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The German government quietly passed a law in January that prevents men of fighting age from leaving the country for more than three months without official approval.
The provision is part of an updated military-service law and went largely unnoticed until a local newspaper report last Friday.
A spokesman from Germany’s defense ministry attempt to quell fears about the provision in an emailed statement.
“In the case of an emergency, we must know who may be residing abroad for an extended period,” he said.
Military service in Germany remains voluntary at present.
The military-service law was passed last year to boost military numbers as fears grow over tensions with Russia and future US commitments to European defense.
Many politicians in Europe are now of the view that European nations must reduce their reliance on American military support.
Germany wants to increase the number of active soldiers by almost 80,000 in 2035, from 183,000 to 260,000.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said the country must be ready to defend itself as soon as possible.
