Media: Germans are increasingly refusing to perform military service
Germany is seeing an increase in the number of applications for exemption from military service on grounds of personal conviction. This comes amid public debate over rearmament and a possible return to conscription.
This is reported by the media outlets Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung (NOZ) and Welt.
Specifically, the editorial staff of NOZ contacted the Federal Office for Family Affairs and Civil Society and received a response containing statistics.
According to the response, 2,656 people submitted applications in the first quarter of this year alone, which is more than in all of 2024—when there were 2,249 applications (although Welt reports that 2,998 people submitted applications in 2024).
By comparison, in 2025, 3,879 applications for exemption from military service were submitted, while in 2023, only 1,079 people opted out of service.
Media outlets report that if the trend continues, the number of those who refuse could exceed 10,000 by the end of 2026. This would be the highest figure since conscription was abolished in 2011.
NOZ reports that the main reason for this development is the tense security situation and the ongoing debate over reinstating conscription in Germany.
In addition, initiatives such as the “School Strike Against Conscription” are likely to fuel this trend.
At the same time, there are also a number of people who have withdrawn their previously stated conscientious objection to military service. According to the report, this occurred 781 times in 2025 and 233 times in the first quarter of 2026.
It should be noted that Germany is proposing to raise the age limit for reservists to 70.
Germany will also financethe purchase of hundreds of Patriot missiles for Ukraine.
Meanwhile, German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced a transition to a strategic partnership with Ukraine and the resumption of intergovernmental consultations, which had not been held for over 20 years.
