Defence Minister Boris Pistorius announced that men aged 17 to 45 no longer need official permission to undertake extended trips abroad. The move lifts a little‑noticed clause of the Military Service Modernisation Act, which entered force on 1 January as Germany reinstated conscription in principle. Pistorius said the exemption applies while service remains voluntary.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz has pledged to build Europe’s strongest conventional force, prompting a nationwide questionnaire sent to every 18‑year‑old male this year. While women may answer voluntarily, men must complete the survey and, from July 2027, undergo a medical assessment to determine fitness for possible call‑up. The consent drive feeds the draft pool that the new law hopes to fill.

Pistorius framed the suspension as a precautionary measure, noting that reporting requirements could be re‑activated if a security crisis emerges. By removing bureaucratic hurdles during peacetime, the government hopes to avoid deterring travel while keeping the conscription framework ready. The policy now hinges on voluntary enlistment until enrollment thresholds trigger mandatory service.

Critics argue the exemption could create loopholes for draft‑age men to evade future obligations, while civil‑rights groups praise the removal of unnecessary state oversight. Observers will watch whether the relaxed reporting rule influences enlistment numbers as Germany balances readiness with individual freedoms in the coming months.