Students who are due for military service may, under certain conditions, apply for a Zurückstellung (deferral of call-up). The Military Service Act (WPflG) regulates deferral in section 12, and it describes a hardship case that can also cover university study. This guide explains what the statute says and which questions remain open.
Short answer: A deferral from military service is provided under section 12 para. 4 WPflG on application, where a particular hardship would result from the call-up. For university study, the statute names as the usual case that the third semester has been reached by the time service begins. Under section 20 WPflG the application must be reasoned and submitted in writing or recorded orally at the Federal Office of Personnel Management of the Bundeswehr, at the latest by the end of the medical screening (Musterung). Last updated: November 2026.
The most important points in brief
- Deferral is regulated in section 12 of the Military Service Act and requires an application.
- For the hardship case, paragraph 4 uses the wording “soll”, meaning a rule with exceptions rather than discretion without limits.
- University study falls under number 3 if the third semester has been reached by the time service begins.
- A deferral postpones the call-up. It does not cancel the obligation.
- Section 20 WPflG sets a deadline: the application must be received at the latest by the end of the medical screening (Musterung). Exception: the ground for deferral arises or becomes known only later.
What does section 12 WPflG regulate?
The section distinguishes several cases. It names temporary unfitness for service, preparation for a spiritual office, consent to a nomination for election to a parliament and the general hardship case. For students, the hardship case in paragraph 4 is the most relevant. The other cases concern different circumstances and are not meant here.
When does the hardship case apply to students?
Under paragraph 4, deferral should be granted on application if the call-up would cause particular hardship for personal, domestic, economic or professional reasons. As a rule, such hardship exists where training would be interrupted or an agreed vocational training place would be prevented. The statute expressly mentions university study where the third semester has been reached by the time service begins.
| Case under paragraph 4 | Content of the statute (abridged) | Relevance for students |
|---|---|---|
| Number 1 | Endangering the support of family or of persons in need of help, or foreseeable emergencies for close relatives | Only if this applies to you |
| Number 2 | Indispensability for keeping and continuing one’s own business | Rarely relevant |
| Number 3 | Interruption of training or prevention of an agreed vocational training place; university study counts from the third semester by the time service begins | The main focus here |
The list is abridged. The statute also mentions a dual course of study, but only under certain conditions. Check the complete wording to see whether your case falls under it.
How do I apply?
An application is the route the statute provides. Under section 20 WPflG you submit it with reasons, in writing or recorded orally, at the Federal Office of Personnel Management of the Bundeswehr. You can apply at the earliest after the request under section 15a para. 1 WPflG, and the application must arrive at the latest by the end of the medical screening. The steps below order the process; the statute prescribes no particular form.
- Check whether your studies fall under number 3 and work out the semester you would have reached by the expected start of service.
- Collect evidence of your studies, for example an enrolment certificate. Clarify in advance whether that exact document is required.
- Submit the reasoned application in writing to the Federal Office of Personnel Management of the Bundeswehr, at the latest by the end of the medical screening, and record the date and the dispatch.
- Note the date of receipt of any reply and check which remedies any decision names.
The competence of the Federal Office of Personnel Management of the Bundeswehr for deferral applications follows from section 20 WPflG. The government response to printed paper 21/6256 names the same authority for fine proceedings. Check the current address on the Bundeswehr website before sending.
How long does a deferral last?
Under paragraph 6, a deferral in the cases of paragraph 4 may last only so long that you can still be called up before the relevant age limit. In exceptional cases of unreasonable hardship, a longer deferral is possible. The provision contains further details that are not fully reproduced here. The competent authority clarifies the age limit and the calculation.
What does deferral mean for the examination?
Deferral under section 12 concerns the call-up. The application is nonetheless tied to the medical screening under section 20 WPflG: it must arrive at the latest by the end of the screening. Whether the examination appointment can be moved is a separate question, which the inviting body clarifies. Anyone who mixes the two up may wait for an effect that the application does not have. The procedure on the examination day is described in Musterung 2026: procedure and duration.
Before you apply: what to clarify first
Before you write the application, clarify several points that concern your case. These include your current semester, the date of the medical screening as the end of the application period, the expected start of service and whether your studies are at a university. It is equally important to know whether you have all the documents on your studies and whether your details match the questionnaire.
A short overview helps you keep track:
- Current semester and start of studies
- Expected start of service according to the Bundeswehr letter
- Evidence of studies, for example an enrolment certificate
- Copy of the application and proof of receipt
Why the wording “soll” matters
Paragraph 4 says that deferral “soll” be granted on application. That is a rule with exceptions, not a provision that leaves the authority free to decide. Whoever meets the hardship case can therefore rely on the rule. The authority must still check in each case whether the requirements are met.
Frequently asked questions
Is deferral automatic if I study?
No. The statute provides deferral on application. Studying alone is not enough. The requirements of paragraph 4 must be met, and you must submit the application.
What does the third semester by the start of service mean?
It means the semester you would have reached at the planned start of service. The start of service is the benchmark, not the current state of your studies. Work it out early so that the details in your application are correct.
Do I still have to return the questionnaire?
The statute on deferral governs the call-up, not the questionnaire. Assume that you still have to return the questionnaire. The obligation is described in Military service 2026: the questionnaire is mandatory for men aged 18.
Is there a deadline for the application?
Yes. Under section 20 WPflG you can apply at the earliest after the request under section 15a para. 1, and the application must arrive at the latest by the end of the medical screening. Cases where the ground for deferral arises or becomes known only later are excepted. Apply as early as possible. The questionnaire deadlines are described in Military service questionnaire: deadline, reminder and what follows.
What applies to a dual course of study?
The statute mentions the dual course of study as a special case, but only under certain conditions. These conditions are not reproduced here in full. Check your case against the complete wording or ask the competent authority.
What to do now
- Work out your semester at the expected start of service and assign your case to a number of paragraph 4.
- Apply early and in writing, with evidence of your studies.
- File the application at the Federal Office of Personnel Management of the Bundeswehr at the latest by the end of the medical screening.
Related articles
- Musterung from birth cohort 2008: who has to attend
- Musterung 2026: procedure and duration
- Military service 2026: the questionnaire is mandatory for men aged 18
- Military service questionnaire: deadline, reminder and what follows
- Military service and studies 2026: overview
Sources: Wehrpflichtgesetz § 12, gesetze-im-internet.de (in German, undated version), Wehrpflichtgesetz § 20, gesetze-im-internet.de (in German, undated version), German Bundestag, printed paper 21/6256 (government response, in German).
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
