Germany will summon all 18-year-old men for military medical examinations as part of a new recruitment strategy designed to strengthen the Bundeswehr, The Times reported on Thursday.
Although mandatory military service will not be reinstated, the government aims to expand the country’s reserve forces and boost interest in voluntary service by offering young men a firsthand look at military life.
A New Recruitment Model After Months of Political Disputes
The governing coalition reached this decision after months of internal disagreements over the future of conscription, which was suspended in 2011.
According to the plan, Germany will:
- Call all 18-year-old men for medical and aptitude evaluations
- Train up to 5,000 new young recruits annually for the reserves
- Establish a “rapid recruitment” mechanism for emergencies
Women will also be able to join, but only on a voluntary basis.
Bundeswehr Faces Massive Shortfall
The Bundeswehr must recruit an additional 80,000 professional soldiers to reach NATO’s target force size of 260,000 personnel.
The reserve force is even more strained. Today, only 34,000 active reservists are available, but military planners estimate the number will eventually need to reach 200,000.
Officials hope that mandatory attendance at medical examinations will help normalize the idea of military service among German youth, mitigating the Bundeswehr’s chronic recruiting problems.
Inspired by the Swedish System
Germany’s model mirrors Sweden’s “selective conscription” system, where only the most motivated and capable candidates are drafted.
Selected recruits will serve between seven and 23 months, depending on their training track and commitment level.
A Controversial Question: What If There Aren’t Enough Volunteers?
The most sensitive issue remains unresolved: what happens if the annual quota of 3,000–5,000 volunteers is not met?
The reform plan allows for limited mandatory drafting to fill the gaps, though the government has not yet clarified how the process will function.
To make service more attractive, incentives include:
- €2,600 monthly post-tax salary
- Subsidies for obtaining a driver’s license
Political Reactions
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said the program is becoming “increasingly popular” among young people.
Meanwhile, Jens Spahn, senior MP from the center-right CDU, emphasized that once the system becomes fully operational in 2027, it will require contacting and medically screening over 700,000 young people each year, sparking broader debate on defense obligations.
“This will ensure real discussions about military service and why it is truly necessary,” Spahn said.
