General · 5 December 2025
Germany introduces voluntary military service from 2026
Germany's parliament voted 323-272 to introduce voluntary military service from January 2026, requiring all 18-year-olds to complete questionnaires about joining the armed forces. The measure, part of Chancellor Friedrich Merz's plan to build Europe's strongest conventional army, aims to boost troop numbers from 182,000 to 260,000. While questionnaire completion is mandatory for men only, service remains voluntary initially with €2,600 monthly salaries offered. The decision sparked youth protests across 90 cities, with students rejecting military training requirements.
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