Germany sees sharp rise in conscientious objection applications

Germany has seen a sharp increase in the number of people applying for conscientious objector status in recent months, according to the Federal Office for Family Affairs and Civil Society.

The agency said during the first half of 2026, a total of 5,862 applications were submitted, exceeding the 3,867 applications recorded for the whole of 2025, Caliber.Az reports, citing German media.

"In Germany, significantly more people have recently applied for conscientious objection to military service," the publication wrote in a report released on July 14.

The increase comes amid heightened security concerns and the implementation of Germany's new military service law, which entered into force on January 1.

Under the legislation, Berlin aims to expand the armed forces from 186,000 to 260,000 personnel voluntarily.

According to the report, if those recruitment targets are not met, Germany's ruling coalition of the CDU/CSU and SPD has left open the possibility of reintroducing compulsory military service.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov