Germany to Reintroduce Voluntary National Service for 18-Year-Olds to Boost NATO Readiness

Germany is set to reintroduce voluntary national service for 18-year-olds, who will now be surveyed for their interest in joining the Bundeswehr as part of an effort to strengthen national defense and meet NATO obligations.

The proposal requires men turning 18 in 2025—estimated at around 300,000—to complete a digital questionnaire regarding their willingness to serve. Young women will also receive the survey but are not required to respond. The initiative follows Germany's decision to end conscription in 2011, which halted the registration of 18-year-olds and left the country without an updated list of potential recruits. With the survey, the Bundeswehr aims to identify "the best and most motivated candidates" for military service, lasting between six and 23 months.

This renewed focus on military readiness comes as Germany, a NATO member, emphasizes the need to strengthen both national and collective deterrence and defense capabilities. In a statement on social media platform X, Germany at NATO highlighted the importance of a robust reserve force.

The war in Ukraine has reignited discussions within Germany about military service, particularly amid concerns over Russia's actions. Similar debates have emerged in the U.K., where former MI6 chief Sir Alex Younger suggested that Britain should consider a Swedish-style conscription model to bolster its defense capacity.

The passing of the draft law for reintroducing national service coincides with political upheaval in Germany. Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s three-way coalition recently collapsed due to disagreements over budget reforms, throwing the nation’s leadership into uncertainty. Amid calls for Scholz to hold a confidence vote and schedule elections in January, Germany faces dual challenges of military reform and economic contraction.