The Defense Ministry draws a positive balance five months after the launch of the new voluntary military service. Around 298,200 letters were sent by mid-June 2026.
As of 18 June 2026 the Bundeswehr had sent roughly 153,200 questionnaires to men and 145,000 to people of other genders. 96 percent of the men responded, while the return rate among the others stood at four percent.
More than one in five men expressed interest in military service. So far around 1,500 assessments have been carried out, and 530 candidates are scheduled for 2026. The ministry is now examining administrative offence proceedings against the remaining four percent of men.
Classical recruitment rose in parallel: 38,500 applications arrived this year, up 24 percent from the previous year. Enlistments climbed 13 percent to 11,000. The new military service law has been in force since 1 January 2026.
