According to Germany's new Military Service Modernization Act, which came into force on January 1, 2026, men aged between 17 and 45 who are eligible for military service will need to seek approval for trips abroad that last longer than three months.
The purpose of the law is to ensure the Bundeswehr, the armed forces of Germany, is prepared for the future in terms of personnel and organization.
A spokesman for Germany’s Federal Ministry of Defense also stated that as long as military service remains voluntary, the approval to travel abroad is granted in principle.
Indeed, as conflicts rage on around the world and new ones begin seemingly every day, it's unsurprising that some countries make defense a priority. Depending on the geopolitical location of a nation, they might want to make sure their population has basic military skills. Whether it's because they are situated next to a bigger, more hostile neighbor, or because their government sees military identity as an important aspect of citizenship, in this gallery we take a look at the countries where serving in the military is still a normal part of life.
Curious? Click on to discover the countries that still have military service.