Germany begins sending forms to 18-year-olds asking them if they are fit for war as conscription laws come into effect and conflict with Russia looms
From this week, every German male will be legally required to answer questions from the army the moment he turns 18.
By OLIVIA ALLHUSEN, FOREIGN NEWS REPORTER
Published: 11:05 GMT, 1 January 2026 | Updated: 11:11 GMT, 1 January 2026
Germany is stepping up preparations for war – starting with its teenage boys.
From this week, every German male will be legally required to answer questions from the army the moment he turns 18, as part of a sweeping new military service scheme approved amid mounting fears of a major conflict in Europe.
Tens of thousands of teenagers will be sent a compulsory 14-question survey by the Bundeswehr, asking not only how interested they are in joining the military, but how fit they are to fight and how quickly they could be ready for service.
Ignoring the form is not an option. Young men who refuse to complete the questionnaire – or repeatedly ignore follow-up demands from the army – face fines of up to €1,000 (£800), even though ministers insist the scheme falls short of full conscription.
The survey digs deep into personal details. Teenagers are asked to rate their willingness to join the armed forces on a scale of one to ten, say when they would be available to serve and for how long, and disclose whether they have any disabilities.
Elsewhere, respondents must provide basic personal information including their weight, age, qualifications and any languages they speak, as well as carry out a blunt self-assessment of their physical fitness, choosing from options ranging from 'very good' to 'low'.
Germany is stepping up preparations for war – starting with its teenage boys. Pictured: Recruits participate in a training drill during a media day at the Reconnaissance Battalion
From this week, every German male will be legally required to answer questions from the army the moment he turns 18, as part of a sweeping new military service scheme approved amid mounting fears of a major conflict in Europe
The questionnaire also lays out potential military career paths, from the army, navy and air force to roles in cyber security and logistical support – a move critics say feels more like recruitment than a simple data-gathering exercise.
According to the defence ministry, around 54,000 surveys will be sent out every month from January onwards, underlining the scale of the operation.
While women aged 18 and over will not be forced to take part, they may complete the survey voluntarily if they are interested in joining the armed forces.
And the pressure does not stop with paperwork. From July 2027, all male 18-year-olds will also be legally required to attend a military medical examination to assess their fitness for service.
In a striking escalation, the German defence ministry has confirmed the army will have the power to call in the police on young men who repeatedly refuse to turn up for the exam.