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The German defense ministry confirmed on Thursday, July 24th, that Germany is aiming to reintroduce compulsory screening for military service among 18-year-old men.
Starting in 2028, all 18-year-old men would undergo formal screening to determine their fitness for service.
Under the new plan all 18-year-old German men would be required to complete a questionnaire assessing their willingness and readiness to serve in the armed forces. The same questionnaire would be optional for women.
While compulsory screening is a first step, the strategy for now remains focused on voluntary enlistment. To make military service more appealing, the government plans to offer incentives such as training in new technologies and language courses.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz previously called for building “the strongest conventional army in Europe.” That might prove to be a challenge, given the willingness to defend Germany shown in several recent surveys.
According to a 2024 Gallup survey, only 57% of Germans would be willing to defend their country if it was attacked.
