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News & Current Events Apr 5, 2026 at 2:51 AM

German men aged 17-45 may need military approval for long stays abroad

Posted by Throwawayaccountdell

German men aged 17-45 may need military approval for long stays abroad
www.bbc.com
German men aged 17-45 may need military approval for long stays abroad
Under the law, travel approvals must generally be granted and it remains unclear how the rule would be enforced if breached.
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Puzzleheaded-Sun6987 Apr 5, 2026 +1558
Germany is not even at war
1558
leidend22 Apr 5, 2026 +1177
Obviously they are anticipating something. They had compulsory military service until 2011.
1177
bjjdoug Apr 5, 2026 +637
They're anticipating the complete flaking out of the USA.
637
Gnomio1 Apr 5, 2026 +352
*witnessing. We are all witnessing that.
352
Pixikr Apr 5, 2026 +20
They’re gearing up to send their people to die for Israel.
20
QueasyLegKC Apr 5, 2026 +47
Probably more worried about the war that is at their back door.
47
[deleted] Apr 5, 2026 +5
[removed]
5
SEND_ME_CSGO-SKINS Apr 6, 2026 +2
You are brain broken if you think that’s what’s happening here
2
Puzzleheaded-Sun6987 Apr 5, 2026 +27
They gonna join the mess in ME?
27
leidend22 Apr 5, 2026 +357
More likely thinking about Russia, but general world instability doesn't help.
357
WoolooOfWallStreet Apr 5, 2026 +74
They are probably thinking that if they get attacked and Article 5 is invoked, they are gonna get TACO’d with the excuse of “Well you guys didn’t help when I asked so I’m not gonna help you guys” (despite it not being applicable)
74
leidend22 Apr 5, 2026 +52
As they should. I'm Australian, we rely almost entirely on the USA to protect us and I fully expect they wouldn't. Unless they see our natural resources as invaluable. We're the third largest natural gas exporter after USA and Qatar, for example.
52
bros402 Apr 5, 2026 +11
I'm sorry about some morons in my country electing a rapist pedophile :( Normal people here love Australia
11
Bwxyz Apr 5, 2026 +2
It's just as much their access to our resources as it is restricting the access of other nations (nation really, it's China). While we sell plenty to China right now, the US would like to keep the power to cut that off if needed.
2
[deleted] Apr 5, 2026 +6
[removed]
6
leidend22 Apr 5, 2026 +13
We're a continent nation the same size as the contiguous USA with a population of 28 million. We have no reasonable ability to defend ourselves against superpowers on our own.
13
Any-Suggestion3844 Apr 5, 2026 +2
What a weird response. You clearly under-estimate the military threat that China can pose.
2
Charlie_Mouse Apr 5, 2026 +9
Most of Americas allies (rapidly becoming former) have been painfully aware for quite a while now that Trump wouldn’t lift a finger to help them if they were attacked. Back in 2020 [Trump told the president of the European Commission in 2020 that the US would “never come help” if Europe was attacked](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/jan/10/donald-trump-says-never-help-europe-attack). It’s not so much a case of “the writing being on the wall” as the writing being in giant 20 metre tall flashing red neon letters. Trumps treatment of Ukraine despite the Budapest memorandum confirmed it for those who might have still cherished any doubts. You’re perfectly correct that’s how he’ll try to spin it though.
9
Snakend Apr 5, 2026 +34
China is going to try for Taiwan soon. And they will use Iran, Gaza, Lebanon as the justification for it.
34
Cooliodex Apr 5, 2026 +56
What does that have to do with Germany?
56
Betta_Check_Yosef Apr 5, 2026 +38
Read the global tea leaves. [Great Power conflicts](https://youtu.be/CH1oYhTigyA?si=IuO15gT13TW-ZdVM) are looking to be back on the table. Every country would be wise to plan accordingly.
38
Snakend Apr 5, 2026 -8
Because of NATO.
-8
leidend22 Apr 5, 2026 +68
Taiwan isn't part of NATO or even recognised as a separate country officially by most.
68
ftrlvb Apr 5, 2026 +13
imagine what happens if the top 5 % chips disappear. no more phones (or airplanes, airports, jets, powerplants,... ) for 15 years. Iran will not be in stone age by the orange pedo, but the world absolutely will, if something happens to the chip industry. has nothing to do with NATO.
13
leidend22 Apr 5, 2026 +5
I know Taiwan is important, I was only disputing the idea that it had anything to do with NATO.
5
Snakend Apr 5, 2026 +2
Yeah. Germany wouldn't even go to the rescue for Ukraine.
2
Lucas_2234 Apr 5, 2026 +11
Yes, Because we have a tiny army that literally cannot do much without allied support, with equipment that we are lucky if it works. Why would we send young men to die for a country that's neither in the EU, nor in NATO, when we have absolutely no support for it? If the UK, France etc. joined in, it'd make sense. But right it'd just be sending our young men to die for another country without actually being much help
11
Optimal-Kitchen6308 Apr 5, 2026 +9
I mean...as we've seen you don't actually need justification anymore
9
awkwardpun Apr 5, 2026 +6
Don't forget Venezuela
6
Cheshire_Jester Apr 5, 2026 +19
I would sincerely doubt it. The current conflict in the Middle East was an unannounced war of choice with no clear goals, end state, or even attempt at manufactured consent. There’s no reason for anyone affected to directly support either side with combat elements. From the article: > The Military Service Modernisation Act, which came into force on 1 January, aims to boost defences following threats from Russia in the aftermath of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This is part of their program to maintain the ability to scale their armed forces in times of conflict following the removal of compulsory military service. As a reaction to the realization that they might have to face an adversary on their continent in the near to mid term. Doesn’t appear to be an immediate buildup to an overseas event.
19
LiveChocolate8819 Apr 5, 2026 +14
Never too early to start preparing for the Reapers I guess...oh, *that* ME
14
billytheskidd Apr 5, 2026 +6
The last oil tanker to reach Europe will be around April 14th. We have not really begun to feel the oil shock the war in Iran is going to cause. Countries have released huge reserve stockpiles and the ambiguity of if trump is going to pull out of Iran or the strait will be opened again has kept prices stable, but around the middle of this month, countries will be feeling the pain. This is going to cause a lot of issues all over the globe. It will assuredly cost the US its hegemony.
6
mrjosemeehan Apr 5, 2026 +7
Zero chance
7
Thunderclone_1 Apr 5, 2026 +1
Depends. If their oil situation gets desperate enough with hormuz blocked. their hand may be forced to avoid economic collapse if they have trouble with fuel, which is critical for modern civilian and military logistics, even if they only deploy in a limited sense in a coalition to force open the straits.
1
mrjosemeehan Apr 5, 2026 +12
Nope. They've drawn a hard line on this issue publicly already and have made their intentions crystal clear. They will negotiate with Iran to secure safe passage of their own ships. America's mess is for America to clean up.
12
Xylus1985 Apr 5, 2026 +2
Probably need to get the oil themselves like Trump said
2
Long_Serpent Apr 5, 2026 +2
They wanna be ready to march through Poland and fight the Muscovite hordes. Again. But THIS time - they get to be the good guys!
2
KR4T0S Apr 5, 2026 +154
Its more like being better prepared for Russian aggression in the coming years which is becoming more likely.
154
theuncleiroh Apr 5, 2026 +37
The country that can't even take Ukraine??
37
DisasterNo1740 Apr 5, 2026 +58
This notion that simply because Russia is stuck in a quagmire in Ukraine (while they are NOT in a state of total war by the way, unlike Ukraine) therefore Russia is not a threat and Europe should not be preparing for war is f****** ridiculous and so tiresome it makes me wodner if Kremlin propaganda bots say this shit to keep Europe not prepared.
58
MikuEmpowered Apr 5, 2026 +5
Lmao. The reason the Soviet was so fking scary that led to the creation of NATO was because at the high of cold war. They posses 50,000 MBT, 10,000 A/C and 5 million personnel. With current "storage" and tank loss combined, Russia pre invasion has a estimated ~10,000 tanks, 1,500 combat aircraft and near 1 million in personnel. NATO without US has ~7,000 MBT, ~2,000+ combat aircraft and 2 million in personnel.  This is ALL current numbers for NATO and prewar number for Russia. And the military build up will only leave Russia with bigger disparity.  Is Russia a threat? Yes. But to say it's going to "threaten" entirety of NATO is fking lunatic talking. They need to actually take over Ukraine to have a chance at equal footing. Infact, it's even lower than the threat China poses. Not even the second, because that spot it taken by the possibility of a rogue US.
5
DisasterNo1740 Apr 6, 2026 +7
None of what you said justifies disregarding Russia as a threat. Russia doesn’t win against NATO. That is NOT a reason to not be prepared for war against Russia. I’m so sick of the “heh well we would win” argumentation. What is your point? Is winning with less deaths and less destruction maybe a good thing or is it a bad thing?
7
Damnatus_Terrae Apr 5, 2026 +2
The Russian Federation has never had the ability to militarily threaten European great powers. It would have been suicide for the USSR to attack NATO, and the Russian Federation has a fraction of that strength. Though I do agree that it's probably what Germany is preparing for. Central Europeans and Eastern Europeans just love killing each other. That hasn't ever changed.
2
CinderX5 Apr 5, 2026 +22
Better to be far too over prepared than caught with their trousers down
22
Damnatus_Terrae Apr 5, 2026 +10
I agree, there are absolutely no downsides to dedicating more and more resources to an ever-growing military industrial complex.
10
theuncleiroh Apr 5, 2026 +8
Germany building up an army to deal with Russia has been historically a positive thing. There's so many reasons to trust the country with a growing Nazi movement and an incompetent establishment government, especially as the world is falling into an economic crisis. What could go wrong???
8
Universe_Nut Apr 5, 2026 +3
It's hard to trust everyone to take the safest choice in the prisoners dilemma when there's over 8 billion prisoners on the island playing the game.
3
Informal_Motor1450 Apr 5, 2026 +7
in these peoples eyes russia exists in a superstate between being strong enough to steamroll the entirety of eastern/central europe over a weekend and having their entire army+economy capitulating tomorrow.
7
DisasterNo1740 Apr 5, 2026 +3
The best thing to prevent war is to be prepared for war. Germany is preparing for war.
3
rkorton043 Apr 5, 2026 +2
Germany has been remilitarizing for a few years now. They’re set to have the largest defense budget in Europe at some point in the future
2
casastorta Apr 6, 2026 +2
This is usual c*** when you have compulsory military service. And the current government is preparing for reintroducing it. It is a bit odd to introduce this before the compulsory military service but on the other hand I guess government thought these two changes to the laws will be pushed through together and the compulsory military service part of it got stalled.
2
MustBeKidneyingMe Apr 5, 2026 +4
Its because of Russia, if you care to read the article.
4
idrankforthegov Apr 5, 2026 +3
Well they are doing the right thing and preparing to defend against Russia. Now that the writing is on the wall that the US is an unreliable partner they have to make preparations to defend against Russia here. I am an American that moved to Germany about 12 years ago and I fully support what they are doing as a necessity. The US has put them in a very bad situation.
3
Yanncki64 Apr 5, 2026 +7
You gonna volunteer then?
7
Father_Dowling Apr 5, 2026 +2
They've put themselves in a very unprepared situation. The Bundeswehr is a shell of it's former self and relying on Russian energy was just plain wrong.
2
lord_pizzabird Apr 5, 2026 +10
Yeah, but Trump has sealed their fat with the war in Iran. Europe will now have to go to war in Ukraine, with or without the US' approval. They can't lose another source of natural gas and they can't be dependent on Russia anymore.
10
1tiredman Apr 5, 2026 +5
The world is about to be at war
5
rhetoricalimperative Apr 5, 2026 +15
Not if we say no
15
axSupreme Apr 5, 2026 +11
Like the Ukrainians said no to Russia? Are you willing to be taken over?
11
[deleted] Apr 5, 2026 +2
[removed]
2
Slodin Apr 5, 2026 +1545
Poland: fk. Not again!
1545
CronoDroid Apr 5, 2026 +1324
Polish Border Guard: "Nationality?" "German." "Occupation?" "No, just visiting."
1324
Curly_Shoe Apr 5, 2026 +230
German here. I laughed, will I go to hell?
230
Ogami-kun Apr 5, 2026 +171
No, just to training
171
Jakesummers1 Apr 5, 2026 +42
Just make sure not to follow a man with a weird mustache. Should be okay
42
-Memnarch- Apr 5, 2026 +18
What's your problem with Charlie Chaplin?
18
TheUnreal0815 Apr 6, 2026 +7
Orange skin also seems to be an indicator...
7
lazyboy76 Apr 6, 2026 +2
How about an artist?
2
Mikeavelli Apr 5, 2026 +19
If you have a sense of humor are you sure you're really German?
19
EstablishmentFull797 Apr 5, 2026 +5
Zwei peanuts were walking in the park, and one of zem was, a salted, peanut. 
5
CronoDroid Apr 5, 2026 +18
You just want to avoid going to Heil
18
Curly_Shoe Apr 5, 2026 +10
Well I went to Hel once, nice peninsula, just a bit cold that day. Was very windy. On a meta Level, the World as a whole is a bit depressing nowadays. We finally understood as humanity how that 3rd Reich happened and still, as a whole, we are too dumb to avoid it Happening again. Or maybe it's not exactly dumbness, some people want it to happen and that's awful. Sigh.
10
DummyDumDragon Apr 5, 2026 +2
No, just to Warsaw
2
Sherry_Brandt Apr 5, 2026 +5
did you make this up? if so, bravo.
5
premium_anger Apr 6, 2026 +4
I think that joke might be 80 years old.
4
Fallouttgrrl Apr 5, 2026 +60
Poland's passport agency tomorrow: so we're issuing new guidance on Polish men looking to travel abroad....
60
alppu Apr 5, 2026 +13
Still better than requiring military approval to _not_ go abroad.
13
ComeOnIWantUsername Apr 5, 2026 +3
Fun fact: it's also mandatory in Poland. But both in Germany and here it's not to ask military if you can leave, but to inform them about it. They can't say "no"
3
McBigs Apr 5, 2026 +3
Why would Poland be nervous? They're both NATO members.
3
chytrak Apr 5, 2026 +9
Laughs in Danish
9
TheShadowKick Apr 5, 2026 +7
If NATO goes to war with Russia, Poland is going to be the front line.
7
Ent_Soviet Apr 5, 2026 +724
Just another European country bolstering its military capabilities. If everyone does it then we’ll avoid a world war right? Right. Alright cool, I’m gonna go have brunch with an arch duke ✌️
724
4RealzReddit Apr 5, 2026 +192
Take me out.
192
talldangry Apr 5, 2026 +50
I know I won't be leaving here
50
Jet_the_rebell Apr 6, 2026 +8
With you
8
Alpacapalooza Apr 5, 2026 +12
Sudden Guitar Hero urge.
12
DeisTheAlcano Apr 5, 2026 +15
This fire is out of control
15
vide2 Apr 5, 2026 +69
That is no bolstering at all. There's neither training nor armamentarium. It's just "in case of emergency, we'd better know where our men are."
69
IndiRefEarthLeaveSol Apr 5, 2026 +7
Whatbout the women? 
7
vide2 Apr 5, 2026 +10
What about them? They were not part of the mandatory military service (Wehrpflicht) and therefore are not trained, except the few that go voluntary.
10
IndiRefEarthLeaveSol Apr 5, 2026 +6
I see. 
6
theadvenger Apr 5, 2026 +4
As long as a hungry ostrich doesn't get shot....
4
sofixa11 Apr 5, 2026 +21
>If everyone does it then we’ll avoid a world war right? Yep, si vis pacem, para bellum. The only way to deter an autocrat with expansionist dreams (like a Putin) is via brute force, because it's the only thing they understand.
21
EJaumeD Apr 5, 2026 +7
Just because a quote is in latin doesn't make it true; WW1 started because all European countries had been arming heavily and saw a war as inevitable.
7
sofixa11 Apr 5, 2026 +20
>WW1 started because all European countries had been arming heavily and saw a war as inevitable. No, they were arming heavily *because* they saw war as inevitable. Practically every one of the initial belligerents actively wanted war.
20
BushWishperer Apr 5, 2026 +6
Which is exactly what's happening now, with European countries rearming heavily because they see war as inevitable.
6
ooheia Apr 5, 2026 +7
That's an insanely reductionist view of WW1, there are a variety of factors that are involved in the lead up to the war. The arms race provided tension but it isn't even in the main reasons compared to something like the assassination of the Archduke. It's funny that we're talking about this because the very next world war involved a violent genocidal dictator who was constantly appeased thinking that if we just let them get away with murder SURELY they won't come after us and we won't need to invest in using military force against them. Remember how that turned out?
7
TheShadowKick Apr 5, 2026 +2
Turns out, if a strong enough country wants to start a bunch of wars it's really hard to stop them without military force.
2
KahMahRahhhh Apr 5, 2026 +6
Don’t forget about the art school hopeful
6
KanedaSyndrome Apr 6, 2026 +2
We will be at war with america in 12 years, they want us to be independent now, but not enough that we become a competitor, when that happens we go from "allies" to enemies.
2
Mindless-Peak-1687 Apr 5, 2026 +3
If you want peace, prepare for war.
3
Diacetyl-Morphin Apr 5, 2026 +444
It's **not** correct, as i read in the german media: Right now, without any state of war or anything else, all travels etc. are approved by default. The other things, like that you had to tell the state that you moved away to a different country, that was always the same and has nothing to do with the military. Germany still has **not (!)** activated mandatory conscription aka mandatory service time again. All they'll do is to send some paperwork to the young men, that they have to fill out, that's it. I doubt it, that even the physical tests will be done in 2027. Not like in my country nearby, Switzerland, where we have conscription still going on. Although, today, with the reduced number of needed troops, the army only takes the motivated guys and sends the rest back home. That goes for a lot of countries that in theory have mandatory military service, but you can either deny it or you can do other things instead (like civil services - in Germany it was called "Zivildienst", in Switzerland it's a little bit more different with the "Zivilschutz" that has some other tasks)
444
RoyalJellyKing Apr 5, 2026 +58
I confirm, here is the [link](https://www-zeit-de.translate.goog/gesellschaft/zeitgeschehen/2026-04/bundeswehr-meldepflicht-maenner-auslandsaufenthalte?_x_tr_sl=de&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp) to german media.
58
Dominicus1165 Apr 5, 2026 +19
And this is the law https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/wehrpflg/__3.html
19
dragon_irl Apr 5, 2026 +98
Ah yes the law restricting freedom of movement, that's just not enforced right now. Surely you se how this is extremely vulnerable to abuse by current or future governments selectively enforcing this?
98
AccomplishedTaste366 Apr 5, 2026 +74
People are weirdly intense about playing this down, I find it quite alarming.
74
butternutflies Apr 5, 2026 +12
Same… wtf people are so naive in here
12
fzkiz Apr 5, 2026 +40
It’s because the law was already active for decades before mandatory military service was abolished in 2011 and never restricted anyone’s movement.
40
DaveShadow Apr 5, 2026 +13
Its always funny when you can see certain groups learn of something for the first time, and presume since they didn't know about it, no one else does and it must be brand new. They discover things are run differently outside of their bubble and start writing conspiracy theories about it immediately.
13
parallel_mike Apr 7, 2026 +2
This is partly wrong. Yes, the law exists for decades but it was active only during times of tension (like war or escalation). Now the recent change removes that line so the restriction of movement is active at all times for men aged 17-45.
2
IMDubzs Apr 5, 2026 +5
Because they can read. The law states that they only can deny the request if a person has military service in that time frame (or war of course). Currently there ist no mandatory military service and even if there is, only the people affected could be denied. I am more infuriated about the bureaucracy.
5
AccomplishedTaste366 Apr 5, 2026 +7
Ah ok, so the military rejecting permissions can only be based on that. What about if you've already done military service, are you free from the obligation to ask permission? Or do they insist on reviewing your status for every long journey you make? Because as someone who sometimes travels for long times, that Indeed feels like more pointless paperwork, for something they could just mark on a passport or id card.
7
Diacetyl-Morphin Apr 5, 2026 +10
That's right, but it does not only go for this one. Many things can or could be abused once another party takes power. Like the infamous chat control of the EU, but depending on the country, sometimes there were other things around (like in Germany, the "Vorratsdatenspeicherung" aka recording of IP's etc. without a proper reason, that got refused by the supreme court BVerfG several times, but the politicians don't stop and try to push it through again) It is what many people forget, that such things can be used or better said, abused later by others. In history, it wasn't intended with this, but i think it was the Netherlands that made a census of the population and they registered the religion of the people. After NS-Germany invaded the country and got the list, it was quite easy for the Nazis to track down the jews. That's how dangerous such data can be, when it falls in the wrong hands.
10
Conscious_Glove6032 Apr 5, 2026 +16
>It's not correct, as i read in the german media: Right now, without any state of war or anything else, all travels etc. are approved by default. Not true. The German Ministry of Defence is working on a decret to make it so, but right now there is none. 
16
Alpacapalooza Apr 5, 2026 +6
Your statement is also not entirely correct. Their responses over the weekend have stated that they will be working on an order to *clarify* it (it being law from before the pause of conscription in 2011), but they don't deem it to be applicable right now. >Die Genehmigung ist für den Zeitraum zu erteilen, in dem die männliche Person für eine Einberufung zum Wehrdienst nicht heransteht. from [§3 WPflG](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/wehrpflg/__3.html) As the permission is required to be given is based on being available for mandatory conscription (Einberufung), and there is no mandatory conscription, it's implied that the permission is given. I assume they'll issue a broader clarification once the holiday weekend is over.
6
yet41 Apr 5, 2026 +8
The article looks correct to me. It says: “Under the current law, travel approvals must generally be granted and it remains unclear how the rule would be enforced if breached.”
8
bluehelmet Apr 5, 2026 +5
It is correct, just read paragraph 3 (and paragraph 2, which is the one that was actually changed and tells you that paragraph 3 now applies at all times) of Wehrpflichtgesetz. Absence over three months have to be approved, even if that approval usually is to be granted.
5
GFYSR Apr 5, 2026 +4
Why are you spreading misinformation?
4
MonkeyNewss Apr 5, 2026 +4
It’s a trait among Germans, any time their government is criticised by anyone but a fellow German they have to run to its defence
4
djingo_dango Apr 5, 2026 +3
*European. They really don’t like criticism
3
Dismal_Buy3580 Apr 6, 2026 +2
The older I've gotten the more I've realized how unbelievably sensitive some Germans can be when it comes to how their government is perceived. 
2
LurchiOderwatt Apr 5, 2026 +55
I will never fight other nations, they are my random teammates in online games!
55
Canshroomglasses Apr 5, 2026 +8
Yeah but those are also the guys telling they fucked your mom and call you a homo
8
LurchiOderwatt Apr 5, 2026 +5
Real men just play 1v1 Quake 3 instead of war
5
Falonefal Apr 6, 2026 +2
Everything is fun and games until you get rocket pre-fire spawncamped on The Camping Grounds
2
Fang7-62 Apr 5, 2026 +10
That's the spirit. We have more common with each other as random people in the world than we have with our leaders and their oligarch owners. Were all bros, no more brother wars
10
Public-Radio6221 Apr 5, 2026 +80
Wow, voting for the conservative party which promised "security" leads to collaberation with palantir and attacks on freedom? Who coulda seen that coming?
80
Throwawayaccountdell Apr 5, 2026 +31
When will people learn that voting conservative regardless of which country you're from is just bad policy.
31
Corodix Apr 5, 2026 +171
Talk about a sexist and discriminatory law. Someone remind me what century we're living in again?
171
Throwawayaccountdell Apr 5, 2026 +52
I know right. I hope some law group over there can potentially challenge this law whether in German courts or European courts since it is gender discrimination. I know Germany has a Sexist draft in their constitution but it's worth it to challenge it to see if there can be changes to this discriminatory law. The good thing is that in the U.S a judge in 2019 declared the all male draft unconstitutional in the law. Hopefully with the current lawsuits the supreme court will do something about the all male draft.
52
SomeBiPerson Apr 5, 2026 +9
the draft has existed since the 1960s it's been challenged a couple of times and always was rulec to be legal by several generations of judges
9
Throwawayaccountdell Apr 5, 2026 +10
The male only draft has been declared unconstitutional in 2019 by a federal judge. You can read more about in in this NBC news article: [https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/federal-judge-finds-male-only-military-draft-unconstitutional-n975546](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/federal-judge-finds-male-only-military-draft-unconstitutional-n975546) There are a couple of lawsuits currently against the male only draft and you can read about it in this article: [https://www.courthousenews.com/men-renew-challenge-to-male-only-draft-rule-before-ninth-circuit/](https://www.courthousenews.com/men-renew-challenge-to-male-only-draft-rule-before-ninth-circuit/)
10
SomeBiPerson Apr 5, 2026 +26
US laws do not apply to other nations the German equivalent of the Supreme court has worked on this case a couple of times, thr last time in 2002 and they always found that it doesn't violate the constitution because it is part of the German constitution (Article 12a)
26
Throwawayaccountdell Apr 5, 2026 +5
I know U.S laws don't apply to other nations i was just talking about the U.S version of the draft as a reference. I know it's in the German constitution but i wanted to know whether a European court can override the German constitution since the European union has laws against gender discrimination.
5
Iglooman45 Apr 5, 2026 +67
Gender is a construct until the war drums start beating, then everyone figures it out 😂
67
Throwawayaccountdell Apr 5, 2026 +11
Fortunately more countries are making their draft/Mandatory service policies equally like Norway, Denmark, and Sweden.
11
BlazingFire007 Apr 5, 2026 +14
Is that fortunate? Maybe we should achieve equality by ending mandatory conscription + the draft for everyone, not being more inclusive
14
Throwawayaccountdell Apr 5, 2026 +6
While the ideal situation would be to abolish mandatory service/draft laws in some countries they view it as a necessity. This is why if it is not going to be abolished it should be applied equally. It is better to have it applied equally where everyone shares the same responsibilities then to have a discriminatory/sexist draft law in place.
6
Dr0110111001101111 Apr 5, 2026 +2
Mandatory service and a wartime draft are very different things. I actually don’t hate the idea of mandatory service. I’m not saying I think it should be a universal policy, but I do think it does some good. We have a lot of arm chair war hawks in the United States, and I think a lot of them wouldn’t be so supportive of unnecessary military action if they had ever spent some actual time in the service.
2
Iglooman45 Apr 5, 2026 +13
Sure, but the women who are drafted likely aren’t going to be on the front lines. They’ll be drafted for administrative and other essential, but not combat roles. War is still very much and likely always will be the male domain.
13
Legitimate_Smile_470 Apr 5, 2026 +5
I'm fine with conscription if we are also conscripting each and everyone including the rich, the women, but also people with disabilities who can do administrative work, and even Hans's pet Chihuahua.
5
jakobsheim Apr 5, 2026 +3
It’s part of the constitution, written by men. To change the constitution you‘d need a 2/3 vote and with cdu and afd that part will never be changed. Men decided women shouldn’t be forced to do military service because they have other roles in society like caring for children. And it’s what the majority still believes almost a 100 years later.
3
MirPrime Apr 5, 2026 +45
I dont know why leaders think conscription will work for wars no one wants. Id rather due jail time than fight a war
45
NorkGhostShip Apr 5, 2026 +9
Germany doesn't want wars either. They just happen to be near a country that has proven time and time again that it does. Conscription is not pleasant but it works. If South Korea didn't have hundreds of thousands of conscripts, North Korea likely would've invaded decades ago, and had a good chance of winning. Even if you get millions of volunteers the moment the war starts, there may not be enough time to train them to be able to fight. Conscription creates a large pool of men who have at least the basic skillset to be effective on the battlefield.
9
Tanriyung Apr 5, 2026 +15
When it comes to war, you won't get the choice of jail or war. The actual choice is: - Voluntarily go to war - Kidnapped, beatings then go to war - Death
15
MirPrime Apr 5, 2026 +9
I want u to Google "fragging vietnam"
9
TheShadowKick Apr 5, 2026 +7
The people who did that were at the war.
7
Tanriyung Apr 5, 2026 +8
That's the third option.
8
dealwithshit Apr 5, 2026 +2
True that’s how it works in both Russia and ukraine
2
GrumpyFinn Apr 5, 2026 +11
The problem is that Russia wants war and has imperialism intentions. We have two options: do nothing and let them kill us, or fight back.
11
TabTwo0711 Apr 5, 2026 +5
„May“ is wrong, it is a fact
5
Phaentom379 Apr 5, 2026 +7
I serve crack before i serve this Country
7
ConcernAccording3248 Apr 5, 2026 +85
There has been an increase in Germany making world news for its military recently. I'm not saying its a problem, but I'm also comfortably making that claim as a man who doesn't live in Poland.
85
bagofpork Apr 5, 2026 +104
I think Poland is probably more concerned with Russia than Germany (yeah, I know you're referring to WWII - just saying).
104
idrankforthegov Apr 5, 2026 +16
Americans don‘t know what is going on or what happened in europe besides WW2 movies. They don’t understand that Europe is probably the most stable and democratic place because of decades of diplomacy and cooperation.
16
bagofpork Apr 5, 2026 +2
I mean, I'm an American, so that doesn't *entirely* check out. That said, obviously some (many) of us do have trouble understanding these things.
2
HokusSchmokus Apr 5, 2026 +58
If German tanks ever touch Polish ground again, it would be to help them fight off an attack.
58
KDR_11k Apr 5, 2026 +30
Poland is MASSIVELY gearing up its military for war nowadays. Huge investments in new factories for tanks, artillery, etc. The assumption seems to be that a Russian invasion will arrive within the next few years.
30
thisvideoiswrong Apr 5, 2026 +7
Putin's position, and the reason he invaded Ukraine, is to claim that Moscow has a right to rule over all the territory of the USSR or Russian Empire. That's the natural order of things, and those states being independent and making their own decisions is somewhere between morally wrong and not possible because they're naturally inferior to the great powers. So if he succeeds in Ukraine he will start planning his next target. And of course China's position on Taiwan isn't that much different, so Ukraine has always been about deterring them as well.
7
Marsupialwolf Apr 5, 2026 +14
As an American who's worried about the rise of fascism, I think Germany is still the safer bet for escaping that shit right about now...
14
darth_butcher Apr 5, 2026 +19
Germany isn’t immune either. The Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) is a strong far-right party right now and its voters are growing and growing. The key difference is that it’s monitored by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution and other parties refuse to work with it, which keeps it out of power. But I wouldn’t rule out the possibility that another party might eventually be open to forming a coalition with the AfD if that’s the only way to come to power. After all, our politicians are ultimately motivated by personal interests and eager to advance their own careers. By the way, the AfD was directly supported by Elon Musk (live talk with its leader on X, appeared virtually at an campaign event, wrote 'only the AfD can save Germany') and indirectly supported by Trump and Vance.
19
idrankforthegov Apr 5, 2026 +6
You don‘t live in germany either because the only way german tanks would be in Poland again would be to help defend them against Russia
6
DanFlashes19 Apr 5, 2026 +4
Are you all joking? Germany is almost certainly trying to beef up their military so they can rely less on the US for defense purposes. Other European countries will likely follow. Germany would defend Poland if anything, not attack it.
4
ConcernAccording3248 Apr 5, 2026 +2
Yes. I feel like that should be obvious
2
comicbookconman Apr 5, 2026 +8
When a country thinks they own you
8
KeiwaM Apr 5, 2026 +10
>The defence ministry spokesman said that the regulation was intended to "ensure a reliable and meaningful military registration system", adding: "In the event of an emergency, we must know who may be staying abroad for an extended period." Then you wouldn't tell them to ask for APPROVAL. That's not how it f****** works. Jesus christ, we have spent the last 20 years criticising China for their spying on citizens and North Korea for their strict no-leaving policy, yet we're barrelling down the road towards the same systems. What happens if the government just starts denying longer stays abroad? It's not about knowing, it's about control. >The defence ministry official said that a similar provision was "in effect during the Cold War and had no practical relevance". Does the Iron Curtain ring a bell? Also, why only the men? It's 2026. This shit should be equal for anyone then.
10
Therianthropie Apr 5, 2026 +2
Changing this law to include women requires a 2/3 majority in the parliament. Means the government would need to get the green party on board, which could be possible, but also either the left party or the AfD (far right), who are very unlikely to do so.
2
styrolee Apr 6, 2026 +2
This reads like someone who hasn’t actually read the law. The law requires that approval is automatically granted to all individuals who are not required to perform military service. Since conscription has not been active in Germany since 2011, that’s basically the entire population minus volunteers. All the law really requires is that all men subject to conscription should it be activated maintain active contact information and inform the foreign ministry if they’re going to be abroad for a long period of time. It is a step towards reactivating conscription, but Germany is still somewhat far from that. It also should be noted that similar laws exist in basically every country in Europe with conscription, like Austria and the Baltic countries (and there it is enforced).
2
dancingbananas25 Apr 5, 2026 +3
Probably preparing for Russia to escalate shit
3
ArugulaAcrobatic4018 Apr 5, 2026 +13
Feminism gets canceled during wartime
13
BeepRobotic Apr 5, 2026 +8
I wouldn‘t even help Merz out to get back up from the ground. Even less going to war for that disgusting t***
8
zapdoszaperson Apr 5, 2026 +7
This is a lot of Europe, especially after Russia went full invasion of Ukraine. Nobody expects the USA to be any real help if Ukraine falls and the war spreads.
7
rotorylampshade Apr 5, 2026 +10
Why is this any different in terms of objective or outcome to the US Selective Service Scheme?
10
DigitalArbitrage Apr 5, 2026 +20
The U.S. does prevent people from moving to other countries. This is saying that if you are a German man of a certain age then you need permission from their government to move abroad.
20
Throwawayaccountdell Apr 5, 2026 +4
I agree that is what i am asking. In 2019 the all male draft was declared and there are currently many lawsuits against the current all male draft in the U.S. I know Germany has a sexist draft in their constitution but can't the general law in Germany that prohibits discrimination or a European law override the German constitution and declare their male only draft as unconstitutional.
4
No-Argument-691 Apr 5, 2026 +2
May need? Why can't the BBC ever title an article properly, they DO need permission for more than 3 months.
2
Mo_Jack Apr 6, 2026 +2
This is important because some people might try to flee to another country illegally to avoid military service. This is what happened with Trump's grandfather. He illegally migrated to the US twice. The Trump's should not be citizens.
2
Any_Juggernaut_9799 Apr 7, 2026 +2
nah this aint it. lets not herd men like cattle pls.
2
Enemyprovider Apr 5, 2026 +4
Why only men though?where is the equality on that? 
4
MindRaptor Apr 5, 2026 +4
This seems sexist. Women also serve in the military 🪖
4
[deleted] Apr 5, 2026 +10
[removed]
10
ExpertMisinformant Apr 5, 2026 +6
You mean migrants who aren't yet citizens?
6
Reddit-runner Apr 5, 2026 +6
Uff. Good thing I'm already out.
6
Pale-Candidate8860 Apr 5, 2026 +5
Hell no. This is why you need to try your best to have multiple citizenships.
5
kombiwombi Apr 5, 2026 +14
That's not how it works. You incur the service obligations of both nations.
14
Zanjo Apr 5, 2026 +6
Typically (at least for Germany) you only have service obligations if you live in the country you are a citizen of
6
GFYSR Apr 5, 2026 +5
Theres a whole process to credit foreign military service to german service. But in any case - the permission requirement stays the same.
5
AccomplishedTaste366 Apr 5, 2026 +3
Only if you're there for those countries to enforce those obligations. I'm not sure many countries revoke citizenships or internationally pursue people for avoiding their service laws. I've only heard of the Feldjäger and their equivalents looking for people, when they're back in the country. So, you can keep the passports, but avoid the obligations by living somewhere else, it's not really that hard to do.
3
kombiwombi Apr 5, 2026 +2
Generally if people don't meet service obligations they will be arrested at immigration into the country. That's certainly the case in South Korea. Sure people can stay away. But citizenship usually means some link to the country, so people can end up missing parent's funerals or other important events.
2
No-Theme-4347 Apr 6, 2026 +2
If people actually read the law they would understand that the approval is automatic and the law is from 1956....
2
Throwawayaccountdell Apr 5, 2026 -4
I have said this before in other comments but is there any civil rights groups in Germany that can or are getting ready to challenge this? I know Germany has a sexist and discriminatory mandatory service in it's constitution but surely some civil rights groups can stand up whether in German courts or European courts these discriminatory laws based on gender.
-4
bedrooms-ds Apr 5, 2026 +10
In one way or another. The US way, where anything political can practically only be challenged through courts, doesn't apply elsewhere.
10
theb3arjevv Apr 5, 2026 +1
I don't think its even remotely a human rights violation to require military service when you live in a continent that lights itself on fire 2-3 times a century.
1
Banjoschmanjo Apr 5, 2026 +19
What other forms of slavery do you support?
19
Throwawayaccountdell Apr 5, 2026 +8
I mean it discriminates which could potentially violate European law since it only applies to men and not women that you have to check in to leave the country and not women.
8
geostocktravelfitguy Apr 5, 2026 +2
What about the women? The EU is Captain Equality and Equity.
2
freehuntx Apr 5, 2026 -2
Nobody i know would die for this country that treats you like shit. And i know compared to other countrys it may look like heaven. But its not... If germany decides to join war im out.
-2
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