Where the U.S. Military Presence Is Concentrated in Europe

The United States said on May 1, 2026, that it plans to withdraw around 5,000 troops from Germany, a move that has raised fresh questions about Washington’s long-term military posture in Europe and its commitment to NATO’s eastern flank. The announcement, reported by AP News, comes amid ongoing debates over burden-sharing and strategic priorities within the alliance.

As our chart shows, Germany remains by far the largest hub of U.S. military personnel in Europe, hosting more than 35,000 active-duty troops as of December 2025. Beyond its size, the country plays a central logistical role, serving as a key transit and command hub for U.S. operations in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Italy, the second-largest location with more than 12,000 personnel, the United Kingdom, with just over 10,000 troops, and Spain (nearly 4,000) also serve as important gateways for projecting U.S. power south and east, thanks to their air and naval bases. Meanwhile, countries closer to NATO’s eastern flank, such as Poland (369) and Romania (153), host comparatively limited permanent troop contingents.

Overall, the distribution shows how U.S. permanent military presence in Europe is concentrated in Western and Southern Europe, even as security concerns have increasingly shifted eastward in recent years. The planned drawdown in Germany could therefore mark a notable adjustment, though not a fundamental overhaul, of America’s longstanding footprint on the continent.