Anyone seriously considering the new military service looks for an application route. However, the Bundeswehr does not describe a separate application procedure with its own form. Entry runs through the questionnaire, an invitation to a Karrierecenter and an assessment in which fitness and your wishes are matched.
Short answer: The Bundeswehr does not describe a separate application procedure. The route runs through the questionnaire for military registration, an invitation to a Karrierecenter with a medical examination or assessment, a stated wish regarding location and branch, and the start of service. The page gives no minimum age. Source status: 19 December 2025. Status of this guide: November 2026.
The key points at a glance
- Entry runs through the questionnaire for military registration and an invitation to a Karrierecenter.
- The assessment checks physical, psychological and intellectual fitness as well as aptitude.
- A wish regarding location or branch is taken into account where possible.
- The minimum period of service in the unit is six months.
- The page gives no age limit for service itself.
An application route without registration?
The page on the new Wehrdienst contains no separate registration form. Instead, the Bundeswehr describes a process that begins with registration. Anyone aiming for service in the unit goes through this process in a fixed order.
This has a practical consequence: you cannot simply file an application and wait for an acceptance. What matters is knowing the steps and meeting the deadlines that apply in the questionnaire procedure.
The steps at a glance
The Bundeswehr names four stages. The table below arranges them and shows what happens in each phase.
| Step | What happens | What matters to you |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Questionnaire | Registration of interest and basic, above all health related, fitness | Observe the one month deadline |
| 2. Invitation | Invitation to a Karrierecenter for a medical examination or assessment | Check the appointment in advance |
| 3. Wish | Stating a wish regarding location or branch | Taken into account where possible |
| 4. Start of service | Start on the agreed date (call-up) | Length depends on the commitment |
Requirements: what the page sets out
The Bundeswehr names one requirement clearly: fitness. The examination at the Karrierecenter checks physical, mental and character suitability. For voluntary service that is the decisive yardstick, and the results determine the further route.
The page gives neither an upper age limit nor a minimum age for service itself. If you need a binding answer on this, use the Bundeswehr’s hotline on 0800-9903300.
What the assessment examines
The assessment usually takes one day. The Bundeswehr describes several stations, including a medical assessment of hearing, eyesight, blood pressure, resilience, back and joints, and a computer based test.
- Medical assessment covering hearing, eyesight, blood pressure, resilience, back and joints.
- The CAT test, a computer test for self-assessment, logical thinking, reaction speed and spatial imagination.
- A personal conversation with the test management. Talks with psychologists take place only in exceptional cases.
- For a commitment of two years or more as a temporary soldier, an optional conversation with an assessment commission.
For officer careers there is a separate assessment in Cologne with physical tests. The page names a shuttle run, the pull-up hang and a test on the 3,000 metre ergometer.
The conclusion: placement and security clearance
At the end comes a placement interview in which medical fitness, skills and wishes are compared with the vacancies available. A security check is then initiated. The overall result of the examination is communicated on the day, followed by an advisory conversation.
Knowing the process helps you plan your appointments. According to the Bundeswehr, the procedure is usually completed within one day. Accommodation is available for those with a long journey.
Duration and commitment
The page distinguishes several periods of service. At least six months are spent in the unit, and up to eleven months are possible as a volunteer Wehrdienst recruit. From twelve months you become a temporary soldier. For enlisted ranks a service period of up to 25 years is possible.
Which period suits you depends on your plans, for example your studies or training. Our guide on the duration of the Wehrdienst (in German) explains the differences in more detail.
Preparing for the appointment at the Karrierecenter
The stations described test fitness and aptitude, not specialist knowledge. The day is tightly scheduled and includes medical, computer based and personal parts. Anyone who arrives rested and on time can concentrate on the individual tasks.
For a long journey, the page states that accommodation is available. Take this into account when planning the date, for example if the appointment falls on a day with lectures or shifts.
Formulating your wish for location and branch
The wish is taken into account where possible. It is therefore not an entitlement but a proposal that the Bundeswehr compares with the vacancies available. This happens in the placement interview at the end of the procedure.
It is worth considering two or three locations or areas in advance, rather than fixing on a single one. Anyone who stays flexible improves the chance that one of the wishes matches an offer.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a cover letter or a curriculum vitae?
The page names no separate application document. The questionnaire and the assessment form the process. Which documents are required in your case is for the Bundeswehr to specify with the invitation.
Can I choose a location?
You can state a wish regarding location or branch. The page says this wish is taken into account where possible. No guarantee is attached to it.
Does the assessment also apply to women?
Women who volunteer for service in the unit take part in the nationwide assessment. According to the page, the compulsory examination in the narrower sense applies only to men. More on this in our guide on the examination for women (in German).
Who is exempt from the service?
The page names severely disabled and equivalent persons as well as persons under legal care as exempt from compulsory service under section 11 of the Wehrpflichtgesetz. Voluntary service remains generally possible.
What to do now
- Complete the questionnaire within the deadline, because it is the first step in the process.
- After the invitation, check the appointment at the Karrierecenter and plan your journey.
- Note your wish regarding location or branch in advance.
- Clarify open questions on age and commitment with the hotline before you commit.
Related guides
- Military Service and Studies 2026: The Overview for Men and Women
- Voluntary Wehrdienst: how the contract works
- Fitness examination during the medical examination: what is checked
- Wehrdienst duration: how long the new service lasts
- Wehrdienst questionnaire online: step-by-step guide
Sources: Neuer Wehrdienst, bundeswehr.de (page status: 19 December 2025, hotline and process); Medical examination and assessment for the Wehrdienst, bundeswehr.de (page status: 10 March 2026).
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
