After weeks of dispute, representatives from the Union and SPD have reached a fundamental agreement on military service reform. The service will initially remain voluntary, but all men will be mandatorily mustered in the future. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has prevailed on key points.
The negotiation group from the Union and SPD has reached an agreement on the new military service law after weeks of conflict. Both coalition parties confirmed this unanimously. On Thursday, the parliamentary groups will be informed in special sessions and give their approval.
The military service remains voluntary, but all men will be mandatorily mustered. This is a win for Minister Pistorius (SPD), who demanded full registration for tension or defense cases. The Union had proposed a lottery system for limited mustering, but Pistorius strongly opposed it in an SPD group meeting in mid-October.
Mustering is set to begin in July 2027 for men born in 2008. From the turn of the year, men must fill out an online questionnaire on health, fitness, and willingness; women and non-binary individuals can do so voluntarily. The Union secured a corridor for Bundeswehr personnel growth until 2035. If the force does not reach 260,000 active soldiers plus 200,000 reservists – due to the Russian threat and NATO plans – limited conscription via lottery will apply, regulated by another law.
The status of voluntary service members remains unchanged, with higher pay for shorter terms. The agreement was reached late Wednesday evening with Pistorius and negotiators including Thomas Erndl (CSU), Falko Droßmann (SPD), Norbert Röttgen (CDU), and Siemtje Möller (SPD). The law is expected to take effect in early 2026.