Germany Begins Mandatory Questionnaire for 18-Year-Olds on Military Service Readiness
Berlin, Germany — Beginning 1 January 2026, the German government has implemented a new military service framework that requires all citizens turning 18 to complete a detailed questionnaire about their personal qualifications and willingness to serve in the armed forces. The move is part of a broader strategy to strengthen the Bundeswehr — Germany’s federal military — amid growing regional security concerns, particularly regarding Russia’s ongoing aggression and NATO defence expectations. Bundesregierung+1
Under the new military service law approved by the Bundestag late in 2025, the questionnaire will be sent automatically to citizens on their 18th birthday:
18-year-old men are required by law to complete the questionnaire.
Women can voluntarily choose to complete it.
The form collects data on education, skills, physical fitness, and stated willingness to volunteer for service in the Bundeswehr.
Recipients are then invited to attend a mandatory medical examination to assess suitability for military service. Bundesregierung+1
Participation in the questionnaire and medical checkups is not currently equivalent to compulsory conscription, nor does it automatically enlist individuals into military service. However, the law formally reactivates Germany’s ability to identify and catalogue the pool of potentially available personnel in the event future geopolitical circumstances or recruitment shortfalls necessitate more direct measures. Bundesregierung
Why This Change Is Happening
Germany has faced a significant shortfall in military personnel following the suspension of mandatory conscription in 2011. Recruitment rates have lagged behind NATO targets, and political leaders argue that a larger, better-prepared force is essential in the face of evolving security threats. The new system is intended to help the Bundeswehr grow from around 184,000 active soldiers today to between 255,000 and 270,000 by the early 2030s, alongside an expanded reserve force. DW News
While the service itself remains technically voluntary, the law retains a pathway for the Bundestag to enact “needs-based” compulsory service if voluntary recruitment does not meet targets. In such a scenario, selections for required service could be made from among those registered via the questionnaire and medical database, following further parliamentary approval. WTOP News
Reactions Across Germany
The announcement and legislative approval have sparked widespread debate:
Government officials stress that the questionnaire and screenings are tools for planning and readiness, not a return to mass conscription.
Defense leaders have underscored the need for greater manpower to uphold NATO commitments and deter potential aggression.
Opposition figures and youth advocacy groups have organised protests and criticised the mandatory aspects of the programme, particularly the compulsory requirements placed on young men. WTOP News
Public opinion among younger Germans appears divided or sceptical about serving, with earlier polls indicating a majority of those under 30 are reluctant to take up arms if called upon. The Washington Post
What the Questionnaire Means in Practice
The survey and associated medical assessments do not, in their current form:
Force individuals into active military duty.
Impose immediate obligations to serve without further parliamentary action.
Reinstate the traditional draft model used prior to 2011.
Instead, they provide the Bundeswehr and federal government with a comprehensive database of eligible individuals, streamlining potential future recruitment or mobilisation should strategic needs change. Bundesregierung
This policy marks a significant shift in German defence policy — one that reflects broader European efforts to strengthen deterrence and readiness in an uncertain geopolitical environment. The Guardian
Aaron Joyce, Newswire, L.T.T Media; 2 January 2026
