Germany is edging towards compulsory military conscription for the first time in more than a decade as fears mount that Russia could one day strike NATO.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz has unveiled a sweeping plan to strengthen the German armed forces and hinted that conscription could return if efforts to boost voluntary recruitment fail.
The proposal, approved by the cabinet on Wednesday, marks the most significant step toward reintroducing national service since it was scrapped in 2011.
It comes as Germany faces growing pressure to bolster its defences, with officials warning that Russia could target NATO territory in the coming years.
The draft legislation talks about the security concerns, saying: ‘Russia will remain the greatest threat to security in Europe for the foreseeable future and is creating the military personnel and material prerequisites to be able to attack NATO territory within a few years.’
Under the plan, all men turning 18 will, from next year, be required to complete a detailed questionnaire about their fitness and willingness to serve in the Bundeswehr (Germany’s army). Women can do so voluntarily.
By 2027, medical exams will also become mandatory for men. Officials argue that this system would allow the government to move quickly if full conscription is needed.
The bill adds: ‘If mandatory conscription for basic military service has to be activated, because conscription data will then already be available and will not have to be collected in this situation.’
Under the plan, all men turning 18 will, from next year, be required to complete a detailed questionnaire about their fitness and willingness to serve in the Bundeswehr
The government wants the Bundeswehr to expand from around 180,000 troops to 260,000
Young army recruits in Germany attend a swearing-in ceremony – the country is edging towards compulsory military service for the first time in more than a decade
It comes as Germany faces growing pressure to bolster its defences, with officials warning that Russia could target NATO territory
Germany’s defence minister, Boris Pistorius, told reporters: ‘The Bundeswehr must grow. The international security situation, especially Russia’s aggressive behaviour, demands this.’
The government wants the Bundeswehr to expand from around 180,000 troops to 260,000, plus a major increase in reservists.
At the moment, the military expects to recruit just 15,000 new soldiers this year, far short of the numbers needed.
Pistorius added: ‘We need not just well-equipped forces, we are going at full speed on that … we also need a Bundeswehr that is strong in terms of personnel. Only then is deterrence toward Russia really credible.’
Germany has already invested billions in modernising its military since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. It set up a €100 billion special fund and loosened strict budget rules to allow for more spending.
Merz has said his goal is to make the Bundeswehr ‘the strongest conventional army in Europe.’
But there remain obstacles – an end to compulsory service in 2011 left the army struggling to attract recruits.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz has unveiled a sweeping plan to strengthen the German armed forces and hinted that conscription could return
The new proposal comes with its own obstacles – an end to compulsory service in 2011 left the army struggling to attract recruits
Germany has already poured billions into modernising its military since Russia invaded Ukraine
The new plan offers better pay, short-term enlistment options and flexible training schemes to make joining more appealing.
Merz insisted this was the first step. He said: ‘Our aim is to make military service more attractive and bring in more young people to serve in the Bundeswehr. If we determine that we need to make adjustments, we will do so.’
However, even Pistorius admitted that appeals alone might not work. He insisted: ‘There is no guarantee that voluntary participation will be sufficient.
Polls suggest six in ten Germans would support conscription if the army cannot meet its targets, but most people aged 18 to 29 – the group most affected – oppose it.
Only 16 percent of Germans say they would definitely fight if the country were attacked.
If the draft returns, those who object to military service would be able to opt for civilian roles such as hospital work or emergency response, as before.
On Wednesday, around 70 anti-war activists gathered outside a Bundeswehr careers centre in Cologne to protest. Within Merz’s own coalition, the Social Democrats have raised concerns, preferring voluntary enlistment.
However, Markus Söder, leader of the Christian Social Union, backed Merz and said: ‘There will be no way around conscription.’
The new plan offers better pay, short-term enlistment options and flexible training schemes
Only 16 percent of Germans say they would definitely fight if the country was attacked
Speaking on German TV, he warned: ‘I don’t think we are going to manage with these appeals by making the Bundeswehr a bit more attractive. I think there won’t be a way past compulsory service.
‘Some say Putin could be in a position to challenge NATO in 2027, others in 2029 – why wait if we already know today at least that the danger is there?’
The cabinet decision came after NATO’s supreme commander in Europe, U.S. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, briefed ministers on the worsening security situation.
