German students strike nationwide against return of compulsory military service

September 25, 2026 at 08:36 PM2 min

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Students across Germany walked out of school on Friday to protest the possible reintroduction of compulsory military service. Organizers said over 100 demonstrations were planned in cities including Kiel, Hamburg, Berlin and Frankfurt. The protests come as the Defence Ministry confirmed that since July around 1,000 18-year-old men who expressed no interest in the army have undergone mandatory medical exams.

Key Facts

Over 100 demonstrations were planned across Germany, including in Kiel, Hamburg, Berlin and Frankfurt.
Since July, around 1,000 18-year-old men who showed no interest in the army have undergone mandatory medical exams.
All 18-year-old men in Germany are required to complete a questionnaire and undergo a medical exam to assess fitness for possible military service.
The Bundeswehr currently has around 186,700 troops, with a target of 260,000 by the early 2030s plus 200,000 reservists.

The Protests

School strikes took place across Germany on Friday against the possible reintroduction of compulsory military service. At a protest in Hamburg, demonstrators waved flags and held banners reading "We won't take part in your wars." 16-year-old Elias Bernhard from Hamburg said responses to the questionnaires show young people do not want to join the Bundeswehr. Organizers said the trigger came after some 18-year-olds in Kiel and Flensburg received official invitations for medical exams despite expressing no interest in the army.

Government Policy

Under German law, all 18-year-old men are sent a questionnaire asking about their interest in joining the armed forces. The questionnaire is mandatory for men and voluntary for women, and all 18-year-old men must take a medical exam to assess fitness for possible military service. A Defence Ministry spokesperson said the obligation to undergo a medical examination applies to all men liable for military service born after 31 December 2007, including those who stated no interest in compulsory service. The spokesperson confirmed that since July around 1,000 18-year-old men who showed no interest in the army have had the medical exam.

Military Expansion

Germany's former Chancellor Angela Merkel ended compulsory military service in 2011. Current Chancellor Friedrich Merz has vowed to transform the Bundeswehr into Europe's strongest conventional army amid perceived threats from Russia and pressure from the US. The Bundeswehr currently has around 186,700 troops, and Germany wants to raise that to 260,000 by the early 2030s, supplemented by around 200,000 reservists.