Berlin: Germany’s cabinet has approved a draft bill introducing voluntary military service as part of efforts to bolster national defence in response to growing security concerns over Russia. The proposal also leaves open the possibility of reinstating compulsory conscription, abolished more than a decade ago.
The plan foresees a six-month voluntary service program designed to expand the Bundeswehr’s pool of trained reservists, currently about 100,000. The Defence Ministry hopes some recruits will continue into active duty, helping meet NATO commitments and strengthen deterrence against Moscow.
“The Bundeswehr must grow. The international security situation, above all Russia’s aggressive posture, makes this necessary. We don’t just need a well-equipped force, but also one strong in terms of personnel. Only then will deterrence be truly credible,” Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said.
Today, the Federal Cabinet adopted comprehensive measures to strengthen the Bundeswehr and enhance military security. These include draft legislation on modernising military service and reinforcing the Bundeswehr‘s operational capability. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/QpkltHPYAi
— Germany at NATO (@GermanyNATO) August 27, 2025
Under the bill, annual recruitment targets would rise from 20,000 volunteers in 2026 to 38,000 by 2030. Should those numbers fall short, the government could reinstate compulsory enlistment, subject to parliamentary approval.
Germany ended mandatory military service in 2011 and has since struggled to meet troop targets. Pistorius has set an ambitious goal of expanding troop strength from today’s 180,000 to 260,000 by the early 2030s as part of Berlin’s broader push to boost defence spending after Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
The proposal has already sparked debate within the governing coalition. Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s conservatives argue that Bundestag approval could delay the reintroduction of conscription and want automatic triggers in case volunteer targets are missed.
Germany is planning to introduce voluntary military service.
From 2026, 18-year-old men will need to fill out a questionnaire to assess their suitability (optional for women).
Those suitable can choose to undergo military training for at least 6 months. pic.twitter.com/5JIcmWuOMR
— German Embassy London (@GermanEmbassy) August 27, 2025
Lawmakers in Pistorius’ Social Democrats (SPD), however, stress the priority should be making the Bundeswehr an attractive employer rather than reverting to mandatory service.
To attract recruits, the Defence Ministry has launched regional advertising campaigns, career events, and troop visit centres. These efforts have begun to pay off: between January and late July, more than 13,700 new soldiers enlisted, a 28 percent increase from the same period last year and the steepest rise in years, according to official figures.
The draft bill is expected to face a contentious debate in parliament, seen as a test of Germany’s readiness to strengthen its armed forces in line with NATO’s expectations.
