Germany’s cabinet approved a draft bill on Wednesday establishing voluntary military service, as part of measures to strengthen the Bundeswehr and enhance national defense amid heightened security threats following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
The initiative seeks to raise the number of active soldiers from 182,000 to 260,000 by the early 2030s to meet new NATO force targets.
Under the plan, all 18-year-old males would be required to complete an online questionnaire evaluating their willingness and suitability for military service, while participation for females would remain voluntary.
Germany ended its compulsory military service program in 2011 and has since faced challenges in meeting troop targets. The defense ministry hopes to recruit 20,000 volunteers in 2026, increasing to 38,000 by 2030.
In a statement, the government explained that while service is voluntary under the proposal, compulsory enlistment may be considered if security risks increase or too few volunteers come forward, subject to parliamentary approval.
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said he expects voluntary service to remain voluntary.
“With attractive military service, I am very confident we will succeed in attracting young men and women to the Bundeswehr,” he told Deutschlandfunk.
The draft bill now moves to parliament for consideration.
Meanwhile, military recruitment in Germany is on the rise, with the Bundeswehr reporting a 28% jump in new enlistments during the first half of this year after stepping up advertising campaigns.
