The question of an examination for women keeps coming up, because the duty for men has applied again since 2026. The Bundeswehr separates the two routes clearly. For women there is no compulsory examination in the legal sense, but there is a voluntary assessment for everyone who wants to serve in the unit.
Kurz beantwortet: According to the Bundeswehr, a military examination in the strict sense (Musterung) applies only to men, because only they fall under the Military Service Act. Women who volunteer for service in the unit take part in the nationwide assessment. According to the page, the Basic Law does not provide for a compulsory registration or examination of women. Status of the source: 10 March 2026. Status of this guide: November 2026.
The key points at a glance
- According to the Bundeswehr, the examination in the strict sense is provided only for men.
- Women can volunteer for service in the unit and then take part in the assessment.
- Women may complete the questionnaire for military registration voluntarily.
- According to the page, the Basic Law does not provide for compulsory registration or examination of women.
- The page gives no information on items to bring and no invitation details for women.
Why there is no compulsory examination for women
The Bundeswehr justifies the difference with the law. Only men are examined in Germany, because only they fall under the Military Service Act. According to the page, the Basic Law does not provide for compulsory registration and examination of women, and in its view such measures are therefore not possible.
For women, voluntariness remains the standard. Anyone aiming for service in the unit, however, goes through the same procedure as men, only by their own decision.
What voluntary means in practice
The Bundeswehr puts it explicitly: women who want to join the Bundeswehr must go through the procedure. Women who volunteer for service in the unit take part in the nationwide assessment. The page names no separate invitation for women.
The whole route is therefore voluntary. You decide whether to register and whether to complete the questionnaire. The questionnaire is explicitly voluntary for women, although it is compulsory for men.
Men and women compared
The table below sets out the differences. It is based on the Bundeswehr’s statements and leaves out points the page does not describe.
| Point | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| Questionnaire for military registration | Compulsory from the 18th birthday (birth year 2008 and following) | Voluntary |
| Examination in the strict sense | Compulsory for men, examination centres are being set up | Not provided for |
| Assessment | Part of the procedure, according to the page targeted at interested persons until then | Part of the procedure for volunteers |
| Length of the procedure | Usually within one day | Usually within one day |
| Items to bring | No information on the page | No information on the page |
Sequence of the assessment
The Bundeswehr describes the stations for the examination and the assessment together. They include a medical assessment, a computer test and a personal conversation. Physical, psychological and intellectual fitness are examined, along with inclination towards service.
- Medical assessment of hearing, eyesight, blood pressure, resilience, back and joints.
- The CAT test, which checks 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.
- Finally, a placement interview and the initiation of the security check.
The overall result is communicated on the same day, followed by an advisory conversation. For a long journey, the page states that accommodation is available.
How to approach the route in practice
The page on the examination does not describe in detail how women register. The Bundeswehr’s hotline on 0800-9903300 answers questions about the new military service. Before you call, note down the questions that concern you most.
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.
What distinguishes the assessment from the examination
For men the examination is a compulsory station, for women the assessment is a voluntary option built on the same basic framework of medical review, test and conversation. The difference therefore lies in the legal framework rather than in the checks themselves. Anyone who attends the assessment should expect the same standard as the men who are examined.
Commitment length and changing status
The Wehrdienst page distinguishes the periods of service. At least six months are spent in the unit, and up to eleven months as a volunteer Wehrdienst recruit. From twelve months you become a temporary soldier. This threshold matters for planning, because it determines both pay and the length of the commitment.
What happens after the assessment
The overall result is communicated on the same day. A consultation conversation follows. Only in the placement interview does the Bundeswehr compare medical fitness, skills and wishes with the vacancies available. A security check is then initiated.
Anyone who knows these steps can clarify questions in advance and plan the length of the commitment deliberately, rather than being guided by individual impressions on the day.
Frequently asked questions
Must I attend an examination as a woman?
No. According to the Bundeswehr, the examination in the strict sense is provided only for men. Women can take part in the assessment voluntarily if they want to serve in the unit.
Is the questionnaire compulsory for women?
No. Women and persons registered with another gender can complete the questionnaire voluntarily. More on this in our guide on the questionnaire for women (in German).
Do other tests apply to women?
The page describes the same stations for the procedure that women go through in the assessment. The evaluation is based on fitness and inclination, not on gender. Details of the medical examination are covered in our guide on fitness testing (in German).
Is there an age limit for women?
The page gives no age limit. If you are interested, ask the hotline rather than relying on assumptions.
What to do now
- Decide whether voluntary service in the unit fits your plans.
- Read the sequence of the assessment and check which stations concern you.
- Use the hotline for questions about registration that the page does not answer.
- Plan a full day for the appointment and check accommodation if the journey is long.
Related guides
- Wehrdienst und Studium 2026: Der Überblick für Männer und Frauen
- Military examination 2026: procedure, duration and what to bring
- Wehrdienst questionnaire for women: compulsory or voluntary?
- Applying for military service: requirements and process
- Fitness examination during the medical examination
Sources: Medical examination and assessment for the Wehrdienst, bundeswehr.de (page status: 10 March 2026); Neuer Wehrdienst: questionnaire, bundeswehr.de (page status: 19 December 2025).
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
