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 Germans expatriate. They are not automatically entered into a voters’ register. If Germans expatriate wish to participate in Bundestag elections, they have to submit a written application for entry into the voters’ register before each election.

The official forms are not available yet. Therefore, applications cannot be submitted yet.

You will find the application form and instructions for completing it about six months before election day on the website of the Federal Returning Officer.

If you would like to be informed of the exact election date, you may register with the Federal Foreign Office to be on a ‘List of Germans’ and provide an e-mail address: https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de/-krisenvorsorgeliste/387662

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.