Voting age

Bundestag elections

All Germans within the meaning of Article 116 (1) of the Basic Law who are at least 18 years of age are entitled to vote in elections to the German Bundestag and are eligible to stand for election to that body. Since 1 January 1975, the entitlement to vote and the right to stand for election have both been linked to the completion of the 18^th year of age. The age at which a person is entitled to vote in and stand for Bundestag elections has been lowered in several steps since 1949. There are no special regulations or applications for people who turn 18 shortly after election day as this provision is based on a key date.

Voting age in the election years
Election year	Age of entitlement to vote (right to vote)	Age of eligibility to stand for election (right to stand for parliament)
Election year	from the completion of the ...
1949 - 1969	21^st year of age	25^th year of age
1972	18^th year of age	21^st year of age
since 1976	18^th year of age	18^th year of age

European Parliament elections

All Germans as defined in Article 116 (1) of the Basic Law and all citizens of the other Member States of the European Union (Union citizens) who have attained the age of sixteen years on election day are entitled to vote. The age at which a person is entitled to vote in for European elections has been lowered the first time for the election in 2024.

The age of eighteen must still be attained on election day in order to be eligible to stand for election.

Voting age in the election years
Election year	Age of entitlement to vote (right to vote)	Age of eligibility to stand for election (right to stand for parliament)
Election year	from the completion of the ...
1979 - 2019	18^th year of age	18^th year of age
from 2024	16^th year of age	18^th year of age

Legal bases

Section 6 (1) no. 1, (3) no. 1 of the European Elections Act (EuWG)

Last update: 13 February 2023