German men 18-45 need military permit to leave country for longer than 3 months

10 hours ago

A new military service law took effect in Germany in 2026 to boost armed forces strength amid European security threats from the Ukraine war.
Men aged 18–46 must obtain approval from a Bundeswehr Career Center to leave Germany for more than three months, regardless of reason.
The military says this ensures knowledge of men living abroad long-term in case of war, but permits are generally granted as service is voluntary.
No penalties exist for violating the permit requirement, a regulation previously in place during the Cold War with no practical relevance.
The law aims to increase active-duty soldiers from 180,000 to 260,000 by 2035, with military service remaining voluntary for now.
All 18-year-old men must fill out a form on education, health, and willingness to serve; women have no such requirement.
From mid-2027, men turning 18 will also undergo a fitness test for potential drafting during conflict, a controversial measure criticized as a step toward conscription.

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