In Germany, men aged 17–45 are required to obtain permission to leave the country for more than three months
Kyiv • UNN
Starting in 2026, men aged 17-45 must obtain Bundeswehr permission to leave Germany for more than three months. The rule is permanently in effect during peacetime.
In Germany, changes to the conscription law came into force at the beginning of 2026, according to which men aged 17 and older must obtain permission before leaving the country for an extended period. This was reported by Berliner Zeitung, according to UNN.
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From January 1, 2026, all men aged 17 to 45 must obtain permission from the Bundeswehr Career Center if they wish to leave Germany for more than three months – regardless of whether it is a semester abroad, work, or a long trip. This requirement is now permanent and is no longer limited to situations of tension or defense, i.e., a specific military threat. The change came into force practically unnoticed as part of the Military Service Modernization Act.
Specifically, Section 2 of the Compulsory Military Service Act (WPflG) was revised. Previously, the provisions of Section 3, which regulates the requirement for permission for long-term stays abroad, applied exclusively in two extreme situations: a state of tension, i.e., an increased external threat defined by the Bundestag or NATO, and a state of defense, when federal territory is actually attacked by an armed force. However, since the beginning of the year, this provision also applies outside these exceptional situations – i.e., under normal circumstances.
A spokeswoman for the Federal Ministry of Defense confirmed the new permit requirement to Ippen.Media. "The prerequisites and guiding principle of this provision are to create a reliable and informative military register for use when needed," she explained. It is important "to know in an emergency who may be abroad for a long period."
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At the same time, the German Ministry of Defense acknowledged that the consequences of this provision are "serious." They are currently working on "more specific rules for granting exceptions to the permit requirement," as well as to "avoid unnecessary bureaucracy." However, the spokeswoman asked for understanding, saying that they cannot anticipate the current review process. A final description of the procedure is "not yet possible."
Although Section 3 of the Military Service Act stipulates that permits should generally be granted – meaning refusal is not foreseen – the application process remains mandatory. The German Ministry of Defense has not considered the potential consequences if a man does not obtain permission before leaving the country.
The publication notes that the permit requirement is part of a larger reform package. The German government intends to increase the size of the Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces) from the current level of approximately 184,000 to 255,000–270,000 soldiers by 2035. To this end, all young people born in 2008 or later will receive a questionnaire asking them, among other things, about their willingness to perform military service. Filling it out is mandatory for men and voluntary for women, as the Basic Law (German Constitution) provides for military conscription only for men.
The conscription process itself will be introduced gradually. In 2026, those who indicated their willingness in the questionnaire will be the first to undergo medical examinations. Nationwide conscription of all young men will be introduced later. The principle of voluntariness remains unchanged: no one will be forced to serve in the German armed forces.
For millions of men in Germany, it remains unclear how the new travel permit requirement will be implemented in practice – and what will happen if they simply do not know about it.