Germany Restricts Travel For Men Of Conscription Age

• 4.04.2026, 9:26

The Bundestag passed laws aimed at reforming the Bundeswehr.

A law has come into force in Germany, according to which all men between the ages of 17 and 45 must obtain permission from the Bundeswehr if they want to travel abroad for more than three months. This was reported by German publication Berliner Zeitung.

According to BZ, the new law modernizing military service came into effect in Germany on January 1, 2026. German men between the ages of 17 and 45 must now notify the Bundeswehr Career Center and receive permission to travel before going abroad for an extended period of time. This requirement has been introduced on a permanent basis, not only, for example, in case of increased security measures.

Previously, German men had to obtain permission to travel abroad for an extended period of time in two cases. First, when there was an increased external threat to the FRG, as determined by the Bundestag or NATO. Second, in times of defense, when the country was actually subjected to external aggression. Germans must obtain permission for extended travel abroad for any purpose, whether for tourism, study or business trips.

The German Defense Ministry said the changes were necessary to keep the military database up to date and to let authorities know how many men of conscription age are abroad for extended periods.

It is said that violators will face "serious consequences," but did not specify which ones. The Bundestag passed several bills aimed at reforming the Bundeswehr in 2025 amid increasing hybrid threats from Russia, as outlined by Chancellor Friedrich Merz. It is envisioned, among other things, that the German army will increase from 184,000 to around 270,000 by 2035, and that full-fledged conscription into the Bundeswehr will begin again.