Young German men face €250 fine for not filling military service form

Young German men who have failed to fill out a questionnaire evaluating their readiness to serve in the military as part of a new law face a fine of up to €250 ($280), the Defence Ministry said on Wednesday.

Germany reintroduced a voluntary military service programme last year in an effort to raise troop numbers in response to Russia's war in Ukraine and new NATO targets.

Since the beginning of the year, 18-year-olds have been sent a questionnaire evaluating their readiness to serve. While it is voluntary for women to fill out the form, men are required to send it back within four weeks.

If they fail to do so, they get a reminder giving them another two weeks before a fine applies.

A total of 492,800 questionnaires have been sent out as of September 30, including to 253,000 men and 239,800 women, according to the Defence Ministry.

Some 96% of men have returned the letters in time, it said, adding that troop numbers were up by 4,500 in September compared to the same month last year.

Germany's new military service law passed last year is intended to assist in raising troop levels from 180,000 to 260,000, with an additional reserve force due to reach 200,000.

If the voluntary programme fails to bring up troop levels in the Bundeswehr, the government has said that it could reintroduce a mandatory military service.

According to the ministry, the German military currently counts some 186,000 active soldiers.