Germany will start with voluntary conscription, but will revert to compulsory conscription if it fails to attract enough recruits for the armed forces.

Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has announced that Germany will use a voluntary conscription model to increase its armed forces, with the aim of doubling its reserve forces in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. If voluntary conscription is not enough, Berlin will consider a return to compulsory conscription, including the option in a draft law to be presented to parliament. Chancellor Friedrich Merz also emphasized his desire to make the German army the strongest in Europe.