According to the Ministry of Defense, young men who fail to complete the mandatory questionnaire regarding the new military service requirements for the Bundeswehr could face a fine of 250 Euros. However, such a penalty would only be imposed if these young men repeatedly missed deadlines and ignored explicit reminders to fill out the online form. While a fine of up to 1,000 Euros was initially possible, the ministry has opted for a significantly lower penalty.
The response rate five months after the questionnaire process began appears quite successful. The ministry reported that 86 percent of the approximately 106,000 men who were contacted completed the questionnaire within the initial four-week deadline. An additional five percent responded after receiving a first reminder, providing information on their fitness and interest in volunteering for the Bundeswehr.
With an overall answer rate of 91 percent, the ministry expressed satisfaction. Nevertheless, efforts will continue to encourage the remaining men to complete the forms through various reminders. Imposing a fine is considered the last resort if all reminders prove ineffective. It is important to note that completing the online questionnaire is mandatory for men, but remains voluntary for women.
