The Bundeswehr is recording a record influx of people seeking to join the German armed forces. According to the German Ministry of Defense, the number of applications for military service increased sharply in the first months of 2026, continuing a positive trend that began in 2025.
According to official data as of the end of February 2026:
In January-February 2026, more than 26,000 applications for military service were received—an increase of 16-23% compared to the same period in 2025.
In January 2026, approximately 4,400 new military personnel were accepted, a 17% increase compared to the previous year.
The total number of active personnel in the Bundeswehr reached approximately 186,400—a 13-year high.
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has repeatedly emphasized: “We see a sustained and very high interest in serving in the Bundeswehr. This trend must be maintained in order to achieve the target of 260,000 active personnel and approximately 200,000 reservists in the next decade.”
Despite these successes, challenges remain approximately 20% of recruits leave the service before completing training, and the target numbers for the 2030s remain ambitious. Nevertheless, current recruitment trends provide grounds for optimism.