In Germany, more than 12 thousand people applied to refuse military service
In Germany, 12,102 applications for conscientious objection to military service were received in the first eight months of 2026. This is more than three times the total figure recorded during the previous year. The increase is attributed to the worsening security situation and the start of sending military service questionnaires to young people.
More than 12 thousand people in Germany have applied to object to military service
According to the Funke media group, citing the Federal Office for Family and Civil Society Affairs (BAFzA), 3,879 applications for conscientious objection to military service were received during 2025. In January–August of the current year, this figure exceeded 12 thousand.
An office representative stated that applicants often make mistakes when filling out the documents. Some applications are returned without consideration because their content does not meet the requirements to justify objection to military service. Therefore, not all received applications have been approved.
The law on reforming the military service system in Germany entered into force on January 1, 2026. According to it, young men and women who have reached the age of 18 are sent a questionnaire to determine their readiness and fitness to serve in the army. It is mandatory for young men to fill it out, while responding is optional for young women.
Compulsory military service, which has been suspended in the country since 2011, has not yet been reintroduced. However, if the number of volunteers does not cover the designated need, the Bundestag may introduce a "selective compulsory military service" procedure through a separate law. Germany plans to increase the number of active military personnel to 260 thousand by 2035.
The possibility of reinstating compulsory service is also causing protests among young people. In September, major protest demonstrations involving school students were held in several cities across the country.
Meanwhile, the Bundeswehr is expanding its methods of recruiting new personnel. In particular, the armed forces are participating with their own stand at Gamescom in Cologne, one of the world's largest video game exhibitions.
At the same time, the German Ministry of Defense announced that the number of people serving in the army has also increased. At the end of July 2026, there were 186,700 military personnel in the ranks of the Bundeswehr. This is the highest figure in the last 13 years, which is 3,700 more compared to the same period last year.
According to official Bundeswehr data, nearly 378 thousand questionnaires were sent out by the end of July, and 2,630 candidates underwent the fitness assessment process. The number of applications received to enter military service so far has reached 47,300 — which is 26 percent more compared to the corresponding period of last year.