Update: Germany's Defence Minister has since announced that military-aged German men do not need to inform the authorities about plans to travel abroad at this time.
At the start of 2026, Germany enacted significant changes to its military service law. Alongside the headline‑grabbing return of compulsory health assessments for young men, a much older rule resurfaced: men of a certain age now need to contact military authorities before leaving the country for extended periods.
The provision attracted wider public attention only recently, after a report by the Frankfurter Rundschau suddenly sparked huge interest on social media.
While the rule applies only to men, its implications aren’t limited to those born and raised in Germany.
With dual-citizenship now permitted and more and more foreign residents naturalising as German, many foreign residents will be asking whether this change could affect them too.
Who needs to contact the military before leaving Germany?
According to the revised Military Service Act, all men aged 17 to 45 must obtain approval from the relevant German army (Bundeswehr) Career Centre before leaving Germany for more than three months.
This requirement applies regardless of the reason for travel – whether it’s to study, work abroad, or for long‑term travel.
Unlike under previous versions of the law, the obligation now applies in normal circumstances, not only in states of tension or emergency.
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The Federal Ministry of Defence has explained that the purpose is to maintain a "reliable and meaningful military registration system in case of need".
Can the military refuse permission to travel?
In theory, the law requires individuals to seek permission to travel rather than simply notify the military of plans to do so. In practice, however, the ministry has stressed that approval must generally be granted.
Officials from the Bundeswehr and the Ministry of Defence have said that, as long as military service remains voluntary, permission will be “deemed granted” in virtually all cases, according to the administrative regulations currently being drafted.
They have also stated that approval must always be given if no specific military service is expected during the planned absence.
But legal experts cited by ARD warned that a genuine power to refuse permission would severely interfere with fundamental rights in Germany.
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How does the rule affect dual and new citizens?
When the wider package of military‑service reforms was introduced, officials made it clear that newly naturalised Germans would be treated as native-born citizens for the purposes of military law, even while compulsory service remains suspended.
On that basis, it’s reasonable to assume that foreign males, between 17 and 45, who gain a German passport would also fall under the requirement to seek approval before leaving Germany for more than three months.
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There has been no suggestion of exemptions or alternative rules for dual nationals.
The Local has contacted the Defence Ministry for further clarification.
How is the process expected to work?
At present, the practical process remains unclear. The Ministry of Defence has acknowledged that the consequences of the regulation are "far‑reaching" and that detailed administrative rules are still being prepared to avoid unnecessary bureaucracy.
Officials have not said how many approvals have been requested so far, how compliance would be monitored or what would happen if someone failed to apply before travelling.
When asked about sanctions, ministry representatives pointed out that the same rule existed during the Cold War but had “no practical relevance” and was not enforced.
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