German Defense Ministry Admits ‘Mistake’ After Travel Permit Rule for Military-Age Men Likely Illegal

What happened

Since the start of 2026, a clause in Germany’s new military service law has required men aged 18 to 45 to obtain permission from the Bundeswehr before leaving the country for more than three months. The regulation lay dormant until April, when public attention triggered outrage over its potential impact on young men’s freedom of movement.

In response, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius on 9 April 2026 issued a general decree (Allgemeinverfügung) effectively suspending the requirement.

Mir sind unbürokratische und handhabbare Verfahren wichtig. In der aktuellen Friedenszeit wird es keine Genehmigungsverfahren geben. Wir setzen die Genehmigungspflicht aus, solange der Wehrdienst freiwillig ist.

Legal doubts

A report by the Bundestag’s Scientific Service, commissioned by the Left Party, now concludes that Pistorius’s decree is likely illegal. While the Wehrpflichtgesetz allows the minister to grant exceptions to the reporting obligation, the report argues that by issuing a blanket suspension for all men, the decree effectively voided a valid law—a power reserved for the Federal Constitutional Court.

dürfte angenommen werden können, dass die Allgemeinverfügung vom 9. April 2026 rechtswidrig ist

1. Jan 1, 2026New Wehrdienstgesetz takes effect, reintroducing travel permit requirement for men aged 18–45.
2. Apr 9, 2026Minister Pistorius issues Allgemeinverfügung suspending the permit requirement for all men.
3. Jun 1, 2026Ministry admits error and announces plan to amend law via Reservestärkungsgesetz.

Ministry backtracks

At a press conference on 1 June 2026, a spokesperson for the defense ministry acknowledged the error. She described the original wording of the law as

sicherlich ein Fehler beziehungsweise eine Ungenauigkeit

and added that

dass die Norm so drin steht, wie sie drin steht, ist ein Versehen

.

The ministry now plans to amend the law via the upcoming Reservestärkungsgesetz, restricting the travel-permit requirement to times of tension or national defense. In the interim, the spokesperson insisted that no one would face penalties for ignoring the rule.

Political reactions

Thomas Röwekamp (CDU), chairman of the Bundestag defense committee, demanded immediate clarity from Pistorius and warned that the affair endangered voluntary recruitment.

Der Vorgang ist extrem ärgerlich und schadet dem Anliegen, junge Menschen freiwillig für den Wehrdienst zu gewinnen.

He urged the minister to personally ensure legal certainty and to propose a fast legislative solution if needed.

The Left Party, which had requested the expert opinion, is now considering a lawsuit against the minister’s decree. Meanwhile, men aged 18–45 remain in legal limbo, unsure whether they must seek permission for longer trips abroad.