Germany Suspends Travel Restrictions for Military-Age Men Amid Conscription Law Controversy

Germany’s Defence Minister, Boris Pistorius, has clarified that men of military age do not need to report lengthy stays abroad, following concerns over a new law that reintroduces conscription.

The Military Service Modernisation Act, which came into effect on 1 January 2026, is intended to strengthen Germany’s armed forces in response to security concerns following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Initially, a requirement for males aged 17 and older to obtain prior approval for stays abroad longer than three months went largely unnoticed until it was reported by a German newspaper last week.

Speaking to the German Press Agency (DPA), Pistorius confirmed that the requirement would be suspended during peacetime. “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,” he said. He added that lengthy stays abroad would also not need to be reported, and that permission procedures would only be established in the event of a crisis.

The law technically reintroduces conscription but will only be implemented if voluntary enlistment fails to meet the army’s needs. As part of the new system, all 18-year-old men in Germany receive a questionnaire asking if they are interested in joining the armed forces. While the questionnaire is mandatory for men, it is voluntary for women. Starting in July 2027, all 18-year-old men will also undergo a medical exam to assess their fitness for potential military service.

Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz has stated his goal of creating Europe’s strongest conventional army. Pistorius described the temporary suspension of the travel approval requirement as a precautionary measure designed to balance security needs with individual freedoms during peacetime.

The clarification comes amid public debate over the implications of reinstating conscription and how the law will operate in practice.