Military Service Modernisation Act: what changed in 2026
Short answer
The Act on the Modernisation of Military Service applies in Germany from 1 January 2026. The Bundestag vote takes place on 5 December 2025. The Bundesrat approval takes place on 19 December 2025.
It is an ordinary statute and does not change the Basic Law. Military service itself stays voluntary and is not a duty to serve. A compulsory call-up does not follow from this Act.
What the Act changes
Military registration is modernised and adapted to current registration law. The task moves from the registration offices to the Bundeswehr administration. The Act thus relieves the registration offices of the Länder.
Men must submit a declaration of willingness as part of registration. For other genders the questionnaire and Musterung stay fully voluntary. Musterung is compulsory for men born after 31 December 2007. Musterung capacity is built up step by step according to the ministry.
What the Act does not do
This Act contains no automatic trigger for a compulsory call-up. A needs-based conscription requires a new act of the Bundestag. A lottery procedure also requires a new act of the Bundestag.
Conscription remains anchored in Article 12a of the Basic Law. The compulsory call-up has been suspended since the year 2011. It returns in a state of tension or a state of defence. The right to refuse armed military service remains independent of this Act.
What you do
You first check what the Act changes and what it does not change. Who must complete the questionnaire is explained in the tip who must register and attend Musterung. Further notes on the process are on the military service topic page.
Official sources
Open New military service at the Federal Ministry of Defence →
Open section 2 WPflG on application →
Open section 15a WPflG on the declaration of willingness →
Related tip
Open who must register and attend Musterung →
Military service topic
Open military service →