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German conscientious-objection applications exceed three times 2025 total
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Germany recorded 12,102 applications for conscientious objection in the first eight months of 2026, more than three times its total for all of 2025.
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Germany’s federal office received 12,102 applications for conscientious objection to military service from January to August 2026, according to figures reported by BR24. That is more than three times the 3,879 applications filed throughout 2025; the total for 2024 was 2,249. The comparison is between eight months and a full year, and the figures count applications, not people granted conscientious-objector status. [1]
Serving soldiers, reservists and civilians who have never served can all apply. Germany has suspended conscription since 2011. Since January 2026, young people have been contacted shortly after turning 18 about military service; men must complete a questionnaire, while women can choose whether to do so. [1]
An agency spokesperson also said many misdirected applications were being returned unprocessed because their contents could not qualify for recognition, BR24 reported, citing the Funke media group. [1]
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