Germany is introducing permits for men to travel abroad for extended periods: what we know
This is reported by the BBC
The main objective is reliable military registration
The Military Service Modernisation Act, which comes into force on 1 January 2026, aims to strengthen Germany’s defence capabilities in response to threats from Russia. As a spokesperson for the German Ministry of Defence confirmed in a comment to the BBC, the main objective of the reform is to ensure an effective system for registering potential reservists.
Who is affected by the changes?
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Age group: men aged 17 to 45.
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Condition: staying outside Germany for more than three months.
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Requirement: obtaining prior approval from the relevant authorities.
How will this work in practice?
The German Ministry of Defence notes that travel permits will generally be granted without hindrance. However, in the event of an emergency, the state must know the exact whereabouts of its citizens. The question of how compliance with this rule will be monitored and what sanctions will apply to offenders remains open, as the requirement went largely unnoticed until its publication in the Frankfurter Rundschau.
Consequences for young people
The ministry acknowledges that for young people, the consequences of such changes could be ‘far-reaching’, as this effectively alters the usual freedom of movement within and outside the EU for long-term study or work.
