Germany enforces penalties for men avoiding military service abroad

German men between the ages of 17 and 45 are now required to obtain prior permission for stays abroad exceeding three months, according to a legal amendment that took effect on January 1, 2026. This measure, which previously applied only during states of tension or defense, is now permanent, even in peacetime. The Defense Ministry states that the rule is necessary to maintain a reliable registry of individuals eligible for military service, facilitating potential mobilization in case of emergency.

Penalties for non-compliance may begin in April, when the first three-month period since the law's implementation expires. This regulation is part of Germany's broader effort to strengthen its armed forces, with plans to increase active soldiers from around 180,000 to over 260,000 by 2035. The German government has set 2029 as the deadline for the military to be "war-ready" for a potential conflict with Russia.

The context for this measure includes a massive military buildup in Germany, with plans to spend reportedly more than €500 billion on defense by 2029. Moscow has repeatedly denied any plans to attack NATO as "nonsense," and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated in February that Russia has "no reason" to attack the EU or NATO unless attacked first.

Several EU states, including Germany, have recently moved to reintroduce conscription. In late March, students staged protests in German cities against Chancellor Friedrich Merz's plans to expand military service, accusing the government of preparing forced mobilization. The Defense Ministry emphasizes that the new foreign stay permit requirement is part of an effort to modernize military service and maintain effective oversight of potential recruits in case of need.