Germany: what impact will the return of military service and efforts to boost reserve forces have on businesses?

Germany wants to significantly increase its military personnel to bolster its ability to defend itself. This push will involve reintroducing military service, either voluntary or compulsory, and doubling the number of reservists. Last week, Chancellor Friedrich Merz asked businesses to support this effort whatever the cost. While waiting for a new legislative framework, the business community is discussing the impact of such measures on labour availability and on the training opportunities offered by the army.

By Thomas Schnee. Published on 03 July 2025 à 11h49 - Update on 03 July 2025 à 11h49

Increasing military personnel through military service and reserves. In 2011, a time when allocating massive resources to defence no longer seemed a plausible option, Germany suspended compulsory military service. The backdrop has changed, however, and the return of conscription is on the horizon. The army currently has 185,000 soldiers (80,000 civilians) but, according to defence minister Boris Pistorius, the country’s rearmament and Germany’s commitments to NATO mean that the number of troops needs to be increased to 260,000. Despite a sharp rise in applications to the army since 2023 (+41%), this target will be difficult to achieve.…

Thomas Schnee

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