In Germany, 5,862 applications for conscientious objection to military service involving the use of weapons were submitted in the first half of 2026. These figures from the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs and Civil Society were confirmed by ARD. The figure has already exceeded the number of applications for the whole of 2025, when there were 3,879.
Briefly about the main points
- The BAFzA has received 5,862 applications to opt out of armed service.
- The figure for the first half of the year exceeded the full-year result for 2025.
- These appeals do not imply mass dismissals of serving military personnel.
- The new law has retained the voluntary nature of military service, but has reintroduced military registration.
- The reinstatement of conscription will require a separate decision by the Bundestag.
Applications are submitted not only by serving military personnel
This does not refer to applications to leave the Bundeswehr, but to applications for recognition of a refusal to perform military service involving the use of weapons on grounds of conscience. These are submitted, in particular, by people who have not previously served but wish to establish their position legally in advance.
According to The Guardian, 2,667 applications had been approved by the end of May. By way of comparison, 2,830 were approved in the whole of 2025. Simply submitting an application does not automatically grant status: each application is considered on a case-by-case basis.
The new service regulations have been in force since the start of the year
The new law on military service came into force on 1 January 2026. It did not reinstate universal conscription, but it did reintroduce the registration of potential conscripts: 18-year-old men and women are sent registration forms, and men are obliged to complete them.
The government also plans to introduce compulsory medical examinations for men born in 2008 from 1 July 2027. The Guardian attributes the rise in the number of applications to the new conscription rules and concerns amongst some young people about Germany’s possible involvement in future security operations. At the same time, official statistics do not record the motives of each applicant.
The exemption applies on the eve of a possible call-up
General conscription There is currently no compulsory military service in Germany: basic military service was suspended on 1 July 2011. A recognised conscientious objector cannot be compelled to serve in the armed forces if conscription is reinstated. In the event of a state of emergency or defence, they may be called up for alternative civilian service.
The reinstatement of conscription does not take place automatically. If voluntary enlistment does not result in the increase in numbers required by law, or if the security situation so requires, the government must initiate the relevant decision and the Bundestag must pass a separate law.
Recruitment to the Bundeswehr remains a government priority
Germany plans to increase the size of the Bundeswehr to 260,000 regular and contract personnel by 2035 and to establish a reserve force of 200,000. At the beginning of July, the number of active-duty personnel was estimated at approximately 186,000.
The number of applications to opt out of military service is not a direct indicator of a reduction in the size of the army, as a significant proportion of these applications are submitted by people with no prior military experience. At the same time, the surge in applications even before the start of medical examinations in 2027 may indicate that the change in the rules is already influencing the decisions of potential conscripts.
