The number of applications for conscientious objection is rapidly increasing, driven by escalating tensions between NATO and Russia, and the implementation of new military duties. According to a spokeswoman for the Federal Office for Family and Civil Society (BAFzA), 12,102 applications were received between January and August 2026. For comparison, the Federal Office reported only 3,879 applications in the entire year of 2025, and 2,249 in 2024.
Applicants for conscientious objection are not limited to reservists and active soldiers; individuals who did not complete military service are also submitting such requests, leading to a growing influx at the relevant advisory centers.
The spokesperson for the BAFzA emphasized that despite the suspension of general conscription, the right to refuse military service on conscientious grounds, as stipulated in Article 4 Section 3 of the Basic Law, remains intact. These requests must be submitted in writing to the Federal Office for Defence Personnel Management of the German Armed Forces. After confirming the applicant’s fitness for service during the medical examination (“Musterung”), this office forwards the request to the Federal Office for Family and Civil Society, which makes the final decision.
To complete the application process, applicants must submit several documents, including a short cover letter referencing their fundamental right to conscientious objection under the Basic Law, accompanied by a signature. They must also provide a complete curriculum vitae presented in a tabular format and a detailed, personally written justification outlining the specific reasons for their conscientious decision.
