Germany’s new Wehrdienst campaign draws strong early response as 300,000 questionnaires go out
Germany’s new Wehrdienst: nearly 300,000 questionnaires sent by June 18, 2026; 96% of young men replied, applications up 24% but 2026 placements limited
Five months after the rollout of Germany’s new Wehrdienst questionnaire campaign, the Federal Ministry of Defence reports a robust early response, with nearly 300,000 letters dispatched by June 18, 2026. The ministry says roughly half of those letters were addressed to young men, who returned the form at a 96 percent rate and who were asked about their willingness to perform military service. Officials frame the mailing as a central step in implementing the new law that came into force on January 1, 2026.
Ministry reports nearly 300,000 questionnaires sent
The ministry’s update covers activity from the start of the distribution through June 18, 2026, when the tally reached almost 300,000 mailings. Roughly half of the questionnaires were directed at young men, while the remainder were sent to women and non-binary people on a voluntary basis. The campaign is intended to gauge interest levels and to identify potential recruits for the revived service models.
High male response and declared interest
Among the young men who received the mandatory form, the return rate stood at 96 percent, the ministry said, signalling a high engagement level with the process. Of those respondents, more than one in five indicated an interest in serving in the Bundeswehr. By contrast, women and non-binary people—who are not obliged to reply—recorded a response rate of about four percent, reflecting voluntary participation among those groups.
Selection procedures and planned placements for 2026
Following declarations of interest, the ministry has initiated selection steps: about 1,500 medical examinations and selection procedures have been conducted to assess suitability. Despite this throughput, only roughly 530 prospective recruits have been formally scheduled for service in 2026 so far. Officials say the discrepancy between declared interest and confirmed placements reflects capacity limits in training and intake planning for the current calendar year.
Non-response by a minority of men prompts review
Approximately four percent of men reportedly did not return the questionnaire, and the ministry is considering administrative penalty proceedings for those cases. The government notes that the questionnaire obligation for young men stems from the constitutional framework that permits a male-only obligation for military service. Ministry spokespeople say any enforcement steps will follow established administrative procedures.
Recruitment surge and broader force expansion plans
The ministry also reported a broader uplift in recruiting indicators since the new law took effect on January 1, 2026: roughly 38,500 applications have been recorded year to date, a 24 percent increase compared with the same period last year, and about 11,000 hirings represent a 13 percent rise. Those figures come as Germany prepares a large enlargement of its armed forces, aiming to grow the active force to about 260,000 personnel and to establish a reserve of roughly 200,000. The package includes pay increases and new service models intended to make military service more attractive.
Context: law, NATO targets and security rationale
The government and a parliamentary majority designed the new Wehrdienst framework in response to perceived shifts in the security environment and changed NATO requirements since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The law, enacted at the start of 2026, reintroduces structured measures to widen the recruiting base and to expand readiness. Defence officials say the changes are meant to accelerate force generation while offering incentives aimed at longer-term retention.
Early results indicate both public engagement and logistical bottlenecks, with high declared interest but limited immediate capacity for intake. Ministry briefings suggest the coming months will focus on scaling selection and training processes to convert a greater share of applicants into active and reserve personnel through the remainder of 2026.
