German uproar over military serviceJAN. 1 CLAUSE: As military service is voluntary, applications for permission to stay abroad for over three months for men up to age 45 must, in principle, be grantedThe GuardianA little-noticed clause in sweeping changes to Germany’s military service policy has triggered an uproar after it emerged that the law requires men aged up to 45 to get permission from the armed forces before any significant stay abroad, even in peacetime. The clause could potentially affect millions of German citizens embarking on anything from a gap year or study abroad to a new job or sabbatical. It touched off agitated media coverage in a country where the changes to the military service policy have already led to street protests by school pupils subject to the law’s new requirements. A ministry spokesperson said the new legislation was designed to establish a framework for conscription if required, making it necessary to know potential conscripts’ whereabouts in case of urgent need. Compulsory military service was suspended in 2011 under the then-German chancellor Angela Merkel.

Source: Taipei Times April 06, 2026 17:46 UTC