The German government has signed off on a draft bill on bringing in voluntary military service as a major turning point in the defence policy of the country. Although the new bill gives voluntary recruitment top billing, it does leave room for mandatory conscription in case security requirements or manpower gaps occur.
The move comes amid heightened security concerns following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and growing pressure on European nations to strengthen their own defences. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has made rebuilding Germany’s military a top priority.
We are once again on the way to a military service army," Merz announced this year, emphasizing deterrence. "We want to be able to defend ourselves so that we don't have to defend ourselves.
It has already pledged to increase defence expenditure to 3.5% of economic output within the next four years, a big jump from where it previously was. This is after US President Donald Trump called on Europe to take on more responsibility in NATO.
Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has ambitious plans to boost the Bundeswehr's personnel from 182,000 soldiers today to 260,000 in the early 2030s. The number of reservists is also slated to increase to 200,000.
Pistorius highlighted faith in the voluntary system, saying in an interview with Deutschlandfunk radio: "With attractive pay and attractive military service, I am very confident that we will succeed in attracting young men and women to the Bundeswehr."
Recruitment campaigns seem to be paying off. The Bundeswehr has already registered a 28% increase in fresh recruits during the first half of 2025 compared to the same time last year.
Under the plan, all 18-year-olds in Germany will be invited to complete an online questionnaire assessing their willingness to serve and their physical fitness. For men, completing the form will be mandatory, while for women it will remain voluntary.
The administration explained the new service would be voluntary "as long as possible." But if recruitment numbers come up short or if the security situation worsens, the Bundestag might sanction a revival of the old forced service.
The proposed bill has elicited varied reactions. Quentin Gärtner, 18, Federal Pupils' Conference leader, showed support while urging more youth participation. "We can only do our share and shoulder our responsibility for our society when we are part of every decision that impacts our generation," he told the BBC.
In the political sphere, Social Democrats, who are junior coalition partners, have complained that the agenda should rather be directed towards making the Bundeswehr a more appealing employer. Conservative lawmakers maintain that compelling Bundestag approval before restoring the draft might trigger hazardous delays.
Politicians are not alone in criticism. Outside politics, critics are also resisting. Commentator Johannes Angermann cautioned that universal service would take "time and money" from young people, while protest group Rheinmetal Entwaffnen outright rejected the step, stating: "We will not fight your wars!"
With memories still fresh of conscription's past abolished in 2011 by Angela Merkel the debate picks up on Germany's dilemma of balancing pacifist post-war identity with contemporary defence requirements.
For the time being, the government is pinning its hopes on volunteer service to achieve NATO goals and secure Europe. But compulsory service is still very much on the table, highlighting just how seriously Berlin takes today's security threats.
