Starting this week, German teenagers who turn 18 years old will be legally required to answer questions about their fitness for military service. The new scheme comes after the country’s Government last month voted to introduce voluntary military service.
Those who refuse to the questionnaire, called a “declaration of readiness,” from the age of 18 face a fine of up to €1,000.
In December, Germany’s parliament, the Bundestag, voted to introduce voluntary military service – a decision geared towards bolstering national defence amid growing fears of a conflict in Europe. The move was explicitly in response to Russia’s war in Ukraine, and concerns that a direct conflict may unfold between NATO and Moscow in the next three years.
German leadership has insisted that conscription is not being reintroduced, however the approach marks a change for a nation that suspended military service back in 2011.
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorious has ordered preparations under the new law, effective from January 1 2026, which brings back mandatory military registration and requires medical examination for all males aged 18.
Part of the approach to incentivise joining the armed forces includes higher pay and better incentives, with those recruited to receive a monthly pay of €2,600.
National media reports that up to 700,000 men and women of conscription age could be placed on initial military registration in Germany this year under the new defence rules.
The form has been seen by newspapers including The Daily Telegraph and included questions asking youths how fit they are to fight, how interested they are in joining the military, and how soon they could be ready for service.
In addition, from July 2027, all male 18-year-olds will be legally required to attend a military medical examination assessing their fitness for service.
The new scheme has been significantly toned down from an original proposal to reintroduce conscription for German youths put forward by Friedrich Merz, the German chancellor. The scheme has been met with opposition from senior members of Germany’s centre-Left Social Democrats (SPD) party, which has called for it to remain voluntarily. Yet, the government has not ruled out bringing back full conscription if the initiative fails to produce sufficient recruits.
In March, Berlin lifted all funding restrictions – often referred to as the Schuldenbremse or “debt brake” – on the undeswehr’s defence spending, marking a major shake-up to Germany’s post-war policy.
German youth also must provide basic personal information including weight, age, qualifications, and languages they speak. The form includes a self-assessment section for respondents, who can rate their physical fitness from ‘very good’ to ‘low.’
The Defence Ministry estimates that around 54,000 surveys will be sent out monthly from January. Women aged 18 and over are not obliged to take part, however they may complete the survey voluntarily if they have an interest in joining the armed forces.
The survey includes information on career paths, with various divisions available to join, with respondents informed about the army, navy, air force, cyber security and logistical support as possible avenues.
The German ministry of defence has said that the army will have powers to call the police on youth who repeatedly refuse to attend the exam.
Indications that Europe could be gearing up for war have come from other countries too, including France, where a new, voluntary form of national service has been launched.
Enrolling in the 10 month scheme will earn recruits €10,000. In Poland, a military training scheme launched in November has a stated goal of training 400,000 people.
A new recruitment push is also beginning in Britain from this month, which promises to give experience to those aged under-25 and interested in military life.
In July, The Irish Times reported that Ireland’s military intelligence unit is seeking enhanced surveillance powers to counter threats to national security, amid a significant phase of rebranding and restructuring.
The overhaul is happening in line with the programme for government’s pledge to review military intelligence structures to ensure they are “optimised to protect national security”.