As a citizen of the European Union, you will be entered in your municipality’s voter registry for local elections under the same conditions as German citizens.

Before each election, your municipal or city administration compiles an electoral roll for each voting district. This list includes all eligible voters, along with their last name, first name, date of birth, and address.

The voter registry ensures that the election proceeds properly. It guarantees that only eligible voters cast ballots and that each person votes only once.

The voter registry includes all persons who 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,

1. have reached the age of 18,
2. have had a residence in the municipality for at least three months—or, if they have multiple residences, their primary residence—and
3. are not disqualified from voting.

Registration by Official Action:

All EU citizens eligible to vote who are registered in the municipality on the 42nd day before the election—for a single residence, or for their primary residence if they have multiple residences—are entered into the voter registry.

Registration upon application:

An application for registration on the voter registry may be necessary due to changes in your registration 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 rolls 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 rolls.

Furthermore, as EU citizens eligible to vote who are exempt from the obligation to register their residence—and are therefore not automatically entered into the voter registry—you may apply for registration with the municipal or city administration by 12:00 p.m. on the 37th day before the election. No later than 62 days before the election, the responsible election officer will issue a public notice urging you to apply for inclusion in the voter registry.

If the municipal or city administration rejects your application for registration on the voter roll, you will be notified immediately. You may file an appeal against this decision. The responsible authority will inform you of this option.

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.

Immediately

Responsibility lies with the municipal or city administration.

As EU citizens who are not required to register but are eligible to vote, you must, when applying for inclusion on the voter registry, declare your nationality and state when you first established a residence in the municipality—or, if you have multiple residences, which one is your primary residence.

You can also provide proof of your nationality by presenting a valid passport or passport substitute.

• Fee: Free of charge

If you are an eligible EU citizen who is not required to register your residence and wish to apply for inclusion on the voter registry, you must use Appendix 1a to the KWO.