A Scandal is Brewing in Germany Over the 'Exit Ban' on Young Men

The fact that German men may be required to coordinate their departure from the country contradicts democracy, said Sahra Wagenknecht. The Greens demanded additional clarifications. The Left Party also criticized the innovation.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius is expected to resign following a scandal surrounding a new military service rule that requires notification for trips abroad. This was stated on Sunday, April 5, by German opposition politician Sahra Wagenknecht, the founder of the "Alliance of Sahra Wagenknecht" (SSW).

"The fact that men need to obtain permission from the Bundeswehr for staying abroad is reminiscent of the GDR era and the Berlin Wall. This has nothing to do with democracy or a free democratic order," Wagenknecht told AFP. In her opinion, Pistorius "should resign in light of this outrageous legal situation."

Opposition parties are dissatisfied with the new rule. Sara Nanni, a representative of the Green Party, demanded "prompt clarifications" from the Ministry of Defense. "Citizens have the right to know as soon as possible whether they have any obligations to report, and if so, what those are," she told Die Welt. The Greens are also in opposition to the current government of Germany.

The new law has also been criticized by the opposition Left Party. Bundestag member from the Left, Desiree Becker, called the new law "simply poorly drafted."

Rüdiger Lucassen, the defense policy spokesman for the opposition party Alternative for Germany, urged the authorities to "develop a pragmatic solution that does not create excessive administrative burdens and unnecessary requirements for young people."

Bundestag member from the ruling conservative CDU/CSU bloc Thomas Erndl proposed a compromise: as long as military service remains voluntary, there should be no formal procedure for approving trips abroad. Instead, a "notification obligation" could be introduced, he said.

German Ministry of Defense: Approval for Departure is Currently Irrelevant

On April 3, German media drew attention to amendments to the conscription law that have come into effect. They state that German male citizens aged 17-45 will need to request permission from the Bundeswehr starting January 1, 2026, if they intend to be absent from the country for more than three months. Some critics on social media labeled the new measure as an "exit ban."

On April 4, the German Ministry of Defense clarified that men do not need to coordinate their departure from Germany for an extended period with the Bundeswehr. The ministry explained that this provision is currently not relevant: military service in the country remains voluntary, meaning that permission will be granted automatically.