Who can choose in the 2025 federal election? – Age, passport and residence

This time, almost 60 million people are allowed in the federal election – according to the Federal Statistical Office, at least 59.2 million Germans are expected to be eligible.

Basically, all people who own German citizenship and are of legal age are entitled to vote. For Germans who live in Germany, the whole thing is relatively simple: they are in the electoral register and also automatically receive an election notification.

Which party suits me? The election machine for the Bundestag election 2025 can serve as a decision -making aid.

Voters must be at least 18 years old on election day. So if you celebrate your 18th birthday on February 23, 2025, you can decide on the next Bundestag. Incidentally, the European elections last year had a different age limit – there was already a vote from the age of 16.

In our every day you will find current news about the early new elections.

Of course, they can also choose, but the whole thing is a little more complex. Because they have to be entered in the electoral register before the federal election.

And here it is important to adhere to a deadline: this ends, the federal election manager points out on February 2. You have to apply for the entry at the home community, where you were last registered in Germany.

This rule applies to – almost – all Germans who are no longer resident in the Federal Republic, i.e. live in a different state in the long run. It can be more complicated if you have not lived in Germany for several decades.

Because, according to the rule, all adult Germans are entitled to register, who used to live in Germany at least three months. However, this must not be more than 25 years ago. Then you have to demonstrate a “personal and immediate familiarity with the political conditions in the Federal Republic of Germany”. This is only possible through applications that are transmitted in the original by post.

Important to know: In any case, you have to be entered in the electoral register in order to be able to choose in the Bundestag election on February 23. People who live abroad and have been registered for an earlier choice in the electoral register must therefore be re -entered for the upcoming Bundestag election.

The application form is available and can be downloaded there. The handwritten applications must be sent to the responsible municipal authority by post or by fax or email on time.

But: If you only live temporarily abroad, but are registered in Germany, you are already listed in the electoral register. The postal voting documents should nevertheless be applied for as early as possible – so that you can also choose in the Bundestag election and the votes arrive in good time.

Sources: with agencies (dpa, afp),