Bundestag election 2025

Election to the 21st German Bundestag on 28 September 2025

Eine Neuwahl findet im Falle der Auflösung des Deutschen Bundestages innerhalb von sechzig Tagen statt. Gemäß § 16 Bundeswahlgesetz bestimmt der Bundespräsident den Wahltag. Sobald im Falle der Auflösung des Deutschen Bundestages ein neuer Wahltag bekannt gemacht worden ist, werden wir hierüber informieren.

The German Bundestag is the representation of the people of the Federal Republic of Germany and, being vested with decisive legislative authority, its most important body. It is composed of representatives of the German people who are elected for four years in general, direct, free, equal and secret elections.

Election date

The Basic Law specifies the period in which a Bundestag election has to take place (Article 39 para. 1 of the Basic Law).

In accordance with that provision, new elections are held between 46 months (at the earliest) and 48 months (at the latest) after the current electoral term has begun. If the electoral term of the Bundestag is terminated early, there have to be new elections within 60 days after the decision has been taken to dissolve the Bundestag.

The electoral term of the 20th German Bundestag started on 26 October 2021 with its constituent sitting. Consequently, the date of the election will have to be within the period from Wednesday, 27 August 2025 to Sunday, 26 October 2025.

Election day has to be on a Sunday or a public holiday (Section 16 of the Federal Elections Act). As a rule, Bundestag elections should not be conducted during main holiday seasons.

In consultation with the Federal Government, the Federal President has set the election date for Sunday, 28 September 2025 (see order of the Federal President concerning the 2025 Bundestag election of 23 August 2024 (Federal Law Gazette 2024 I, no. 271)).

Irrespective of the election date, elections to the assemblies of party delegates may, at the earliest, be held 29 months after the electoral term of the Bundestag has begun, this would be from 27 March 2024 for this Bundestag election. Candidates may be elected 32 months after the electoral term has started, this means from 27 June 2024 (Section 21 (3), fourth sentence, of the Federal Elections Act).