Bundestag Approves Reform Of German Military Service

• 5.12.2025, 14:30

The new law provides for a significant increase in the size of the army.

The lower house of the German parliament has passed a military service reform that was preceded by fierce discussions in the ruling coalition.

According to Spiegel.

After a long struggle, the Bundestag passed a new conscription law to strengthen the Bundeswehr.

Bundestag Vice President Omid Nuripour (Green Party) announced the results of the vote: 596 votes were cast. Of these, 323 votes in favor, 272 votes against, 1 abstention

The new law stipulates that 18-year-old men will again be required to undergo a conscription medical examination, but service with weapons will remain voluntary for the time being.

The legislation provides for a significant increase in the number of military personnel, primarily on a voluntary basis.

But in the event of a shortage of recruits, compulsory service could later be introduced after subsequent legislative approval. The particularly contentious issue of who will be subject to compulsory conscription and how this can be implemented fairly has not yet been decided.

The Bundesrat (upper house) has yet to approve the law. The law is due to come into force in January 2026. The previous conscription system was suspended in 2011.

The ruling coalition parties reached a compromise on the new military service model in November.

Members of the CDU/CSU bloc criticized the bill for not stating under what circumstances voluntary service could switch to a compulsory system. As a result, the bill's passage in the Bundestag was delayed.