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.

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

What is the deadline for filing the application?

The application for entry into the voters’ register must have been received by the municipality in charge on the 21^st day before election (= 5 September 2021) 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)

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.

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.