Thousands of people do not want to join the army. A record was broken and the number of applications skyrocketed
In Germany, applications for conscientious objection are increasing rapidly. 5,862 of them were submitted in half a year, more than in the entire year 2025.
More and more people in Germany want to exercise their right to refuse military service for reasons of conscience. In the first half of 2026, the Federal Office for Family and Social Affairs received 5,862 applications. This is more than in the entire previous year.
In 2025, 3,867 such applications were registered. This means that the result for the six months of 2026 was more than half higher than for the entire previous 12 months. Data provided to RND by the Federal Office for Family and Social Affairs also show that the number of applications is higher than in 2011, when compulsory conscription was suspended.
Conscientious objection to military service in Germany. The applications are growing rapidly
The increase coincided with the new military service model in force from the beginning of 2026. Young men receive questionnaires regarding, among others: their readiness to serve. In their case, the answer is obligatory, while women can fill out the form voluntarily.
The changes are intended to support increasing the size of the Bundeswehr. At the same time, the right to refuse military service with weapons for reasons of conscience has not disappeared in Germany. People who want to use it can apply for formal recognition as refusing such service.
You need to justify your decision
The application itself is not enough. The person seeking recognition of the right to refuse must provide reasons for his decision. It should demonstrate that opposition to serving with weapons is based on beliefs and conscience.
Federal regulations provide for formal recognition of the applicant if the documentation is complete, the reasons presented justify the refusal, and the circumstances do not provide grounds to question the truthfulness of his statements. In case of doubt, it is possible to request additional written explanations and then conduct an interrogation.
There are more conclusions, but the opposing group is also growing
Data from the first half of the year show a clear increase in interest in conscientious objection. It is worth noting, however, that at the same time some people give up the status they previously obtained.
In the first half of 2026, the Federal Office recorded 402 such cases. For comparison, in the whole of 2025 there were 781, in 2024 626, and a year earlier 536. After resignation, a given person is no longer legally treated as conscientious objector.
The Bundeswehr is also increasing its numbers
The record number of refusal applications does not mean that interest in military service is declining throughout society. According to data from the German Ministry of Defense, in July the Bundeswehr numbered approximately 186,700. soldiers – the most in 13 years.
Compared to July 2025, the number increased by approximately 3,700 people. The ministry also reported an increase in the number of candidates and admissions to service. The data therefore show two parallel phenomena: the number of people interested in the Bundeswehr and those who formally apply for the right to refuse service with weapons is increasing.
