She was laid down in December 2001 by Howaldtswerke, Kiel, launched in July 2006 and commissioned on 3 May 2007. She is under the patronage of the Bavarian town of Starnberg.
U-34 is currently part of the 1st Ubootgeschwader, based in Eckernförde. She sailed from Eckernförde on 22 January 2009, bound for the Mediterranean to participate in the anti-terrorism mission Operation Active Endeavour. She was again deployed with Operation Active Endeavour in the south-eastern Mediterranean in May 2011. During this time she trialled the multi-crew concept, with three crews taking turns manning the submarine until her return to port on 11 December 2011. This was deemed a success, with the sailors' time commitment and the downtime of the boat significantly reduced.[1]
On 25 May 2015 U-34 left Eckernförde and arrived at Tallinn on 30 May to join Standing NATO Maritime Group 2, taking part in exercises in the Baltic Sea as the group's 'Silent Partner'.[2] In September she took part in multinational CASEX exercises in the Baltic, with surface ships of the German, Polish and Swedish navies.[3] In October U-34 took part in Grüner Aal (Green Eel) manoeuvres, a series of torpedo training exercises with the Royal Norwegian Navy.[4] On 30 March 2016 U-34 deployed from Eckernförde to the coast of Scotland, joining Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 and taking part in Exercise Joint Warrior, returning to her homeport in May.[5]