The military service questionnaire is voluntary for women, whereas it is compulsory for men. This distinction appears on the Bundeswehr questionnaire page and follows from the Conscription Act (Wehrpflichtgesetz, WPflG), which lists only men as liable for service. This guide explains what voluntary means in practice, what the questionnaire asks and what follows from taking part.
In short: Women do not have to fill in the military service questionnaire. The Bundeswehr describes participation as voluntary for women and for persons with another gender entry, and as compulsory for men with German citizenship who turn 18. According to the Bundeswehr this concerns about 350,000 men a year. Bundeswehr page as of 19 December 2025, last updated: November 2026.
Key points
- The questionnaire is compulsory for men and voluntary for women.
- Under section 1(1) WPflG, men from the age of 18 who are Germans within the meaning of the Basic Law are liable for military service.
- The deadlines and fines named by the Bundeswehr concern the duty of men. They do not apply to women.
- The Musterung (military screening) is not compulsory for women either. Anyone who volunteers for the forces goes through the assessment.
- Voluntary participation is a way into service, but not a contract and not an obligation.
Do women have to fill in the military service questionnaire?
No. According to the Bundeswehr, men must answer the questionnaire; for women participation is voluntary. The Federal Government confirms this in its answers on the new military service: the questionnaire has been going out to 18-year-olds since early January 2026, compulsory for men and voluntary for women (as of December 2025). The letters start with the 2008 birth cohort.
The reason lies in the statute. Under section 1(1) WPflG, men are liable for service from the completed 18th year if they are Germans within the meaning of the Basic Law and are permanently resident in Germany or have a comparable connection to the country. The declaration of readiness and ability regulated in section 15a WPflG is tied to this liability. For women it does not exist. How the situation looks for men is covered in the article (in German): Der Fragebogen ist Pflicht für Männer ab 18.
| Group | Questionnaire | Musterung |
|---|---|---|
| Men with German citizenship who turn 18 | Compulsory | Compulsory for men liable for service from the 2008 cohort |
| Women | Voluntary | Not compulsory, voluntary participation in the assessment possible |
| Persons with another gender entry | Voluntary (per Bundeswehr) | Not subject to the duty that applies to men |
The table reproduces the information given by the Bundeswehr and does not replace an examination of your individual case. If you are unsure about your status, the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Personnel Management (Bundesamt für das Personalmanagement der Bundeswehr) is the competent body.
What does voluntary mean in everyday terms?
Voluntary means that you neither have to return the questionnaire nor meet deadlines. Whether you take part is your decision. For men, the Bundeswehr page sets a deadline of one month after the letter, followed by a reminder with a two-week deadline. For non-submission or false information the page names an administrative offence with a planned fine of up to 250 euros. The legal basis is section 45 WPflG. These consequences concern the duty of men.
A woman who does not answer the questionnaire commits no breach of duty according to the Bundeswehr. Keep in mind, however, that without a questionnaire you will not automatically be included in the selection procedure. According to the Bundeswehr, the way into service runs through the questionnaire, the invitation to a career centre (Karrierecenter) and the assessment. The path in detail is described in the article (in German): Wehrdienst bewerben: Voraussetzungen und Ablauf.
What does the questionnaire ask?
Section 15a(1) WPflG states what the declaration covers. Among other things, the law lists these areas:
- details on the person and interest in military service
- height and weight
- a severe disability
- education and training
- a self-assessment of fitness
- service in foreign armed forces
The declaration is made online or in writing. Representation by an authorised person is permitted only in case of physical or mental incapacity, and if there is no response a reminder with a deadline follows after one month (section 15a WPflG). The procedure involves no fees for participants, and necessary expenses are reimbursed. Because the questionnaire contains health and education details, answer only what you can answer truthfully. For the technical side see (in German): Fragebogen online ausfüllen.
What follows from voluntary participation?
According to the Bundeswehr, taking part in the questionnaire creates no obligation. If you are interested, an invitation to a career centre and the assessment usually follow, in which suitability and inclination are compared. The assessment is voluntary for women too. A service contract only comes into being when you commit in writing. How the contract of a voluntary military service is structured is described in the article (in German): Freiwilliger Wehrdienst: Wie der Vertrag abläuft.
For women students there is one practical point. A service of at least six months falls into your study time. If you are interested, clarify semester planning, exam deadlines and possible effects on funding and health insurance first. Answers are in the articles (in German) Wehrdienst und BAföG and Wehrdienst und Krankenversicherung.
What about the Musterung for women?
In the narrow sense the Musterung is directed at men under the Conscription Act. The Bundeswehr states that the Musterung is not compulsory for women and that compulsory registration and screening of women is not provided for in the Basic Law (page as of 10 March 2026). Anyone who volunteers for the forces goes through the assessment. More in the article (in German): Musterung für Frauen: Freiwillig hingehen und was dafür gilt.
Frequently asked questions
Will I receive a letter as a woman at all?
The Federal Government writes that the questionnaire goes to 18-year-olds, voluntary for women. Whether and how you are written to depends on the Bundeswehr procedure. The Bundeswehr page gives no further details on this.
Can I be fined if I do not respond?
The fine under section 45 WPflG attaches to duties, for example to the correct and complete submission of the declaration. The Bundeswehr names the administrative offence in connection with the duty of men. For women, for whom participation is voluntary, it names no consequence.
Do I commit to service by filling in the questionnaire?
No. The questionnaire records details and interest. According to the Bundeswehr, service begins only after invitation, assessment and commitment.
Can this change?
It can, because law and procedure can change. The Bundeswehr itself points out that information changes. Before deciding, check the current Bundeswehr page and the statute. According to the sources named here, only the voluntary status for women is settled.
What to do now
- Check whether you received a letter from the Federal Office and read it in full.
- Decide whether you want to take part in the questionnaire. There is no duty.
- If you take part, answer only what you can state truthfully.
- If you are interested in service, factor in your studies, funding and insurance.
- Check the current Bundeswehr page before deadlines and decisions.
Related guides (in German)
- Wehrdienst und Studium 2026: Der Überblick
- Der Fragebogen ist Pflicht für Männer ab 18
- Musterung für Frauen
- Wehrdienst freiwillig oder Pflicht
- Bußgeld bei Nichtabgabe des Fragebogens
Sources: Bundeswehr: questionnaire on the new military service (page as of 19 December 2025), Conscription Act (WPflG), sections 1 and 15a, gesetze-im-internet.de, Section 45 WPflG, fines, gesetze-im-internet.de, Federal Government: answers on the new military service (December 2025), Bundeswehr: assessment and Musterung (page as of 10 March 2026).
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
