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Where and how to vote?
Primary method: Voters in Germany are registered automatically by the authorities and usually have to vote at a specific polling station based on their home address. The location of the polling station is indicated on the voter’s notification.
Alternative methods: Voters can apply for a polling card so that they can vote by post or go to another polling station of their administrative district or town (for example, in case their allocated polling station is not accessible).
Online voting is not possible. Voting by proxy is not possible.
Polling day requirements: Voters can prove that they are entitled to vote at a specific polling station by presenting their voter’s notification. Nevertheless, voters should also carry their identity card or passport ready to prove their
identity if requested.
Who can vote?
General. An individual must meet the following requirements to vote in EP elections in Germany:
eligible to vote, and be registered to vote in their home municipality.
Mobile EU citizens. EU citizens must have been living for more than three months in Germany or in another EU country.
Registration requirements.
Nationals. Germans with their primary residence in Germany are automatically registered in the voters’ register.
Germans living abroad are not automatically entered into a voters’ register. If they wish to participate in European elections, they have to submit a formal application for entry into the voters’ register at least 21 days before election day.
Mobile EU citizens. EU citizens voting in a European election for the first time in Germany must apply to be added to the electoral register. Their application must be submitted to the local authority of their German place of residence at least 21 days before election day. As part of the application, EU citizens have to submit a written declaration to confirm they will not vote in their home Member State.
EU citizens wishing to elect EP members from their country of origin but who are listed in a voters’ register in Germany, have to file a written request with the competent municipal authority to be removed from voters’ register at least 21 days before election day. As de-registration will be permanent, Union citizens will have to apply to be registered again if they wish to vote in Germany in any future European election.
Exclusions
German citizens and EU citizens can lose their right to vote in Germany if they have been deprived of the right to vote by a court decision.