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Germany Introduces New Travel Restrictions for Men Aged 17–45 Amid Military Reforms
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Germany has introduced new regulations requiring men aged 17 to 45 to obtain official permission before leaving the country for extended periods.
Effective as of January 1, 2026, this rule applies to individuals planning to stay abroad for more than three months, whether for education, employment, or long-term travel, according to Berliner Zeitung on April 3.
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Those affected must secure authorization from a Bundeswehr Career Center before their departure.
This requirement is now a permanent fixture of German law, enacted through the Military Service Modernization Act. The measure was implemented with little public attention.
Previously, such permits were only mandatory during times of heightened external threat or a state of defense, such as a direct attack on federal territory. Under the new reforms, the rule applies during peacetime and normal conditions.
A spokesperson for the German Federal Ministry of Defense confirmed the introduction of the new travel authorization requirement. In a statement to journalists, the spokesperson explained that "The basis and leading idea of this rule is a reliable and credible accounting of those liable for military service in case of need."
The travel permit system is part of a larger effort by the federal government to expand the strength of the Bundeswehr. Germany aims to increase its troop numbers from the current level of approximately 184,000 to between 255,000 and 270,000 soldiers by 2035.
As part of this initiative, all young men born in 2008 or later must complete a questionnaire regarding their willingness to serve. While the survey is mandatory for men, it remains voluntary for women.
Erkki Koort, the director of the Internal Security Institute at the Estonian Academy of Security Sciences, argued that Germany was a more logical and accessible target for Russia within NATO than the Baltic states.
He suggested that because Germany served as the logistical and strategic heart of Europe, anyone aiming to weaken the alliance had to strike its center first. The expert highlighted several factors that made the country vulnerable, including its role as a strategic hub and the presence of a large Russian-speaking population.
Ultimately, Koort concluded that neutralizing Germany would have yielded significant propaganda value for the Kremlin while effectively paralyzing NATO's eastern flank.
