Military service and an apprenticeship do not rule each other out from the start. Whether both fit together depends on whether your training has already begun or is legally promised. If you plan an apprenticeship, you still have to complete the questionnaire for military service once you turn 18. This guide explains which rules the Wehrpflichtgesetz (German Military Service Act) sets for trainees and where the answer depends on your individual case.
Short answer: Yes, in certain cases. Under § 12 para. 4 of the Military Service Act, a conscript can be deferred on application if an apprenticeship already under way would be interrupted, or a legally promised apprenticeship would be prevented. Men born in 2008 or later must still complete the questionnaire, and the deadline is one month. Last updated: November 2026.
The key points at a glance
- The questionnaire applies to men born in 2008 or later, also when an apprenticeship is planned.
- An apprenticeship that has already begun can be a reason for deferral on application.
- The statute also names an apprenticeship that is legally promised or secured by contract.
- A plan without a contract or written promise does not belong to the typical cases named in the law.
- The competent Bundeswehr office decides the individual case on application.
When is an apprenticeship considered to have begun?
The law speaks of an apprenticeship that has already begun. What matters is that the start lies before the call-up and that you can prove it with your training contract. A contract whose start lies later is a different case. It more likely falls under the variant of a legally promised or contractually secured apprenticeship, because it secures the start without having begun yet.
The distinction affects how you justify the application. Anyone already in training can point to an interruption. Anyone still before the start has to show that the call-up would prevent it. The exact requirements for the application are explained in the guide on deferral from military service because of studies (in German), which follows a similar procedure.
What happens if the apprenticeship starts only after service?
The law does not expressly say whether a training start after service is possible. The provision names deferral for cases in which the call-up would prevent an apprenticeship. If you plan a contract with the employer, clarify early which start date is possible and whether the contract allows a later start.
Questions about the start date, the probation period and termination depend on the training contract, not on the Military Service Act. It is worth reading the wording of the contract carefully before you sign.
What applies to the questionnaire and the medical examination during training?
The duty to complete the questionnaire depends on age and sex, not on your employment status. If you start an apprenticeship, you still have to answer the questionnaire on time. According to the Bundeswehr, the deadline is one month, and a missed deadline triggers a reminder with a two-week grace period. More on the deadlines is in the guide on the questionnaire duty (in German).
The medical examination (Musterung) is a separate procedure. According to the Bundeswehr, it includes a medical assessment and a computer test. The competent office can tell you when the examination applies to you. An apprenticeship does not replace this appointment. The guide on the 2026 medical examination (in German) describes the process and how to prepare.
Which starting position helps in the application?
| Starting position | Apprenticeship already begun | Apprenticeship not yet begun |
|---|---|---|
| Deferral possible | Yes, on application, named as a typical case in the law | Only with a legally binding promise or a contractually secured apprenticeship, on application |
| Questionnaire | Mandatory, to be completed on time | Mandatory, to be completed on time |
| Proof | Training contract and start date | Promise or contract stating the start date |
| Decision | Competent Bundeswehr office, individual case | Competent Bundeswehr office, individual case |
The table summarises the position but does not replace a review of your contract. If you are unsure which variant fits you, speak to the competent office before you submit the application.
How do I apply for deferral for an apprenticeship?
Deferral is an application, not an automatic result of the contract start. You submit it to the competent Bundeswehr office, which reviews it together with the documents that prove your training status. The office tells you which documents it requires. The procedure is described in the guide on deferral from military service because of studies (in German). The basic rules follow the same structure for apprenticeships and studies.
What does voluntary service change?
According to the Bundestag, basic military service is meant to remain voluntary at first. Anyone who volunteers enters an arrangement with the Bundeswehr that sets out duration and conditions. Whether an apprenticeship can be combined with such service is best clarified directly with the training employer and the Bundeswehr. More on the question of voluntary service versus compulsory service is in the guide on voluntary service or compulsory service (in German).
Frequently asked questions
Can I begin an apprenticeship despite military service?
In principle, yes. Whether the service prevents the start depends on the timing, on the contract and on whether you receive a deferral. There is no guarantee, because the application is decided case by case. Plan with a date that also works if service starts earlier than expected.
Do I have to complete the questionnaire during my apprenticeship?
Yes. The duty depends on birth year and sex, not on your working situation. The one-month deadline also applies if you are just starting an apprenticeship. If you miss the deadline, you receive a reminder.
Who decides on deferral because of an apprenticeship?
The competent Bundeswehr office examines the application in the individual case. The decision requires that you can prove the conditions under § 12 para. 4 of the Military Service Act. The office decides which documents are sufficient, so ask in advance which documents it needs for your start date and submit them completely.
Does an apprenticeship replace the medical examination?
No. The medical examination is a separate Bundeswehr procedure. Even if you start an apprenticeship, an invitation to it is an appointment you should take seriously. The competent office tells you when and where it takes place.
Where can I get a personal assessment?
For binding answers about your case, the competent Bundeswehr office is the right contact. For questions on funding and provision, you can also book personal advice with Academycon: how we work.
What to do now
- Check whether you have already returned the questionnaire, and note the one-month deadline.
- Secure your training contract or written promise with the start date.
- Ask the competent office which documents an application for deferral requires.
- Align the start date of the apprenticeship with the service timetable before you sign.
Related guides
- Military service and studies 2026: the overview (in German)
- Applying for deferral from military service because of studies (in German)
- Military service 2026: the questionnaire is mandatory for men aged 18 (in German)
- Medical examination 2026: process, duration and what to bring (in German)
- Military service or studies: pros and cons compared (in German)
Sources: Military Service Act (Wehrpflichtgesetz), § 12 (gesetze-im-internet.de, retrieved November 2026, German text); Bundeswehr: questionnaire for the new military service (page status 19 December 2025, German); German Bundestag, Research Services: Aktueller Begriff „Neuer Wehrdienst“ (No. 24/25, 16 September 2025, German).
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
