BRUSSELS

Germany has introduced a significant change to its military service regulations, requiring most men age 17-45 to obtain approval from the military (Bundeswehr) before leaving the country for extended periods, daily Frankfurter Rundschau reported on Saturday.

The measure is part of broader reforms under the Military Service Modernization Act, which came into effect earlier this year.

The law also reinstates military registration, including mandatory medical exams, as part of efforts to expand the size of the German armed forces from around 184,000 to between 255,000 and 270,000 by 2035.

While the full mandatory registration process for men born in 2008 and later will be phased in at a later date, the new travel approval requirement is already in force.

According to a revised clause, men who want to leave Germany for more than three months must secure authorization from the relevant Bundeswehr unit.

This requirement also applies to those who wish to extend previously approved stays abroad or lengthen unapproved stays beyond three months.

Officials say the rule is intended to ensure proper tracking of men liable for military service and strengthen Germany's defense preparedness amid heightened security concerns amid the war in Ukraine.

The change has raised concerns among civil liberties advocates, who argue that it imposes an unprecedented restriction on freedom of movement for a large segment of the population.