German Army Imposes Mandatory Clearance for Men Before Long-Term Stay Abroad

Germany has enacted a new military service law requiring all men aged 17 to 45 to obtain authorization from the German Army before staying abroad for more than three months.

The German Ministry of Defense explained that approval for the stay is granted as long as military service remains voluntary.

This measure comes under the military service modernization law, which came into effect on January 1, 2026, aiming to increase the German Armed Forces from over 180,000 soldiers currently to around 260,000 soldiers.

The law targets young people born in 2008 and later, stipulating mandatory screening to encourage voluntary enlistment, while establishing a framework for organized registration and monitoring of military service.

A spokesperson for the German Ministry of Defense said: “According to the law, males after turning 17 must obtain prior approval from the Army Recruitment Center when planning to stay abroad for more than three months,” adding that this requirement applies up to the age of 45.

The spokesperson noted that the army needs to know who is staying abroad for extended periods to ensure the application of mandatory military service measures when needed, including mandatory screening that began in early January 2026, covering periods without tension or active defense situations.

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