The Pentagon announced on Friday (May 1) that it would withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany, drawing global attention once again to the U.S. military deployment across Europe. NATO on Saturday stated it would cooperate with the United States to understand the details of the Pentagon’s decision to reduce military deployment.
This decision marks the Trump administration’s clearest statement to date on reducing military presence in Europe. The Pentagon had previously stated that the long-term goal is for Europe to take the lead in its own conventional defense and gradually reduce the number of U.S. troops stationed in Europe.
On Saturday (May 2), NATO spokesperson Allison Hart responded to the U.S. decision to reduce troops in Germany on social media platform X. “We are working with the United States to understand their specific decisions regarding troop adjustments in Germany,” Hart said. “This adjustment highlights the need for Europe to continue increasing defense investments and taking on greater responsibility in shared security affairs—since agreeing at last year’s NATO summit in The Hague to allocate 5% of GDP towards defense, we have seen some progress. As Europe continues to strengthen within the NATO framework, we remain confident in maintaining our deterrence and defense capabilities.”
Here are the current U.S. military deployments in Europe summarized by Reuters:
According to data from the Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC), as of December 2025, the U.S. has approximately 68,000 active-duty military personnel stationed at overseas bases in Europe. This number does not include rotational deployments and troops participating in exercise missions.
A U.S. Congressional report indicated that as of March 2024, U.S. military presence in Europe is spread across 31 permanent bases and an additional 19 military sites usable by U.S. forces.
The U.S. European Command is responsible for U.S. military operations in Europe and collaborates with NATO allies through six subordinate commands representing the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Special Operations Forces, and the newly established Space Force.
These subordinate units are headquartered in Germany and Italy, primarily responsible for crisis response and security cooperation in Europe and Africa.
U.S. troops are stationed in over a dozen European countries, with the highest numbers in Germany, Italy, and the UK. The following are some of the largest military installations:
Germany:
The largest U.S. base in Europe is located near Ramstein in Germany. The U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria in Grafenwoehr in southern Germany is the primary training center for European stationed forces. According to DMDC data, as of December 2025, there were a total of 36,436 active-duty military personnel stationed in Germany, divided into five garrisons.
Italy:
Since the end of World War II, Italy has hosted U.S. military personnel from the Army, Navy, and Air Force. DMDC data shows that as of the end of 2025, there were a total of 12,662 active-duty U.S. military personnel stationed at bases in Vicenza, Aviano, Naples, and Sicily.
United Kingdom:
As of December last year, there were a total of 10,156 U.S. troops stationed in the UK at three bases, primarily for Air Force personnel.
Spain:
The U.S. has Navy and Air Force bases near the Strait of Gibraltar in Spain. According to DMDC data, as of December 2025, there were a total of 3,814 U.S. military personnel stationed in Spain.
Poland:
Data from DMDC and the Congressional Research Service shows that Poland hosts 369 U.S. active-duty military personnel and approximately 10,000 U.S. troops deployed through the European Deterrence Initiative (EDI) rotational deployment at four bases.
Romania:
Similar to Poland and other former communist bloc countries, Romania hosts 153 permanently stationed U.S. military personnel and rotational deployment forces. Bases available for U.S. forces include Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, Campia Turzii, and Deveselu.
Hungary:
The U.S. conducts rotational deployments and exercise missions in Hungary. DMDC data shows that as of December last year, 77 U.S. military personnel were stationed in Hungary at Kecskemet Base and Papa Air Base.