If you are a citizen of the European Union, you will be entered in your municipality’s voter registry under the same conditions as German citizens for a mayoral election.
Before each election, your municipal or city administration compiles a voter registry for each voting district. This registry lists all eligible voters by last name, first name, date of birth, and residential address.
The voter registry ensures that only eligible voters participate in the election and that each person casts only one vote.
You will be entered into the voter registry if you are eligible to vote and are not barred from voting.
All Germans as defined by the Basic Law and all nationals of other member states of the European Union who, on the day of voting,
- have reached the age of 18,
- have had a residence in the municipality for at least three months—or, if they have multiple residences, their primary residence—and
- are not barred from voting.
Registration by the authorities:
All EU citizens eligible to vote who are registered in the municipality as of the 42nd day before the election—for a single residence, or for their primary residence if they have multiple residences—are entered in the voter registry.
Registration upon request:
An application for registration on the voter registry may be necessary due to changes in your registered residence status prior to the election. This may be the case if you, as an eligible EU citizen who is already registered on a voter registry, move to a new residence and register with the registration office at your new place of residence. Provided you are eligible to vote in the municipality of your new place of residence, you may submit an application for registration on the voter registry of the new municipality. When you register with the registration office, you will be informed of the need to apply for registration on the voter registry.
Furthermore, as eligible EU citizens who are exempt from the obligation to register and are therefore not automatically entered into the voter registry, you may apply for registration with the municipal or city administration no later than 12:00 p.m. on the 37th day before the election. The responsible election officer will issue a public notice no later than 62 days before the election, urging you to apply for inclusion on the voter registry.
There are two different deadlines to keep in mind:
If you need to apply for inclusion on the voter registration list due to a change in your registered address, you must submit this application in writing no later than the 21st day before the election.
As EU citizens eligible to vote, you must apply for registration by 12:00 p.m. on the 37th day before the election.
