04.04.2026 15:03
A new regulation that came into effect in Germany has imposed restrictions on the overseas travel of men of military age. According to this, men aged between 17 and 45 will need to obtain permission from the German army to stay outside the country for more than three months.
It was stated that men of military age in Germany are required to obtain permission from the German army before leaving the country for an extended period.
In a report by the Frankfurter Rundschau newspaper, it was reminded that the Military Service Modernization Law has come into effect.
The report indicated that the changes in the law have serious consequences for men of military age and mentioned that there is a regulation that came into effect without anyone's attention, stating in Article 3 of the relevant law that "men who have reached the age of 17 must obtain permission from the relevant career center of the German army when they wish to leave Germany for more than three months."
The report pointed out that this means men aged 17 to 45 must obtain permission from the German army when they want to leave Germany for more than three months, affecting those in this age group who will go abroad for education, start working, or travel for an extended period.
The report noted that the law includes a provision stating that "this permission must be granted as long as the person is not being called for military service," indicating that the rejection of applications is not foreseen, but obtaining permission is mandatory.
THE MINISTRY OF DEFENSE WANTS TO KNOW FOR EMERGENCIES
In a report based on the spokesperson of the Ministry of Defense cited by the German television channel NTV, it was stated that according to the current laws, military service is entirely based on voluntariness, and therefore such permissions should be granted in principle.
The report mentioned that the Ministry of Defense needs to know who is outside the country for an extended period for emergencies, and that concrete regulations are being prepared to introduce exceptions to the requirement of obtaining permission in order to prevent unnecessary bureaucracy.
The report noted that the Ministry left unanswered the question of what consequences men aged 17 to 45 would face if they do not obtain permission before leaving the country.
THE LAW CAME INTO EFFECT ON JANUARY 1
Germany aims to increase the total number of soldiers to 460,000 by 2035 due to threats arising from Russia and the resulting changes in NATO's plans.
In this context, the law regulating military service aimed at increasing the number of soldiers in the country came into effect on January 1.
According to the law, men will primarily be called to military service on a voluntary basis. However, if the targeted number of soldiers is not reached through voluntary applications, a need-based mandatory military service practice may be implemented to fill the gap.