Germany Agrees to Keep Military Service Voluntary Under New Defence Plan

Germany’s coalition government has reached an agreement to maintain voluntary military service while introducing a new model aimed at strengthening the country’s armed forces, Defence Minister Boris Pistorius announced on Thursday.

The decision follows weeks of internal debate within Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s administration over whether a compulsory element should be reintroduced amid growing security concerns in Europe.

Under the proposed plan, beginning next year, all 18-year-old men will be required to complete a questionnaire indicating whether they are interested in serving in the military.

Those who express interest will then undergo a physical fitness assessment to determine their suitability for enlistment.

However, participation will remain strictly voluntary, and no one will be compelled to join the Bundeswehr, Germany’s armed forces.

Defence Minister Pistorius, who has long pushed for measures to make military service more attractive to young people, said the reform is part of broader efforts to expand recruitment and modernize the force. “Our goal is to build a motivated and capable army based on commitment, not compulsion,” he said.

The move comes as Chancellor Merz continues to prioritize defence reforms and a stronger military posture in response to what he described as “a more dangerous and unpredictable world.” With the war in Ukraine and uncertainty over the future of the United States’ security guarantees to Europe, Merz has vowed to turn the Bundeswehr into the strongest conventional army in Europe.

Germany has already committed to a significant increase in defence spending, surpassing the NATO target of 2 percent of GDP.

The government also plans to invest heavily in modern equipment, infrastructure, and personnel welfare to improve readiness and morale across the armed forces.

Analysts see the new voluntary model as a compromise between those calling for a full return to conscription suspended in 2011 and those insisting on maintaining a professional, all-volunteer force.

If approved by Parliament, the policy is expected to take effect in 2026 after a pilot phase beginning next year.