Voluntary military service: what you earn
Wehrsold instead of salary
In voluntary military service you receive Wehrsold under the Wehrsoldgesetz, not pay under the Bundesbesoldungsgesetz. The Bundeswehr pays this Wehrsold in advance for the current month. Voluntary military service lasts six to eleven months. The first six months are a probation period with termination by both sides.
You need German citizenship and you must have completed full-time compulsory schooling. The minimum age is 18 years, or 17 years with the consent of the legal guardians.
The statutory amounts
In the lowest rank, for example as Jäger, Flieger or Schütze, the basic Wehrsold amount is 2,600 euros per month. After promotion to Gefreiter the basic amount rises to 2,630 euros. As Obergefreiter the statutory basic amount is 2,650 euros. These amounts stand in the annex to the Wehrsoldgesetz (WSG), source BGBl. 2025 I Nr. 370.
The child allowance is 115 euros per child under § 4 Absatz 2 and the annex. The amount follows column 4 of the table in the annex.
What else is included
Allowances for family members and payments for functions, hardship and extra time can be added. Abroad you receive an overseas allowance of 495 euros to 542 euros depending on rank. The lowest rank and Gefreiter receive 495 euros, Obergefreiter receive 542 euros.
Pension, unemployment, health and long-term care contributions are not deducted from Wehrsold. The Bundeswehr pays these contributions in full as the employer and provides free medical care. Home leave travel and train travel in uniform remain free of charge for you.
After twelve months
From a commitment of twelve months you become a Soldat auf Zeit. That status falls under the Bundesbesoldungsgesetz instead of the Wehrsoldgesetz. After voluntary military service a follow-on commitment in the same rank is possible.
Further information
Who must register and attend Musterung is explained in the tip on who is affected in 2026. What the modernisation act changes is explained in the tip on the law. The statutory Wehrsold table is in the annex to the Wehrsoldgesetz.
Open the Wehrsoldgesetz annex →
Open the Bundeswehr voluntary service page →
Tip: who is affected in 2026 →
Open the military service topic →