Hospitals Hope for Reinstatement of Compulsory Service - German hospitals push for return of civilian conscripts to ease staffing crisis
German hospitals have shown strong support for bringing back civilian service roles. A recent survey reveals that nearly all facilities would welcome conscripts again if the programme were reintroduced. The move could create around 13,400 positions across roughly 1,260 hospital sites.
Hospitals overwhelmingly favour a service term of nine to twelve months, with 67% backing this duration. Another 16% prefer a shorter commitment of six to nine months, while 13% suggest extending it beyond a year.
Conscripts would mainly assist in nursing care, patient transport, and escort services. Technical and housekeeping departments were also identified as possible areas for deployment. Most hospitals propose a funding model similar to the current Federal Volunteer Service.
However, financial concerns remain. Many facilities consider it impractical to cover 30% of a potential monthly wage of around €2,600 for each servicemember. With the healthcare sector already under economic strain, compensation must stay within manageable limits.
The survey indicates that 93% of hospitals rate their willingness to reintroduce civilian service as very high or fairly high. If implemented, the programme would restore a significant workforce to support daily operations. Hospitals now await further policy decisions on how the scheme might proceed.
