The military service questionnaire (Fragebogen zum Wehrdienst) gives you one month to complete and return it. If you do not respond, the Bundeswehr sends a reminder with a new deadline. This guide shows the order of the deadlines and what to do if you need more time.
Short answer: You have one month to complete and return the military service questionnaire. If you do not respond, the Bundeswehr sends a reminder by registered post with a two-week grace period. A late declaration of willingness can be submitted at any time, but the obligation remains. Last updated: November 2026.
The most important points in brief
- The first deadline is one month for completing and returning the form (page status: 19 Dec 2025).
- After the deadline, a reminder follows by registered post with a new deadline of two weeks.
- A declaration of willingness can be submitted late at any time.
- The statutory obligation remains in place even if the form arrives late.
- If the grace period also passes unanswered, the Bundeswehr initiates administrative offence proceedings according to the page.
When does the deadline start?
The page names one month for completing and returning the form, but it does not describe the start of the deadline in more detail. Use the date printed on the covering letter as your reference and do not wait until the last day. If the letter reaches you late, note the date of receipt straight away so that you can show when you received it.
Plan the time realistically. Completing the form takes longer than expected if you first have to gather documents. A buffer of one week before the deadline gives you room to correct mistakes and send the form safely.
What happens after the first deadline?
After the deadline, the Bundeswehr sends a reminder. The page describes it as a registered letter with a new deadline. In the reminder, the Bundeswehr sets a grace period of two weeks. Anyone who lets this period also pass must expect administrative offence proceedings. The amount of a possible fine is explained in Military service questionnaire: fines for non-response and consequences.
| Point in time | What the Bundeswehr page states | What you should do |
|---|---|---|
| With the covering letter | You receive the form with a deadline of one month | Note the date, check the details |
| After the first deadline | Reminder by registered post with a new deadline | Open it at once and note the new deadline |
| After the two-week grace period | Administrative offence proceedings if you have not responded | Return the form before then, even if it is tight |
| At any later time | A declaration of willingness can be submitted; the obligation remains | Submit it rather than waiting further |
What if I cannot meet the deadline?
The page provides that a declaration of willingness can be submitted at any time. A late submission is therefore possible. It does not replace the deadline and does not cancel the obligation. If you need time, contact the competent authority before the deadline runs out and ask for a written reply. Keep a dated record of your request.
The page names no extension of the deadline. You therefore have no automatic confirmation, even if you write early. Do not rely on a verbal remark; ask for a reply in writing.
Checklist: keeping track of the deadlines
- Write the date of the covering letter and the date of receipt in your calendar.
- Set an appointment for completing the form, at the latest two weeks before the deadline.
- Complete the form in full and keep a copy for your records.
- Send the form in a way that lets you prove dispatch.
- When a reminder arrives, check the new deadline immediately and note it down.
Why the deadline matters
The deadline does not decide whether the obligation applies. It decides the route by which you meet it. If you respond on time, you avoid the reminder procedure and the extra correspondence it brings. The Bundeswehr expects the response anyway, even though a late declaration can still be submitted.
In practice, a letter that stays unopened quickly becomes a problem. Put the covering letter in a fixed place on the day it arrives and keep it until the procedure is closed.
What to have ready for queries
When you write to the competent authority, include the key details straight away. These are your full name, your date of birth, the date of the covering letter and a reference number, if one appears on the letter. This allows the office to match your file without repeated questions.
- Full name and date of birth
- Date of the covering letter and date of receipt
- Reference number, if printed on the letter
- Copy of earlier correspondence, if you have any
Frequently asked questions
Can the one-month deadline be extended?
The page names no extension. If you need more time, ask the competent authority in writing before the deadline runs out. This does not automatically give you a confirmed extension.
What does the reminder letter contain?
According to the page, the reminder comes by registered post and sets a new deadline. The page does not describe further content. Read the letter in full and reply on time.
Is it enough to return the form only after the reminder?
A late submission is possible according to the page, but it does not replace the deadline. It is safer to return the form within the first deadline. If that is not possible, contact the authority before the deadline ends.
What if I never received the letter?
The page does not regulate this case explicitly. Contact the competent authority before any deadline runs out and record your enquiry with the date. This makes it possible to show later when you got in touch.
Does the deadline also apply while I am studying?
The deadline applies to everyone who receives the form. Studying does not change it. Whether you receive a deferral is a separate question that depends on an application. The route is described in Deferral from military service because of studies.
What to do now
- Secure the date of the covering letter and note the deadline in your calendar.
- Complete the form so that you are finished two weeks before the deadline.
- Send the form in a way that proves dispatch and keep a copy.
- If a reminder arrives, check the new deadline immediately and reply on time.
Related articles
- Military service 2026: the questionnaire is mandatory for men aged 18
- Military service questionnaire: fines for non-response and consequences
- Musterung 2026: procedure, duration and what to bring
- Deferral from military service because of studies
- Military service and studies 2026: overview
Sources: Bundeswehr: Questionnaire on the new military service (page status: 19 Dec 2025, in German), German Bundestag, printed paper 21/6256 (government response, in German).
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
