Germany Suspends Military Travel Approval Rule

Germany's Defence Minister Boris Pistorius announced on April 7 that men aged 17 to 45 no longer need prior approval from military authorities for extended stays abroad, clarifying a provision in the country's new military service law that had sparked widespread concern. The rule, part of the Military Service Modernisation Act effective since January 1, 2026, initially required such permissions for trips lasting more than three months, even during peacetime. Pistorius emphasized that the requirement is suspended as long as military service remains voluntary, stating, "Everyone is, of course, free to travel and currently does not need permission to do so." He added that a formal regulation exempting the provision would be issued by the end of the week to eliminate bureaucratic hurdles.

The legislation aims to bolster Germany's armed forces, the Bundeswehr, amid heightened security threats following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Officials said the changes are designed to create a more robust personnel system, enabling quicker mobilization if needed. Under the act, all 18-year-old men must now complete a mandatory questionnaire assessing their interest in...