Germany has introduced new regulations requiring men aged 17 to 45 to obtain official permission before leaving the country for extended periods.

Effective as of January 1, 2026, this rule applies to individuals planning to stay abroad for more than three months, whether for education, employment, or long-term travel, according to Berliner Zeitung on April 3.

Those affected must secure authorization from a Bundeswehr Career Center before their departure.

This requirement is now a permanent fixture of German law, enacted through the Military Service Modernization Act. The measure was implemented with little public attention.

Previously, such permits were only mandatory during times of heightened external threat or a state of defense, such as a direct attack on federal territory. Under the new reforms, the rule applies during peacetime and normal conditions.

A spokesperson for the German Federal Ministry of Defense confirmed the introduction of the new travel authorization requirement. In a statement to journalists, the spokesperson explained that “The basis and leading idea of this rule is a reliable and credible accounting of those liable for military service in case of need.”

The travel permit system is part of a larger effort by the federal government to expand the strength of the Bundeswehr. Germany aims to increase its troop numbers from the current level of approximately 184,000 to between 255,000 and 270,000 soldiers by 2035.

As part of this initiative, all young men born in 2008 or later must complete a questionnaire regarding their willingness to serve. While the survey is mandatory for men, it remains voluntary for women.

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