Germany has suspended a controversial requirement that would have forced men under 45 to seek military approval for extended stays abroad, following public outcry over the newly implemented conscription law.
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced the exemption, stating that during peacetime, no permission procedures will be enforced while military service remains voluntary. "Whether they are 17 or 45, or anywhere in between – everyone is, of course, free to travel and currently does not need permission to do so," Pistorius told the German Press Agency.
"During this peacetime period, there will be no permission procedures. We are suspending the permission requirement as long as military service is voluntary."
The requirement had been part of the Military Service Modernisation Act that took effect on January 1, which aims to strengthen Germany's defenses in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The law reintroduces conscription in principle, though it will only be implemented if voluntary enlistment falls short.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz has expressed ambitions to build Europe's strongest conventional army, reflecting Germany's shifting defense posture. As part of this effort, all 18-year-olds are now receiving questionnaires about their willingness to join the armed forces—mandatory for men and voluntary for women.
Starting in July 2027, all 18-year-old men will undergo mandatory medical examinations to assess their fitness for potential military service. Pistorius emphasized that while the approval requirement is suspended for now, appropriate procedures would be established in the event of a national crisis, describing the regulation as "a precautionary measure."