Debates about a possible return to compulsory military service are influencing: more and more young people in Germany are applying for conscientious objection.
The number of conscientious objectors in Germany is significantly increasing. In the first quarter of 2026, 2,656 people have already submitted relevant applications. This is reported by the Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung, citing information from the Federal Office for Family Affairs and Civil Society Functions (BAFzA).
This means that in just three months, a significant portion of the total number of applications from the previous year has already been reached. In 2025, 3,867 applications were registered, compared to just under 3,000 in 2024.
If this trend continues, the number of refusals this year may exceed any previous year since the suspension of compulsory military service in 2011.
New Military Service Rules Raise Questions
The main reason for the increase is considered to be the current security situation, particularly the reform of compulsory military service that came into effect at the beginning of the year. Among other things, it provides for mandatory service for young people born in 2008 and later.
The goal of the German government is to attract more volunteers to the Bundeswehr (the armed forces of Germany). If unsuccessful, the Bundestag (German parliament) may activate the so-called compulsory military service.
While politicians discuss the expansion of the armed forces, many young people respond with skepticism. The prospect of serving in the armed forces increases the number of applications for conscientious objection - a sign of growing uncertainty in the context of a tense international situation.
The discussion of a possible requirement for able-bodied men to obtain permission for long trips abroad has also likely not contributed to increasing recruitment in the Bundeswehr.
Security Situation Remains Tense
Interestingly, the number of conscientious objectors is not the only figure on the rise. People who have already declared their refusal to serve on conscientious grounds are also reconsidering their decision. This occurred in 781 cases in 2025 and 233 times in the first quarter of 2026.
The security situation is considered tense. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius recently indicated how serious the German government considers the situation: "The world has become more unpredictable and, yes, it must be said, more dangerous."
The German government pursues ambitious goals for expanding the armed forces. In his recently presented military strategy, Pistorius aims to have at least 260,000 active soldiers in the Bundeswehr. Together with reservists, this number should reach at least 460,000 men and women, making the German army one of the largest in Europe.
The new president of the reservists' association, Bastian Ernst, recently called for raising the age limit for reservists to 70 years to strengthen Germany's defense capabilities. Currently, the maximum age for Bundeswehr reservists is 65 years.
Many young people are evidently responding to these changes with growing skepticism - and consciously deciding not to serve in the armed forces, as evidenced by the increasing number of conscientious objectors.
Whether the rise in the number of conscientious objectors will have a long-term impact on the organization of military service will likely depend on how many volunteers can be attracted to the Bundeswehr.
