In August 2025, the German federal government introduced legislation aimed at modernizing the country’s conscription system. The bill proposes a phased reintroduction of mandatory military service which had been suspended in 2011—and it includes provisions that could affect Germans living abroad. This article outlines the key points of the proposal and its potential implications for German citizens residing in Canada.

New Rules and their Objectives

 The primary objective is to strengthen Germany’s defense readiness by gaining a clearer picture of available manpower and making voluntary military service more appealing. Incentives include improved service conditions, financial bonuses, and career development support.

According to the draft dated July 30, 2025, the law aims to:

• Assess the personnel capacity of conscription-age citizens,
• Attract more volunteers and reservists and
• Enable compulsory service even in peacetime, subject to Bundestag approval.

Initially, the focus remains on voluntary participation, with an option to later mandate service if necessary.

Compared to the system in place until 2011, this new model is less rigid and consists of two stages:

Starting in 2026, the first step implements an obligation for all males 18 years or older to complete a questionnaire assessing their physical suitability to serve and train in the military. With the questionnaire, affected persons are required to declare if they would volunteer for training and service. Submission of the questionnaire is voluntary for individuals of other genders. The second step of the model would be triggered if the number of volunteers does not meet the anticipated need in the case of a security crisis or conflict. If the criteria are met, a mandatory draft can be implemented following legislative steps.

Implications for Germans in Canada

While the proposed law technically applies to all German citizens regardless of their place of residence, its enforcement abroad—including Canada—presents legal and logistical challenges

Germans living in Canada would be subject to the law. However, practical enforcement would be difficult. Many Germans may not have addresses registered with the German authorities, making it difficult to issue official communications. The current plan involves sending letter mail to the affected males, providing them with a QR code to complete the questionnaire. However, no fully digital alternative process without prior letter mail is planned. The legislation explicitly states no new reporting requirement for Germans will be implemented regarding their addresses. Citizens not reached by mail are under no obligation to proactively contact German authorities. Additionally, there is no bilateral agreement between Germany and Canada to enforce conscription laws—nor is one expected in the near future.

Comparable to the previous laws, the proposed legislation suspends any obligation if:

• The individual has established a permanent residence abroad,
• They intend to remain abroad permanently and the relocation did not occur while being obligated under the law, and
• The individual did not merely change their registered address without actually moving.

German citizens permanently residing in Canada would generally meet these criteria and, accordingly, have their obligations suspended.

Outlook

If the legislation comes into effect as intended in 2026, men at least 18 years of age will be required to complete the questionnaire mailed to them. An obligation to undergo mandatory evaluation following the questionnaire will come into effect July 1, 2027. Implementation and enforcement of the law in Canada seems highly unlikely under the law as proposed at the moment. Significant legal and practical hurdles remain without a solution. For most German citizens permanently residing in Canada, conscription would remain suspended—as long as legal requirements are met. Still, many aspects of the law’s implementation and its implications