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News & Current Events Apr 6, 2026 at 8:09 AM

Uproar in Germany over law requiring men get military approval for long stays abroad

Posted by Master-Rent5050

Uproar in Germany over law requiring men get military approval for long stays abroad
the Guardian
Uproar in Germany over law requiring men get military approval for long stays abroad
Ministry clarifies clause affecting those up to age 45 that is part of legislation that came into effect in January
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fattytuna96 Apr 6, 2026 +1443
How are they going to know if you’re leaving for more than three months? Are they going to ask for your return ticket at the airport? Isn’t passport control automated for EU citizens so how will this be implemented? Doesn’t this infringe on EU freedom of movement (a German should be able to live and be in any country in the EU)?
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Norkmani Apr 6, 2026 +1150
The government is only legally obligated to grant the permit if you are not currently "scheduled for induction”. (Einberufung). The moment the government activates a draft or schedules someone for service, they no longer meet that criteria. At that point, the government can and will deny the exit permit unless you can prove "extreme hardship”. Germany has set a target of reaching 260,000 active soldiers by 2035. If the Ministry of Defense reports later this year or in early 2027 that volunteer numbers are missing the mark, the law allows the Bundestag to pivot to a "L****** Draft." Starting in 2027 (in 270 days), Germany plans to begin mandatory medical examinations (Musterung) for males born in 2008 and later. If you’re deemed fit for service, I’d assume you climb up the ladder for the “draft”. The moment you are "selected" by the l******, you are considered "scheduled for induction," and your right to travel for more than 3 months can be denied instantly.
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[deleted] Apr 6, 2026 -178
[deleted]
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[deleted] Apr 6, 2026 +354
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justin251 Apr 6, 2026 +45
They might be. Trump is talking shit about everyone but Putin and Kim Jong.
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RandomStrategy Apr 6, 2026 +1752
They know what's comin' and while silly that it came from a video game, it's the best god damn description of War, ever: >War is when the young and stupid are tricked by the old and bitter into killing each other.
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RelativeCourage8695 Apr 6, 2026 +822
War is always fought on the shoulders of the young and poor, it is never the wealthy and the powerful that pay the price. If a politician tells you that you are fighting for freedom or democracy, they actually tell you that you are fighting to protect their wealth and their power
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The_panic_the_vomit_ Apr 6, 2026 +373
As a great poet once said, “why don’t presidents fight the war, why’d they always send the poor?”
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Wonderful-Pause1048 Apr 6, 2026 +73
Das waren noch Zeiten, als auch Napoleon in die Schlacht zog …
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RinsedCorn Apr 6, 2026 +38
If the day does not require an AK, it is good
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TheRealSaerileth Apr 6, 2026 -46
So Ukraine should just surrender? You think the young and poor are better off under the Russians? It's never this simple. The rich and powerful may have started the war, and your politicians might refuse to get their own hands dirty. But if you're attacked by a foreign tyrant, then your freedom and democracy actually *are* on the line.
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RelativeCourage8695 Apr 6, 2026 +81
Are you risking your life in the trenches for Ukraine? If so, I honor your decision and you have my fullest respect! If not I think you are talking shit about getting your hands dirty from some safe place without ever facing this decision yourself.
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CyroSwitchBlade Apr 6, 2026 +27
What game??
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Howllat Apr 6, 2026 +83
Op should've included this. Its GTA 4 niko belic
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Emergency-Factor2521 Apr 6, 2026 +44
I left my country because of this similar situation “egypt” now germany is becoming similar every day. The entire world is fucked up
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Zealousideal_Age7850 Apr 6, 2026 +31
Feels more like conscription with threats of certain torture and death if you don't come, to possible torture and death in battlefield. I don't believe most men in our generation eats that patriotic or nationalistic propagandas
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MentirosoProfesional Apr 6, 2026 +37
Also the government will offer much better wages in the army vs any other job in times of war Some enlist out of monetary necessity, whenever or not they agree with the war or not
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ranjop Apr 6, 2026 -37
That’s what Russia is calculating. The Europe will collapse as a card house since the people are cowards and not willing to bear responsibility over nations survival. Without Ukraine, Russians would be in Lisbon already. Well, at least on France’s borders. Germany doesn’t have military to speak off.
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Special-Remove-3294 Apr 6, 2026 -27
Who cares about a nation bruv??? What has this nation done for me ever? All it does is continue to thieve hand in hand with the bourgeoisie elite. Countless die from poverty and a dysfunctional health system while the elite and political class thieve and party. Corpos and bourgeoisie break laws unopposed and get away with anything they want.....politicans thieve hundreds of thousands of euros and never face consequences but live like kings. I can't say the last time when I would not consider my nation to be rulled by corrupt traitorous thieves. Why would I lift a finger for it? I would not do it and I would not care if it was invaded. I ain't helping the lapdogs of the Epstein class of America(cause on top of being corrupt our rulers are also lapdogs for Russia or America😒) fight. They can go fight themselves if they want or they can go f*** themselves.
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ranjop Apr 6, 2026 +19
Yeah, that’s what Russia wants you to believe. If you want a concrete learning experience, please move to e.g. Congo for a year to experience how a “dysfunctional society” really looks like. Let’s see do you still agree with your views.
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calf Apr 6, 2026 -6
Why can't men just love one another
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ilove_butter89 Apr 6, 2026 +28
Let's gay the pray away
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probably-not-Ben Apr 6, 2026 -32
More accuarate: War is when the poor and powerless are tricked by the super rich and powerful into securing the status quo
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warp_driver Apr 6, 2026 +58
Aka the same thing said less eloquently.
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Spiritual_Scheme8158 Apr 6, 2026 +168
Even South Korea is not that uptight about this c***, and we are technically at war. I never had to get military approval for long stays abroad. Still did my service when the time was right for me.
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NovaHorizon Apr 6, 2026 +506
No chance in hell the Bundesverfassungsgericht (our supreme court) won't strike that down if someone sues.
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butternutflies Apr 6, 2026 +625
> Bundesverfassungsgericht This is why I never persevered with German after school, I mean what the f***
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spastikatenpraedikat Apr 6, 2026 +634
Gericht = court Verfassung = constitution Bund(es) = federal Bundesverfassungsgericht = federal constitutional court. Literally the same as in English, just without the spaces.
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marshalist Apr 6, 2026 +141
Does saying each word separately change the meaning?
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soymilo_ Apr 6, 2026 +329
You'd sound like you'd be stuttering
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logosmd666 Apr 6, 2026 +63
No stutters allowed in the army- boom- problem solved!  Probably…
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[deleted] Apr 6, 2026 -22
[removed]
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FlatSpinMan Apr 6, 2026 +48
Japanese uses no spaces between words at all. People do things differently.
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FiBiE007 Apr 6, 2026 +27
You have a wrong impression. It's easier to read, not harder. Languages like English can be clustersome when you have long, word-separated nouns as you don't immediately see what words the noun in comprised of. Grammatically, you only conjugate the whole word once on German and its syntactical position gives off its meaning on the first glance. It's easier.
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pleaxcl Apr 6, 2026 +32
Because it’s one thing. One word for it makes total sense.
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ShanzokeyeLin Apr 6, 2026 +20
I’m no language expert by any means and neither do i claim to know any German but my im intuition says removing the spaces signifies it becoming a noun maybe. So instead of having a random string of words, you have a very specific one word. Still annoying to read for someone who doesn’t know german lol
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OK_LK Apr 6, 2026 +10
I speak basic German and I was able to read the word without slowing down I think, once you know the language, you recognise the different words and how to pronounce the compilation words without thinking about it So, yes it's slower for non speakers, but not for the native/fluent speakers
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farkas37 Apr 6, 2026 +29
Well, it's really just the words Federal Constitutional Court without spaces between them, like most long german words.
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Barangat Apr 6, 2026 +62
Its pretty easy, just chain the words you need together. Handschuh = Hand (hand) + Schuh (shoe) gives you a glove. Straßenverkehrsordnung = Staßen (Street) + Verkehr (traffic) + Ordnung (Order, in this context law) gives you general traffic laws.
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R3zon Apr 6, 2026 +26
Yes, exactly, pretty easy.
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FeastForCows Apr 6, 2026 +4
Now do Backpfeife.
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bigphatnips Apr 6, 2026 +15
Does the lack of spaces change the context? Hand Schuh no longer means glove, does it then mean "hand shoe"?
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Tintenklex Apr 6, 2026 +23
Hm, there really isn’t a grammatically correct sentence where two nouns can just follow each other like that.  I think they only can in English if they belong to the same concept, right? Like federal justice court.  That would prove once again it’s very much the same concept, you just avoid confusion as to where the noun ends. 
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bigphatnips Apr 6, 2026 +28
Dunno, we also use hyphens when two nouns are in the same idea to avoid confusion: small-business grant Vs small business grant and small business Grant, the chap who runs the small business on the corner.
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Distinguishedflyer Apr 6, 2026 +1
Hugo war sein name. 
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Any-Photo9699 Apr 6, 2026 -10
Okaythankyoufortheexplanation.InowhaveamucheasiertimeunderstandingGerman.Trulyitisnotconfusingatall.
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Master-Rent5050 Apr 6, 2026 +59
"The regulation already applied during the cold war"
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aitorbk Apr 6, 2026 +1695
I would call that servitude, as you have to ask your lord permission to leave the land. Certainly doesn't look like free citizens. And I do know that this was technically a thing in western Germany before, that doesn't mean it was right.
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DangerousTurmeric Apr 6, 2026 +40
I mean you have to do this if you're unemployed in Germany too, male or female. It's fairly standard.
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ArcticAkita Apr 6, 2026 +410
Only if you receive some form of unemployment benefits which makes sense as you are basically treated like an employee. And just like any other employee you need to request time off and receive approval first before being able to travel. You also have to hand in sick notes
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HokusSchmokus Apr 6, 2026 +153
Not at all comparable lmoa what a comparison.
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Gone_For_Lunch Apr 6, 2026 +86
Just because it’s fairly standard doesn’t mean it isn’t restrictive.
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GorumGamer Apr 6, 2026 -6
That is insane
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RoboFeanor Apr 6, 2026 +112
You don't 'have' to do this. It is simply a condition to get unemployment benefits, so you aren't collecting money meant for people who are trying find work, while you are abroad studying, or on vacatation.
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seelachsfilet Apr 6, 2026 +50
Exactly. It's for people who apply for and receive "unemployment money" so they can survive while on job hunt. But you have to be able to accept new job, go to interviews and all that. So It makes a lot of sense that you can't go on world tour and still collect the unemployment money. Many people abuse the system
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superurgentcatbox Apr 6, 2026 +36
How so? Makes sense to me. If you’re unemployed, you’re supposed to look for a job and the government is supposed to help you find one. If you’re not in the country, it makes no sense for the government to line up anything for you.
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Zaptryx Apr 6, 2026 -112
Its not really asking your lord... its just notifying the proper authority that you will be gone for longer than 3 months. They cant say no to you, it is just more German beaurocracy. Most people here in that age range aren't even leaving the country for 3 months, either due to time or money. So its really a non issue.
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WhatWouldKantDo Apr 6, 2026 +23
Then why does the law require permission not notification?
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TrashbatLondon Apr 6, 2026 +50
>They cant say no to you, it is just more German beaurocracy. They can’t say no to you **yes**. A country who makes citizens explain their whereabouts to the military is much closer to being a country where the military can deny you permission to leave. >Most people here in that age range aren't even leaving the country for 3 months, either due to time or money. So its really a non issue. This is a ludicrous comment.
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TheSpiritKnight Apr 6, 2026 +70
It's about the principle of it. My country should have no say in how much or for how long I want to leave my country for.
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RelativeCourage8695 Apr 6, 2026 +77
This is how a servant would explain why servitude is not that bad after all
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Zaptryx Apr 6, 2026 -35
Im a citizen of 2 countries and i wouldnt fight a war for either of them. F*** off with your doomerism mate
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FrogOnABus Apr 6, 2026 +16
>I wouldn’t fight a war for either of them. All of the upsides and none of the down. Until a little form comes through your door telling you to fill it in and report for duty!
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InfinityTuna Apr 6, 2026 -51
Or, hear me out, communicating to your boss/an authority that you'll be gone for 3 months or more, so they can manage their roster of who is available to call in, is basic logistics and decency. I don't think Americans have any room to talk about being serfs serving liege lords, with everything they have going on at home.
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Opposite_Train9689 Apr 6, 2026 +41
Managing a roster is a different thing then managing your population in a game called "how many young men can I forcibly send to a war to die" I have a contract with my boss. It's his right to cancel my plans (within limits) because the work cant continue without me or whatever reason. I have no such dealings with my government, nor do i have any say, stake or wish for war. Telling me i cant leave the country purely for the sake of dying for some rich c*** is thus a completely different thing. But i'm glad you'll take my place since you see it as an equal situation and love bureaucracy so much.
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spoodergobrrr Apr 6, 2026 +2
Pls Jeff Bezos rip me off more. I think its fair i earn 7$ on my job because its good to be rich and god hates the poor. If you wanna make it just take 5 jobs and never sleep. Before i graduate i have to make some banker rich with a 12% anually credit. If i stub my toe it cost me 50k to visit doctor, if my kid gets born with diabetes i will die in the ghetto. Still i think beeing rich is a value. - average american stereotype
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MrCockingFinally Apr 6, 2026 +16
Why does the proper authority need to know though?
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Zaptryx Apr 6, 2026 -3
So if a draft happens they know you are out of the country and dont waste time trying to draft you? Its not that complicated.
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roankr Apr 6, 2026 +4
Could avoid the draft altogether.
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Zaptryx Apr 6, 2026 -1
Im hoping that is already the goal everyday
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Insignificant_Ad Apr 6, 2026 +4
Lived in 3 countries, never I had to ask permission, neither notify anyone. And I'm national in 2 of those countries.
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Aperturee Apr 6, 2026 +15
That's not what it says.
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JayPag Apr 6, 2026 +4
It is in fact exactly what it says when you read the German news articles about this law.
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Norkmani Apr 6, 2026 +26
The government is only legally obligated to grant the permit if you are not currently "scheduled for induction”. The moment the government activates a draft or schedules someone for service, they no longer meet that criteria. At that point, the government can and will deny the exit permit unless you can prove "extreme hardship”. Clearly a set up for what’s to come. Germany has set a target of reaching 260,000 active soldiers by 2035. If the Ministry of Defense reports later this year or in early 2027 that volunteer numbers are missing the mark, the law allows the Bundestag to pivot to a "L****** Draft." The moment you are "selected" by the l******, you are considered "scheduled for induction," and your right to travel for more than 3 months can be denied instantly. They’re also set to begin mandatory medical examinations (Musterung) starting in 8 months, if found “fit for service”, you are fully in the trap.
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MentirosoProfesional Apr 6, 2026 -8
Yeah I'm not trusting German news over this, just like I don't trust US news when informing about Donald trump or whatever the US is doing. They ain't gonna tell you the real motives
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Zaptryx Apr 6, 2026 +2
Directly from the article brother “We will clarify through administrative regulations that authorisation is deemed to have been granted as long as military service is voluntary,” they said, adding: “As military service under current law is based exclusively on voluntary participation, such authorisations must, in principle, be granted.”
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Wonderful-Pause1048 Apr 6, 2026 +6
„grundsätzlich“ … ist dehnbar und kann schon seit jeher mit Nebenklauseln ergänzt werden
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Madcap_Miguel Apr 6, 2026 -44
DW ran a poll a few months ago and more than half of the German youth wouldn't defend their country if attacked. This is why. So yeah, kick the Americans out and defend yourself.
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[deleted] Apr 6, 2026 +30
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CuckBuster33 Apr 6, 2026 -8
"pointless" Whats the point in not getting r*ped and thrown into a mass grave by the russians?
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[deleted] Apr 6, 2026 +1
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CuckBuster33 Apr 6, 2026 +5
You'd look really badass saying that while the russians are raping and murdering civilians right outside of your bombed out house. It's not pointless to want to preserve your nation, dignity and living standards
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[deleted] Apr 6, 2026 +3
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CuckBuster33 Apr 6, 2026 +5
War criminals won't check your bank account to decide if you're poor enough to avoid getting raped. If anything the rich are the ones who will pack up and f*** off while the poor will be the ones getting raped and murdered. I don't know why it's so hard for you to understand that getting invaded is a problem that affects everyone in society including you
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[deleted] Apr 6, 2026 +1
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CuckBuster33 Apr 6, 2026 +2
You realize this is Germany we're talking about?
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CuckBuster33 Apr 6, 2026 +3
[https://www.axios.com/2022/04/26/mariupol-third-mass-grave-detected-satellite-image](https://www.axios.com/2022/04/26/mariupol-third-mass-grave-detected-satellite-image) Wow look! Mass graves! I bet they're only filled with billionaires!
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Astornautti Apr 6, 2026 +2
So when the Russians invaded Ukraine they should have just given up and allowed the Russians to commit genocide in peace just because "war is pointless"? What are you going to do once your country is the one under attack?
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ShudoAudra Apr 6, 2026 +1
I don't see Putin and his ilk on the front lines. But I do see Russian soldiers killing civilians, kidnapping children, executing pow's
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Madcap_Miguel Apr 6, 2026 -4
If you think defending yourself is pointless you must have a US airbase within 20 miles of your house.
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[deleted] Apr 6, 2026 +6
[removed]
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LostHero50 Apr 6, 2026 +191
In the past couple of years western countries have been stripping away people’s rights and personal freedoms at an alarming rate and the fact that people are supporting it is worrying.
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Dibs84 Apr 6, 2026 +227
Ah yes, gender equality once again at its finest
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willtwerkf0rfood Apr 6, 2026 +64
What if a man who is under 45 was born and raised in the US but has both American and German citizenship? Would they be included in this as well? Edit: not sure why I was downvoted for asking a question, but egg on my face for trying to educate myself, huh
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sijmen4life Apr 6, 2026 +21
Depends on where that man is living and who calls him up for service. Generally it's first come first serve but if both natiins call upon him at the same time it depends on where he lives. If that man is living in Germany than yes, he falls under German law. If that man is living in the USA then no, he falls under USA law. If he lives anywhere else he can choose where to serve his military service. Though it might or might not affect his citizenship in ways i'm not knowledgeable enough about.
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beormalte Apr 6, 2026 +14
Only if you live in Germany. You just really want to avoid registering place of residence in Germany
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robustofilth Apr 6, 2026 +65
Yeah I think I’d be saying f*** off to that.
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[deleted] Apr 6, 2026 +68
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ovaltine_jenkins-- Apr 6, 2026 +73
Do the migrants have to register for this too?
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Salty_McSaltyson Apr 6, 2026 +48
Kind of misleading. Living in Germany, it's for those who are registered in basically, the selective service. Makes sense, they want to be able to know in case war breaks out, you're reachable and not just pull a Trump tradition and evade service. Its not conscription, it's basically saying "Hey, you're registered but war is close so you can't leave just in case". Sounds messed up, but it's not as bad as it seems. They aren't denying people for going on trips.
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Norkmani Apr 6, 2026 +126
Sure, if you ignore the following: Germany has set a target of reaching 260,000 active soldiers by 2035. If the Ministry of Defense reports later this year or in early 2027 that volunteer numbers are missing the mark, the law allows the Bundestag to pivot to a "L****** Draft." Starting in 2027 (in 270 days), Germany plans to begin mandatory medical examinations (Musterung) for males born in 2008 and later. If you’re deemed fit for service, I’d assume you climb up the ladder for the “draft”. The moment you are "selected" by the l******, you are considered "scheduled for induction," and your right to travel for more than 3 months can be denied instantly.
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[deleted] Apr 6, 2026 +14
[deleted]
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Catsoverall Apr 6, 2026 +33
Far more likely this is longer term prep for russia
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toyyya Apr 6, 2026 +34
Why do you think conscription would be used for that? The threat for Germany is Russia not any middle eastern war and it's all about making sure they are ready in case Russia does something really stupid.
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HokusSchmokus Apr 6, 2026 +5
Because it is Germany and we are traditionally sucking Israels d*** no matter the atrocities they commit. It's silly but I understand the feeling.
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ExoticBamboo Apr 6, 2026 +3
In the last 80 years how many conflict in which the german military participated were for the true benefit of Germany? And how many for the benefit of the US?
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takesthebiscuit Apr 6, 2026 +17
Germany isn’t worried about fighting in the Middle East 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️ USA is talking about pulling out of nato that significantly increases the threat from Russia
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modern_environment Apr 6, 2026 +21
It has completely nothing to do with the war in Iran. There is a war just two countries over from Germany, in Ukraine. This is about the situation in Europe.
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Salty_McSaltyson Apr 6, 2026 +16
Agreed with that, however Germany has been beefing up their conscription efforts since the Ukraine/Russia conflict, so this isn't tied to the US/IS/IR war.
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systonia_ Apr 6, 2026 +5
This has nothing to do with Israel, Iran etc. It's about getting defense back to a minimum functional level. If this army is used, then it is to defend against Russian aggression.
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[deleted] Apr 6, 2026 +1
[deleted]
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systonia_ Apr 6, 2026 +3
You can train people on a few tanks now. Building a proper defense industry takes years. Until then, you can train people in the basics and on what you have. You are full of rage, but you have no clue how this world works.
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Wonderful-Pause1048 Apr 6, 2026 +2
*Niemand will in einen Krieg, der von USA und Israel angezettelt wurde. Schon gar nicht wehrfähige Männer der EU. Zu Recht!
2
Unhappy-Bullfrog5597 Apr 6, 2026 +20
Are the feminists rioting? I hope
20
polarf0x Apr 6, 2026 +45
As a Finn I find your lack of defence moral disturbing. We have had that in law since dawn of time. Because it would be nice to know where to reach defender if some outside force decides to undo your rights..
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Chri_cat90 Apr 6, 2026 +149
The draft was never popular in Western Europe even back when the USSR was still a thing, places like the Nordics and Israel where the draft is accepted are not the norm.
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MastusAR Apr 6, 2026 +171
As a Finn I find describing this as a "lack of defence moral" more disturbing.
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arkstrider88 Apr 6, 2026 +83
Government needs to protect citizens if it wants the citizens to protect the government. When was the last time German government was worth protecting? Nobody is fighting a war for shameless spineless snakes.
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ricewaffle Apr 6, 2026 +75
The main problem is, that it only affects men.
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toyyya Apr 6, 2026 +66
Yeah as a Swede it's insane to me how a lot of people don't understand what is needed when you have a big power that's very unpredictable and wants to expand its borders in your region. Russia would never actually win a war against NATO but they might still do something very stupid and everyone needs to be ready for that.
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Zaxora Apr 6, 2026 +152
They are angry because of the hypocrisy. They get pushed down constantly by their government, pay insane taxes, told it's all about equality (never in their advantage though), can't buy a house and so on and so forth. But then when anything serious happens, suddenly gendernorms are taboo and "you surely want to protect your country right? :3". What for? Younger gens keep getting the short end of the stick, to the point they don't want to defend it anymore. They've been used enough. Suddenly it's 'their' country again when it's time to die, but during peacetime they're just milking cows.
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RelativeCourage8695 Apr 6, 2026 +62
Hey, you want to give your life for your country? Go ahead, no one will be stopping you. But if this is really a free country, choice over life and death should not be made by some government official.
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OneSillyGooseG Apr 6, 2026 +14
Where are you going to flee then?
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RelativeCourage8695 Apr 6, 2026 -12
Plenty of choices. It's not like this hasn't been done before.
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chaosdimension98 Apr 6, 2026 +16
I understand your point but this is not the complete picture. If nobody is defending the country during invasion, there won't even be a country that you can call "free country" let alone grant you freedom.
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RelativeCourage8695 Apr 6, 2026 +57
If nobody is defending the country then that country might not be worth defending.
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chaosdimension98 Apr 6, 2026 +19
Fair enough. But just for argument sake, which country are you gonna flee to? Is that country worth defending? Cause if Germany is not worth defending, there's really not many other country worth defending. Certainly not US, maybe France? UK? Canada? Feel free to skip the question if you don't feel like answering.
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Altamistral Apr 6, 2026 -8
Nations ought to defend themselves in order to be free. You don't deserve any freedoms unless you are ready to defend them.
-8
RelativeCourage8695 Apr 6, 2026 +27
Fair, you go and defend that freedom you are talking about while I prefer to live a free life (deciding for myself when I fight and when not).
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toyyya Apr 6, 2026 -12
If Russia were to take over you would lose many more freedoms than that so that's the choice you have to make. Or I guess be a leech and hope others can do your part for you. That is part of the social contract you have with your government, and is part of the payment for all the benefits of living in that country. Ofc if you don't think that's worth it then you are welcome to move somewhere else.
-12
RelativeCourage8695 Apr 6, 2026 +44
You have a social contract with your government? The government can't even guarantee your retirement, how do you think they will guarantee your freedom?
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LostHero50 Apr 6, 2026 +24
I believe the payment for those benefits is called taxes. But I’m not 100% sure.
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toyyya Apr 6, 2026 -16
The social contract includes more than just monitary payment. Russia would likely collect taxes just the same but they would not use them in the same way. Defending your country is payment for the freedoms your country gives you.
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OrcaFlux Apr 6, 2026 +14
>Defending your country is payment for the freedoms your country gives you. What a bunch of utter nonsense. Freedom isn't something the country or the state gives you, it's intrinsic to you as a human being. If it is not intrinsic to you as a human being, then you are a slave. In other words, your line of thinking is effectively **defending slavery**. I'm not surprised though. This is a very common pattern among fellow Swedes. Most of you seem to be under the impression that you're entitled to other peoples sacrifice. Under that line of thinking, it's only natural that you would arrive at the conclusion that people are obligated to give up their very lives to defend the very same system that keeps them enslaved. In reality, no one owes you shit. And your line of thinking is beyond disgusting.
14
toyyya Apr 6, 2026 +8
Living in any state = slavery according to your logic lmao Are you an AnCap by any chance?
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OrcaFlux Apr 6, 2026 +3
>Living in any state = slavery according to your logic lmao This does not follow from what I wrote. I replied to your comment. In fact, I quoted the exact sentence I'm replying to. Here, I'll quote it again because apparently you didn't get it the first time. >Defending your country is payment for the freedoms your country gives you. This implies that I am not free if I do not pay. Which means I am born into slavery. And you are framing this as a good thing, which means you support slavery.
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RelativeCourage8695 Apr 6, 2026 +4
What freedom are you giving your life for? Free speech? Free movement? The freedom to assemble? Would you die for democracy? Do you think your children are better off without you but living in a democracy? Do you think your children prefer to grow up speaking freely but without one of their parents? I couldn't care less about your social contract.
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LostHero50 Apr 6, 2026
According to who? Most of the world does not have conscription. The irony in saying it’s to “defend the freedoms your country gives you” while they simultaneously strip those freedoms away. Governments are free to pay people enough, or give them some sort of reason to willingly enlist. Otherwise there’s no appetite for throwing away one’s life fighting pointless wars.
0
RelativeCourage8695 Apr 6, 2026 +17
Then why not do it on a voluntary basis? This way you would immediately know if the cause is worth fighting for. If you have to force people to fight your war, you might not be better than the people attacking you.
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OneSillyGooseG Apr 6, 2026 +20
Why have laws in the first place? I am sure everyone always acts according to what is right and for the common good even without laws voluntarily.
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king-krool Apr 6, 2026 +9
Conscription is absolutely abominable. 
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Swimming-Life-7569 Apr 6, 2026 +24
\>As a Finn I find your lack of defence moral disturbing. I can only imagine if you could hear what many young people of Finland think about dying for the country in it's current state.
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Jesus_Doner Apr 6, 2026 -11
Who or what is threatening Germany and its borders?
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Jyosea Apr 6, 2026 -14
Because your people, politicians, government and in general your way of life don’t suck in comparsion. But defending dumbass decisions of corrupt old politicians in Germany? Nope. 
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butternutflies Apr 6, 2026 -23
Oh look guys, a sheep
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IRL_im_black Apr 6, 2026 +11
Oh look guys, a Russian bot
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butternutflies Apr 6, 2026 -14
F***, this generic comment gets old real quick. Nah lmao just someone with a brain and common sense who’s not willing to die for a bunch of old greedy and power hungry fucks
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brrrbrrragaga Apr 6, 2026 +3
Switzerland has had this since forever.
3
Master-Rent5050 Apr 6, 2026 +54
Switzerland is not sending troops to random wars. Germany does (see: Afghanistan. No need to summon the guy with a mustache). If you are soldier in Switzerland you can be fairly certain that, if you fight in a war, it will be to defend your country. If you are a soldier in Germany, however..
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[deleted] Apr 6, 2026 -1
[removed]
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[deleted] Apr 6, 2026 +2
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Master-Rent5050 Apr 6, 2026
Here is the Putin propaganda newspaper doing it: https://www.dw.com/en/german-men-need-military-permit-for-extended-stays-abroad/a-76662677
0
sickcynic Apr 6, 2026 -13
You’d think the country with the literal Berlin Wall would’ve learnt the lesson already. The more power you give the government, the more you become dependent on the government teat, the more power it’ll give the faceless, unelected bureaucrat to infringe on your rights.
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Verulla Apr 6, 2026 +41
I think the issue here is that young Germans don't feel like they're getting enough from the government to engender the sort of patriotism this law would rely on. It's the German government which is learning the lesson - if the younger generations don't feel like they can depend on the government/country/etc..., then they won't be very invested in defending that government/country/etc...
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Coneskater Apr 6, 2026 -12
The f****** Russians are invading Eastern Europe. If they broke through Ukraine, they are in Poland next and on your doorstep. The draft is a regrettable albeit necessary requirement for national security.
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artifex78 Apr 6, 2026 -21
There is no "uproar". We had the same regulation during the cold war. As long as our military service is voluntary, which it currently is, the abroad stay is automatically approved. We are talking about a formality here.
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SickPuppy0x2A Apr 6, 2026 -13
I wasn’t aware of that but we had that in the past as well for years. It isn’t that new so I think the headline is a bit misleading.
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