New long-term travel restrictions introduced for German military personnel
An amendment to Germany’s Military Service Modernization Act has quietly come into effect, requiring millions of military personnel to obtain permission from the German Armed Forces for extended trips abroad.
According to the new regulation, starting January, all men aged between 17 and 45 who intend to leave Germany for more than three months—regardless of their trip's purpose, whether work, vacation, or long-term travel—must secure approval from the Bundeswehr. This effectively restricts free travel for unregistered military personnel.
The requirement was introduced as part of the Military Service Modernization Act, whose consequences the Ministry acknowledged as "significant." At the same time, the German government plans to increase the Bundeswehr’s personnel from 184,000 to between 255,000 and 270,000 by 2035.
Young men born after 2008 may be conscripted or enlisted as part of this broader effort to strengthen the country's defense capabilities.
This new regulation impacts the freedom of movement for military members and marks a shift towards a more robust Bundeswehr in the context of Germany’s evolving defense policy. The future development will depend on how effectively these measures are implemented and the public’s response.
