Wehrpflicht

Wehrpflicht is the term used in German-speaking countries for mandatory military service or compulsory service in times of national need. It encompasses obligations to serve in the armed forces as well as, where available, alternative civilian service for those who refuse military duty on conscience grounds. The concept has a long history in Europe, with various periods of universal conscription and exemptions.

In the German states, Wehrpflicht became a central element of national defense in the 19th and 20th centuries. It was established in different forms under the German Empire, continued in the Weimar Republic, and was expanded under Nazi rule. After World War II, West and East Germany maintained conscription as part of their respective armed forces, though with different political and military contexts. In West Germany, conscription was reintroduced in 1956 for the Bundeswehr, and a system of alternative civilian service existed for conscientious objectors.

Germany ended compulsory military service in 2011, transitioning to a predominantly volunteer military. The last conscripts completed their service that year, and since then the Bundeswehr has relied on volunteers, with other forms of national service being voluntary rather than mandatory.

In other German-speaking regions, such as Austria and Switzerland, conscription remains a legal framework as of the early 21st century. Austria maintains mandatory service for male citizens with possible civilian alternatives, while Switzerland retains universal conscription with obligations for male citizens and voluntary participation by others. The topic remains subject to political and social debate, balancing citizenship, security needs, individual rights, and opportunity costs.