The Ministry of Defense intends to significantly relax the reporting requirement for men aged between 18 and 45 who travel abroad for more than three months. According to a Ministry spokesperson speaking to the dts news agency on Monday, a draft committee report amending the Conscription Act is already in progress. This amendment would restrict the relevant regulation exclusively to the state of tension or a state of defense.
The move follows a report commissioned by the Green Left party, conducted by the Bundestag’s Scientific Service, which suggested that the administrative regulation-which had already temporarily suspended this reporting duty-was unlawful.
The spokesperson acknowledged that the Ministry is internally evaluating this matter. However, she added that safeguards have already been put in place via the planned legislative changes. During the transition period, the allegedly illegal general order will remain in effect. Therefore, the Ministry confirmed that currently, men do not need to obtain permission for stays abroad.
