The military service questionnaire (Fragebogen zum Wehrdienst) is mandatory for men once they turn 18 and hold German citizenship. Women may complete it voluntarily. This guide explains who is affected, what the obligation covers and how it differs from the medical examination (Musterung).
Short answer: German men with German citizenship must answer the questionnaire on the new military service once they turn 18. According to the Bundeswehr, this affects roughly 350,000 young men each year, who have been contacted since 2026. Women may complete it voluntarily. The Bundeswehr names no exception for students. Last updated: November 2026.
The most important points in brief
- Men with German citizenship must answer the questionnaire once they turn 18.
- Women take part voluntarily.
- The Bundeswehr puts the number at roughly 350,000 young men per year (page status: 19 Dec 2025).
- The questionnaire is not the same as the medical examination. The examination is a separate step.
- Studying does not suspend the obligation automatically. Only an application based on recognised grounds can lead to a deferral.
- Deadlines, reminders and fines have their own articles. This one covers who is affected and why.
Who must complete the questionnaire, and who may?
The obligation applies to young men, not to every young person. The table summarises what the Bundeswehr questionnaire page states.
| Group | Questionnaire | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Men with German citizenship who turn 18 | Mandatory | Affected according to the Bundeswehr page |
| Women aged 18 | Voluntary | Participation is voluntary |
| Men aged 18 who are already studying or about to start | Mandatory | The page names no exception for students |
The page describes the obligation for 18-year-old men with German citizenship. If you hold another nationality or live abroad permanently, ask the competent authority before relying on any assumption.
Why does the obligation apply to 18-year-olds?
The questionnaire serves to register young men. It tells the Bundeswehr who must be contacted and who responds. The page ties the obligation to age 18 because that is the group it names as addressees. This guide does not reproduce forecasts about future personnel needs, because no official statement exists that could be quoted cleanly here.
What does the questionnaire have to do with the medical examination?
The questionnaire is the response, the examination is the appointment. According to the Bundeswehr page on the examination, the obligation to attend applies to male conscripts born in 2008 and later. The page states that earlier birth cohorts are not currently planned. The sequence of the appointment is described in the article Musterung 2026: Procedure and Duration. Who exactly has to attend is covered in Musterung ab Jahrgang 2008.
Do I have to complete the questionnaire while studying?
If you belong to the group named above, yes. Studying does not release you from the obligation automatically. The Bundeswehr page does not name an exception for students. Whether you receive a deferral depends on an application and on specific grounds. The route is described in Deferral from military service because of studies.
What does the questionnaire contain?
This guide cannot reproduce the full wording, because the form is sent with the covering letter and the Bundeswehr page only outlines it. Complete it fully and truthfully. According to the Bundeswehr page, incorrect information is also an administrative offence. The consequences are explained in Military service questionnaire: fines for non-response and consequences.
Check name, date of birth and address against your documents when completing the form. A query from the authority costs time within a deadline that is already short.
How the steps fit together
The questionnaire is the first step in a sequence. The table shows the order as far as the Bundeswehr pages describe it.
| Step | What the Bundeswehr page states | Article (in German) |
|---|---|---|
| Questionnaire | Return within one month of the covering letter | Deadline and reminder |
| Reminder | Reminder letter by registered post with a two-week grace period | Deadline and reminder |
| Administrative offence | Applies if you do not respond within the grace period; fine range up to 250 euros according to the page | Fines and consequences |
| Medical examination | Obligation for birth cohort 2008; procedure usually takes one day | Musterung 2026 |
| Deferral | Only on application and for specific reasons, for example studies | Deferral because of studies |
The sequence does not take the same time for everyone. If you respond on time, you never reach the reminder and fine steps. If you need a deferral, apply before the examination or a call-up is due. According to the government response, the Federal Office of Personnel Management of the Bundeswehr is the competent authority, including for fine matters.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to complete the questionnaire if I do not want to do military service?
Yes. The page describes returning the form as the obligation, not the service itself. The questionnaire is the declaration of willingness that is required from you. Whether and how a service takes place is governed by other rules, not by this form.
Does the obligation also apply to women?
No. According to the Bundeswehr, participation is voluntary for women. If you wish to take part, ask the competent authority about the procedure, because the page names no further steps.
How much time do I have to return the questionnaire?
According to the Bundeswehr page, you have one month to complete and return it. The reminder procedure afterwards is described in Military service questionnaire: deadline, reminder and what follows.
Is the questionnaire the same as the medical examination?
No. The questionnaire establishes who responds. The examination is the appointment, which according to the Bundeswehr page on the examination includes a medical assessment and a computer test.
Can I still return the questionnaire later?
The Bundeswehr page says that the declaration of willingness can be submitted at any time later. The statutory obligation remains in place. According to the page, anyone who lets the grace period pass must expect administrative offence proceedings.
Who handles queries?
In the government response to printed paper 21/6256, the Federal Office of Personnel Management of the Bundeswehr is named as the competent authority. For queries, use the contact details printed on your covering letter.
What to do now
- Check the covering letter and note the date of receipt and the one-month deadline.
- Complete every section of the questionnaire fully and truthfully.
- Return it within the month. If that is not possible, contact the competent authority in good time instead of staying silent.
- If a reminder arrives, check the new deadline immediately and reply on time.
- Plan for the medical examination when the invitation arrives, and clarify a possible deferral before any deadline runs out.
Related articles
- Military service questionnaire: deadline, reminder and what follows
- Military service questionnaire: fines for non-response and consequences
- Musterung 2026: procedure, duration and what to bring
- Musterung from birth cohort 2008: who has to attend
- Deferral from military service because of studies
- Military service and studies 2026: overview
Sources: Bundeswehr: Questionnaire on the new military service (page status: 19 Dec 2025, in German), Bundeswehr: Assessment and medical examination (page status: 10 Mar 2026, in German), German Bundestag, printed paper 21/6256 (government response, in German).
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
