How long does the new military service last? The question matters if you are weighing whether a service fits with study or training. According to the Federal Government, the service lasts at least six months, and volunteers can choose a longer period.
Short answer: The new military service lasts at least six months, according to the Federal Government. Volunteers can choose a longer period, and with suitable aptitude a commitment of up to 25 years is possible. The page names no further explicit maximum (page published 5 December 2025).
Key points at a glance
- The minimum length of the new military service is six months, according to the Federal Government.
- Volunteers can choose a longer period themselves.
- With suitable aptitude, the Federal Government says a commitment of up to 25 years is possible. Its page names no further explicit maximum.
- Obligations beyond the basic term follow their own rules, set out in the contract.
- The contract determines what applies to you in concrete terms.
How long the service lasts at minimum
The Federal Government names the minimum length as a fixed starting point. If you start the service, you remain for at least six months, unless something else is agreed. The statement refers to the new military service in force since 1 January 2026.
| Question | Answer according to the sources | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum length | At least six months | Statement of the Federal Government, status December 2025 |
| Longer period | Can be chosen freely by volunteers | Depends on your contract |
| Commitment beyond the minimum | Not stated on the page | Ask the Bundeswehr about aptitude and terms |
A worked example with assumptions
Assumption: the service begins on 1 October 2026 and lasts exactly the minimum of six months. It would then end at the end of March 2027. If you choose a longer period, the end date moves accordingly. The example is only for orientation, because the start date and the contract term are set by your contract.
For students it matters that semester dates and service dates do not necessarily line up. Plan with a buffer, and check whether the start can be moved if necessary.
How the length affects study and training
The length is the most important factor if you want to combine study or training with the service. A minimum of six months roughly corresponds to one semester, depending on when the service starts. Neither the Federal Government nor the Bundeswehr makes a reliable statement on crediting or interruptions.
If you want to know how the service affects funding, see Military service and BAföG: does the service affect funding? (in German). The question is closely linked to the contract term.
What the contract regulates
The length is set in the contract, not only in an overview. The contract covers the start, the term and other conditions. How the contract works is described in the article on how the voluntary service contract works (in German) in detail.
Read the contract in full before you sign. Look at notice periods, renewal clauses and rules on the start date. If something is unclear, ask the responsible office in writing.
Frequently asked questions
Can I end military service after six months?
The Federal Government names six months as the minimum length. Whether and under which conditions you can leave earlier is set by the contract and the law. Ask the responsible office for the conditions.
How long can military service last at most?
The Federal Government’s page names no explicit maximum length of service. It does say: with suitable aptitude it is also possible to commit for up to 25 years. The 25 years therefore refer to a commitment. The contract and a statement from the Bundeswehr answer the rest.
Does military service count towards family health insurance?
Under the rules in force, family insurance is extended by the length of a voluntary military service. The exact requirements depend on your case, so check with your health insurer.
Can I choose the length myself?
According to the Federal Government, volunteers can choose a longer period freely. The choice is made within the framework of the contract.
Planning the service around your semester
The minimum length matters most for planning. If you want to keep exam dates, the start of term and internships in view, first fix the possible start of service and then adjust your study plan to it.
- Note the possible start of the service and the minimum length of six months.
- Work out the end date that follows, and enter it into your study plan.
- Check which exams and deadlines fall into that period.
- Clarify with your study office and the responsible office how absences are handled.
These steps do not replace binding advice. They do help you ask the right questions before you sign a contract.
Why length alone does not decide
Many students look first at the number of months. Start date, contract form and the effect on insurance and funding matter just as much. A short period is of little use if the start falls in the middle of the exam phase.
Health insurance is one example. The family insurance is extended by the length of a voluntary military service under the rules in force, but how that works for you depends on your data, and your health insurer clarifies it.
What if the start date moves?
The Federal Government names no rule on its page for a shift of the start date. Ask the responsible office before you make study or housing decisions that depend on a fixed start.
Can I change the length during service?
Whether a change is possible is set by the contract. The Federal Government makes no statement on this. Clarify it in writing before you commit.
Students often plan around the minimum term alone and then discover a gap later. A short check of the start date, the end date and the first weeks after the service helps you spot such gaps early. Write the results down and compare them with your study plan once a term.
Getting the answers in writing
Keep the answers to your questions in writing and store them with the contract. A confirmation by post or email helps much more in an emergency than a phone call. Phone answers are useful for orientation, but they do not replace what is written down.
Keep in mind that the minimum term is a starting point for planning, not a promise about your personal timetable. Your contract and the responsible office set the binding details.
Related guides
- Military service and studies 2026: the overview for men and women (in German)
- Voluntary military service: how the contract works (in German)
- Military service voluntary or compulsory: what applies in 2026 (in German)
- Conditional compulsory service: when conscription could return (in German)
- Military service and BAföG: does the service affect funding? (in German)
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
