The German Ministry of Defense announces a 24% increase in enlistment requests for the armed forces compared to 2025.

The German Ministry of Defense reported a significant increase in applications for enrollment in the armed forces, with approximately 38,500 applications received this year, representing a 24% increase compared to the same period in 2025.

Enrollments have increased by 13%, reaching approximately 11,000 soldiers. This trend has been influenced by the entry into force of a new military service law on January 1, aimed at strengthening Germany's armed forces in the context of security threats posed by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Germany also aims to increase the number of active soldiers to 260,000, from 180,000, and to build a reserve of 200,000 soldiers. Young people close to the age of 18 have received questionnaires to assess their interest in military service, and men are required to participate under the law.

The Ministry has also sent approximately 298,000 questionnaires, and over 20% of male respondents expressed interest in enrollment. Although mandatory military service was suspended in 2011, the new program remains voluntary, with incentives to attract recruits.