In brief
A clause in the new Wehrdienstgesetz required men 18–45 to obtain Bundeswehr permission for trips abroad longer than three months.
Minister Pistorius issued an Allgemeinverfügung on 9 April 2026 suspending the requirement for all men, calling it a temporary fix during peace time.
The Bundestag Scientific Service found the suspension likely illegal, arguing it exceeded ministerial powers and effectively canceled a law without court authority.
A spokesman called the original rule a 'mistake' or 'inaccuracy' and announced a legislative fix via the Reservestärkungsgesetz to restrict the rule to defense cases.
CDU’s Thomas Röwekamp demanded immediate legal clarity and warned of damage to recruitment; the Left Party is considering a lawsuit.
- 1 JanNew Wehrdienstgesetz takes effect, reintroducing travel permit requirement for men aged 18–45.
- 9 AprMinister Pistorius issues Allgemeinverfügung suspending the permit requirement for all men.
- 1 JunMinistry admits error and announces plan to amend law via Reservestärkungsgesetz.
What happened
Since the start of 2026, a clause in Germany’s new military service law has required men aged 18 to 45 to obtain permission from the Bundeswehr before leaving the country for more than three months. The regulation lay dormant until April, when public attention triggered outrage over its potential impact on young men’s freedom of movement.
In response, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius on 9 April 2026 issued a general decree (Allgemeinverfügung) effectively suspending the requirement.
“Mir sind unbürokratische und handhabbare Verfahren wichtig. In der aktuellen Friedenszeit wird es keine Genehmigungsverfahren geben. Wir setzen die Genehmigungspflicht aus, solange der Wehrdienst freiwillig ist.”
Legal doubts
A report by the Bundestag’s Scientific Service, commissioned by the Left Party, now concludes that Pistorius’s decree is likely illegal. While the Wehrpflichtgesetz allows the minister to grant exceptions to the reporting obligation, the report argues that by issuing a blanket suspension for all men, the decree effectively voided a valid law—a power reserved for the Federal Constitutional Court.
“dürfte angenommen werden können, dass die Allgemeinverfügung vom 9. April 2026 rechtswidrig ist”
Ministry backtracks
At a press conference on 1 June 2026, a spokesperson for the defense ministry acknowledged the error. She described the original wording of the law as
“sicherlich ein Fehler beziehungsweise eine Ungenauigkeit”
“dass die Norm so drin steht, wie sie drin steht, ist ein Versehen”
The ministry now plans to amend the law via the upcoming Reservestärkungsgesetz, restricting the travel-permit requirement to times of tension or national defense. In the interim, the spokesperson insisted that no one would face penalties for ignoring the rule.
Political reactions
Thomas Röwekamp (CDU), chairman of the Bundestag defense committee, demanded immediate clarity from Pistorius and warned that the affair endangered voluntary recruitment.
“Der Vorgang ist extrem ärgerlich und schadet dem Anliegen, junge Menschen freiwillig für den Wehrdienst zu gewinnen.”
The Left Party, which had requested the expert opinion, is now considering a lawsuit against the minister’s decree. Meanwhile, men aged 18–45 remain in legal limbo, unsure whether they must seek permission for longer trips abroad.