Germans abroad

Only persons listed in a voters’ register may vote. Germans staying abroad who do not have a registered domicile in Germany are called German expatriates. They are not automatically entered into a voters’ register. If German expatriates wish to participate in Bundestag elections, they have to submit a written application for entry into the voters’ register before each election.

No more applications possible!

Germans living abroad who do not have a permanent place of residence in Germany can no longer apply for entry in the voters’ register. The deadline for application ended on 5 September 2021. Exceptions are made only where it can be proven that the application deadline was missed by the Germans living abroad through no fault of their own (Section 25 (2) no. 1 of the Federal Electoral Regulations).

Only temporarily abroad?

Germans who stay abroad temporarily (for instance while on a longer vacation) and still have a registered domicile in Germany will be entered ex officio into the voters’ register of their municipality. They may exercise their right to vote by postal ballot.

Further information

Can polling stations be set up in the German missions where Germans living abroad may cast their votes without having to file applications beforehand?

A ballot-box poll at the German missions would involve disproportionate effort not only for the missions, which, for example, would have to stock ballot papers for all 299 constituencies in sufficient numbers, but also for German expatriates who are entitled to vote. For most of them it is much easier to cast their votes by postal ballot than at embassies or consulates as they might have to travel long distances to get to these German missions.

In addition, polling would have to end earlier than in Germany or delays be accepted when the provisional election result is established.

Why do I have to register anew for each election?

This is the only way to ensure that current addresses are available for the mailing of postal voting documents. Such documents could only be posted automatically without prior application if the correct foreign addresses of those entitled to vote were known to the German authorities in charge before each election.

German expatriates are not obliged to inform the German authorities about residential moves, births of children, or deaths. Consequently, the population register data are not reliable. Part of the postal ballot documents sent by post may not be received by the addressees when addresses have changed or they may even fall into the wrong hands.

Can I support a nomination?

Germans living abroad may support one constituency nomination and one Land list with their supporting signature subject to the same conditions as persons entitled to vote who live in Germany.

As any other supporter, they must be eligible to vote in the respective constituency or Land. Therefore, to be able to vote in the Bundestag election in the first place, they have to file an application for entry in the voters’ register (Annex 2 of the Federal Electoral Regulations) of the municipality where they had their last registered main residence before moving abroad.

After checking, the municipal authority of that municipality can confirm on the official form for supporting signatures (Annexes 14 and 21 of the Federal Electoral Regulations) that the German living abroad has the right to vote. There are no separate forms for that purpose.