Germany suspends controversial travel permission rule for men

German Ministry of Defence has temporarily suspended the requirement for Bundeswehr approval for long-term travel abroad for men aged 17 to 45, Die Welt reports.

The report states that the relevant provision will be formalised in a general directive published in the Federal Gazette, as well as in an internal administrative regulation.

At the same time, the government emphasised that the measure could be reinstated if the security situation deteriorates and compulsory military service is introduced. The Ministry of Defence has already put legal mechanisms in place for such a scenario.

Earlier, as part of military service reforms that came into force at the beginning of the year, the requirement for permission for extended stays abroad of three months or more had been discussed. However, the Defence Ministry later clarified that this measure would only apply if mandatory service is introduced.

At present, the obligation to notify authorities of a change of residence applies only to reservists who may be subject to conscription.

By Vafa Guliyeva