Germany's Defence Minister Boris Pistorius announced that men of military age no longer need to report lengthy stays abroad. This statement follows controversy surrounding a new military service law that re-establishes conscription in Germany.
The Military Service Modernisation Act, enacted on January 1, aims to enhance Germany's defenses in response to threats from Russia due to its actions in Ukraine. Previously, males aged 17 and above were required to secure approval for overseas trips longer than three months, a regulation that had gone largely unnoticed until recently.
Now, Pistorius has clarified that individuals aged 17 to 45 are exempt from obtaining such permissions. During this peacetime period, there will be no permission procedures. We are suspending the permission requirement as long as military service is voluntary, he stated, assuring that lengthy stays abroad will not need to be reported.
Pistorius defended the regulation as a precautionary measure but mentioned that appropriate procedures would be established in the event of a crisis. The new law indicates a potential return of conscription only if there are insufficient volunteers for military service.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz has expressed ambitions to establish Europe’s strongest conventional army, illustrating the government's commitment to fortifying military readiness amidst evolving geopolitical threats. As of January, all 18-year-olds in Germany are being sent a mandatory questionnaire concerning their willingness to enlist, with upcoming medical evaluations planned for 2027.
