Local elections: Enter EU citizens in the voters' register

Ex officio registration:

All eligible voters who are registered in the municipality on the 35th day before the election (cut-off date) for one dwelling, in the case of several dwellings for the main residence, are entered in the voters' register.

Registration on request:

An application for entry in the voters' register may be necessary before the election due to changes in registration law. This may be the case if a voter who is already entered in a voters' register moves his home and registers with the registration authority of the new place of residence. Upon registration, he will be informed of the need to apply for entry on the electoral roll.

In addition, nationals of other Member States of the European Union who are exempt from the obligation to register and are therefore not officially entered in the voters' register can apply for registration up to 12 noon on the 37th day before the election. No later than the 62nd day before the election, the responsible returning officer shall issue a public announcement inviting these voters to apply for entry in the voters' register.

Anyone entitled to vote pursuant to § 1 of the Municipal Elections Act (KWG) is entered in the voters' register.

All Germans within the meaning of Article 116(1) of the Basic Law and all nationals of other Member States of the European Union who vote on the day of voting

1. have reached the age of 18,
2. have had one dwelling in the municipality for at least three months, and their main residence in the case of several dwellings, and
3. are not excluded from the right to vote pursuant to § 2.

With the application for entry in the voters' register, citizens of other Member States of the European Union who are not obliged to register but are entitled to vote must affirm their nationality in lieu of oath and since when they have had a dwelling in the municipality, or their main residence in the case of several dwellings.

Proof of nationality can also be provided by presenting a valid passport or passport substitute.

Two deadlines can be distinguished:

If an application for entry in the voters' register is required due to a registration process, the application must be submitted in writing to the competent municipal authority no later than 21 days before the election.

Citizens of other Member States of the European Union entitled to vote must apply for registration by 12 noon 37 days before the election.