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 21 January 2024. 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.

Eligibility to vote

Am I entitled to vote?

Adult Germans permanently living abroad who are not disqualified from voting are entitled to go to the polls if,

after reaching the age of 14 (which means from their 14^th birthday), they were either resident in the Federal Republic of Germany for an uninterrupted period of at least three months and this stay dates back not more than 25 years

or,

for other reasons, they have become familiar, personally and directly, with the political situation in the Federal Republic of Germany and are affected by it.

Legal bases

Article 116 of the Basic Law (GG)
Sections 12, 13 of the Federal Elections Act (BWG)

Have I “become familiar, personally and directly, with the political situation” and does it “affect me”?

You must have become “familiar” personally “with the political situation” in the Federal Republic of Germany directly and because of what you have experienced. Passively participating in communication, for instance by consuming German-language media abroad, does not suffice.

Your being “affected by the political situation” may result from the fact that you are currently subject to German sovereignty, but it is not restricted to that.

Examples in support of an eligibility (in German only)

Who decides whether I am eligible to vote?

This decision is taken by the municipality in charge. An objection to this decision may be lodged in writing with the municipal authority or it may be dictated. A complaint about the decision then taken may be lodged with the constituency returning officer.

Legal bases

Sections 16 (8), 22 (2), 4 and 5 of the Federal Electoral Regulations (BWO)

Requirements for being entered in the voters’ register

Where do I get the application form?

Application form

Application for entry in the voters’ register for Germans living abroad

(PDF formular)

Printed application forms are available from the diplomatic and full-time consular missions of the Federal Republic of Germany abroad, from the constituency returning officers in the Federal Republic of Germany and from the

Bundeswahlleiter (Federal Returning Officer)
Statistisches Bundesamt
Zweigstelle Bonn
Postfach 17 03 77
53029 Bonn
Germany

and can be ordered from the Office of the Federal Returning Officer using the contact form.

Legal basis

Section 88 (3) of the Federal Electoral Regulations (BWO)

What is the deadline for filing the application?

The application for entry into the voters’ register must have been received by the the authority in charge the “Bezirksamt” on the 21^st day before election (= 21 January 2024) at the latest. This period cannot be extended.

Legal basis

Section 18 (1) of the Federal Electoral Regulations (BWO)

Will I be notified once my application has been received?

Usually, the municipalities do not confirm receipt of the application by post. Your application for entry into the voters’ register also is an application for a polling card to be issued. You will automatically receive the postal ballot documents together with the polling card.

Legal basis

Section 28 (3) of the Federal Electoral Regulations (BWO)

Using the courier service

Further information

When can I expect to receive the postal ballot documents?

Only when the nominations have finally been approved and the ballot papers printed can the postal voting documents be handed over or posted. This can be done about six weeks before the election at the earliest. It is therefore important to file the application early enough, that is about six weeks before the election, with the respective municipal authority.

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.