Administrative services A-Z

If you are a German citizen living in Germany and wish to vote in the European elections, you must first be entered on the electoral roll. This
either happens automatically ex officio or you have to apply for it.

You will be entered ex officio in the electoral roll if, on the 42nd day before the election,

• are German or German nationals within the meaning of Article 116(1) of the Basic Law,
• are at least 18 years old on election day,
• are not excluded from the right to vote,
• have your main residence or your sole residence in Germany or
  • you are a captain or a crew member of a seagoing vessel
  • are a member of the crew of a seagoing vessel flying the German flag, or
  • as an inland waterway skipper of an inland waterway vessel registered in the German shipping register, or
  • are registered as a member of the relevant household, or
  • are registered at the address of a prison or similar institution in Germany.

You will be included in the electoral roll upon application,
if you are

• are German or German nationals within the meaning of Article 116(1) of the Basic Law,
• are at least 18 years old on election day,
• are not excluded from the right to vote,
• have your usual place of residence in Germany without a home or are in a correctional institution without having been registered ex officio.

Informal application in the original, containing

• surnames,
• the first names,
• date of birth,
• the exact address;
• the application must be signed personally and by hand.

none

You can register as a German national as follows:

• You submit an informal application to the municipality responsible for you.
• The authority decides on the application and sends a notice of election or a refusal.

Application deadline: until the 21st day before the election

Electoral authority of the independent city/municipality/office/association municipality

• § Section 15 of the European Electoral Regulations (EuWO)
• § Section 16 of the European Electoral Regulations (EuWO)
• § Section 17 of the European Electoral Regulations (EuWO)
• § Section 21 of the European Electoral Regulations (EuWO)

• Information on the electoral roll on the website of the Federal Returning Officer

Ministry of the Interior of the State of NRW