Bundeswehr: how long do you serve? Informative

How long you can do the military service

• First you should know that you can do voluntary service in the Bundeswehr. This is also interesting for many young people, as the federal government is a large employer that offers lucrative employment opportunities.
• If you are interested in the service, you can decide for yourself how long you want to do it. Note that you must be at least 18 years old.
• It is possible to do at least a month of service. However, you can do voluntary service for a maximum of 23 months. In principle, the trial period only lasts 6 months. Afterwards there is the possibility of signing up as a professional soldier for several years.

Interesting facts about voluntary service

• You can do voluntary service in the Bundeswehr in various areas. So it is possible to go to the army, the air force, the navy, the central medical service and the armed forces base.
• Note that you are not entitled to child benefit while doing voluntary service. This does not apply during this time. Instead, however, you receive at least 777 euros and a maximum of 1,146 euros pay. Your pay will be increased every month. In addition, you receive various allowances, such as Christmas bonuses, dismissal allowances and, in addition, dangerous allowances for foreign assignments.


Getting back to work after serving in the Bundeswehr

After the armed forces, it is important to get back to work and in ...

• The Bundeswehr can also deploy you abroad. This is done in the context of peacekeeping and is a very important task. However, it is also possible to only be used in Germany. Many would prefer not to risk going abroad. During the voluntary service you decide for yourself how long and where you will be trained.