or defence, as was previously the case. The suspension can also be lifted by new legislation if the security situation requires this and it is not possible to recruit sufficient personnel.

6. With the suspension of mandatory basic military service, there is no requirement to perform alternative non-military service. Consequently, non-military national service was likewise effectively suspended and at the same time, a Federal Voluntary Service was introduced.

Federal Voluntary Service

1. In a first phase, those who have expressed their willingness to perform voluntary military service and who appear suitable following evaluation of the questionnaires will be given a pre-induction examination. Comprehensive pre-induction examinations are scheduled to take place across Germany at 24 examination centres as of mid-2027.

2. Voluntary military service is for a minimum term of 6 months and can be extended by up to 5 months.

3. The basic prerequisites are that you hold German citizenship, are at least 17 years old, have completed compulsory full-time education and are fit for service in the armed forces.

Can Foreigners Perform Federal Voluntary Service

1. Foreigners can also perform Federal Voluntary Service, provided they have a residence permit that entitles them to take up gainful employment in Germany.

2. Volunteers from abroad can also be issued with a residence permit specifically for the purpose of performing Federal Voluntary Service in accordance with section 19c of the Residence Act and section 14 of the Ordinance on the Employment of Foreigners

Source: Federal Foreign Office, an article published in their website dated on 24.04.2026