Germany plans peacetime compulsory reserve service to bolster military readiness
Germany's defense ministry has proposed legislation to compel reservists to serve even in peacetime, expanding current rules that only allow mandatory duty during a state of tension or defense. The draft law, published on the ministry's website, aims to ensure reliable availability of reserves for national security. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has set a target of 260,000 active troops and a fully equipped reserve of 200,000 soldiers.
Germany's defense ministry has published a draft law on its website that would allow reservists to be compelled to serve even in peacetime, expanding current rules that only permit mandatory duty during a state of tension or defense.
The draft law, titled "Gesetz zur Stärkung der Reserve" (Law to Strengthen the Reserve), states that "the reliable availability of the reserve is of high relevance for national security and societal resilience." Under existing legislation, reservists could only be compelled to serve for exercises outside a state of tension or defense. The new law would allow the ministry to mandate reservists for duties within its area of responsibility or to fulfill the constitutional mission of the armed forces.
The proposal introduces graduated service obligations. Reservists who served at least six months of voluntary military service could be called up until the month of their 45th birthday. Those who served at least one year as a professional or temporary soldier could be called up until the month of their 65th birthday.
Duration limits are also tiered. Reservists with less than one year of service could be compelled to serve a maximum of three weeks per year and six months total. Reservists with at least 13 years of service could be compelled to serve a maximum of 12 weeks per year and 12 months total.
Domestic disaster relief and foreign deployments remain voluntary except under certain conditions in EU and NATO states. The draft law estimates additional costs of around 43 million euros per year from 2027 to 2029.
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius in April set a target of 260,000 active troops and a reserve of 200,000 soldiers. The current active force is around 183,000, with around 100,000 reservists. Pistorius said at the time: "We are rethinking the reserve. In future, the reserve will not exclusively and temporarily support the active troops when necessary. No, we explicitly see the new reserve on an equal footing with the active troops."