Germany's Ministry of Defense clarified to EFE on Tuesday that men aged 17 to 45 do not need to apply for permission for stays abroad of more than three months as long as military service remains voluntary, following the controversy sparked by the reform of a military law. After media outlets such as 'Frankfurter Rundschau' and 'Der Spiegel' highlighted the content of Article 3.2 of the reformed Military Service Law, which refers to the obligation for these men to request permission from the Bundeswehr if they want to leave Germany for more than 90 days, Defense pointed out that this point has no practical application while the service is voluntary. 'To avoid generating unnecessary bureaucratic procedures, the administrative regulations establish that the authorization is considered granted while military service is voluntary,' added the spokeswoman. Compulsory military service was suspended in Germany in 2011, but in the context of growing geopolitical tensions and its rearmament, the Government decided to modernize the military service law, which includes the reintroduction of mandatory elements with the possibility of forced conscription if there are not enough volunteers. The German government's goal is to reach 260,000 active soldiers —from the current 184,000— and 200,000 reservists by 2035. The ministry headed by Boris Pistorius explained to EFE that Article 3.2 has been maintained since the drafting of the law in times of the Cold War 'as a preventive measure in case the security situation deteriorates and it is necessary to introduce compulsory military service'. 'Then we will have to know who is available or who, in turn, is abroad for a prolonged period. In such a case, the notification and authorization obligations established by law could be applied directly and quickly,' the spokeswoman specified. The Ministry of Defense also noted that 'it has been expressly provided that exceptions may be admitted' and currently, the German Government is working to establish what these will be. For now, the Government bets on the voluntary nature of military service to increase the number of active soldiers. First, from July 1, 2027, men born in 2008 and later will be compulsorily subject to a medical and aptitude assessment. On the basis of the questionnaires and the results of the assessments, the Bundeswehr may, in case of defense, resort to a group of potential conscripts. Young people who decide to voluntarily participate in the new military service will receive a monthly remuneration of at least 2,600 euros gross. In the new German military service model, preference will be given to voluntarism for as long as possible, the coalition government led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz assured when presenting it. But if the security situation worsens or not enough volunteers come forward according to the established objectives, the German Bundestag or Lower House may approve, at the Government's proposal, a 'conscription according to needs' by law.
