military service | More and more conscientious objectors

The number of applications for conscientious objection has risen sharply this year. Photo: Frank Hammerschmidt/dpa Berlin.  The number of conscientious objectors in Germany continues to rise steeply. From January to the end of August this year, 12,102 applications for conscientious objection have already been received by the responsible Federal Office for Family and Civil Society Tasks, report Funke Medien and the Editorial Network Germany (RND), citing a spokeswoman for the authority. 

This means that the number of applications is already three times higher than in the entire year 2025, for which the Federal Office registered 3,879 applications. A comparison with the half-year balance shows how strong the trend is: by the end of June 2026, the Federal Office had reported receipt of 5,862 applications. Since then, the number has doubled in just two months. 

The reason for the increase is probably the tense security situation and the law on the new military service, which came into force on January 1st. The core is the mandatory muster for young men born in 2008 and above. This is intended to recruit volunteers to expand the force. If the target corridors are not met, the Bundestag can decide on a so-called compulsory military service.

Although compulsory military service has been suspended, it remains anchored in the Basic Law. Regardless of the suspension, according to the Federal Office, the right to refuse military service with a weapon for reasons of conscience remains in accordance with Article 4 Paragraph 3 of the Basic Law.

However, the Federal Office reports massive problems with many applications. A “high number of misdirected applications are currently being observed that are received with content that cannot be recognized and must be returned unprocessed,” the spokeswoman told Funke Medien. Misinformation about the route and content of an application was repeatedly circulating, including on social media.  dpa/nd

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