Voting is widely considered a civic duty and the bedrock of democracy. From the moment we reached voting age, many are instilled with the sense that it’s the responsibility of a moral citizen to use that ballot. No matter how inconsequential an election may seem.
However voter apathy, it appears that fatigue, confusion, and a feeling of powerlessness has led to fewer and fewer voters turning up to make their decision. In the face of futility, this is simultaneously unsurprising and disappointing. It’s understandable that this has been happening. Yet as per Dan Tiwari’s op-ed published in the Daily Orange last November, “The right to cast a vote is a privilege that should not be taken for granted.”
One of the most powerful tools in one’s arsenal to empower is education. In my own experience as an expat in Berlin, the complex bureaucracy can culminate in a dispirited surrender to the system. You can end up so befuddled by the criss-cross of information that your own rights and entitlements feel uneasy and opaque. Knowing and truly understanding what you are entitled to can be a gateway towards liberation. In the example of voters’ rights, such understanding can allow for democracy to be confidently engaged with with less fatigue and uncertainty.
Let’s have a look at your rights as a voter in Germany and the E.U.
Germany’s Electoral System
Simply put, the German Basic Law (the Grundgesetzt) states that representatives must be elected through general, direct, free, equal and secret elections. This means that all citizens have the right to vote, regardless of their sex or income. Article 20 of the document asserts that Germany is a state of law and democracy.
Every four years, parties stand in the general elections to the Bundestag, the German federal parliament, which forms the legislative branch of government on federal level alongside the Bundesrat.
Elections to the Bundestag are performed in what is referred to as “proportionally representative” manner. Citizens cast a vote first for the candidate in their constituency and a second vote for the party’s state list. Essentially, this is to make sure that each group of voters gets a fair share of seats in the government.
German federal elections can only be voted in by individuals with German citizenship. Citizenship is generally acquired by descent. As of January 2024 the rules of granting citizenship were eased, with the hope it would attract more skilled workers to the country. This allows international residents to apply for citizenship after five years, or in unique circumstances three. This meant that the federal elections in February 2025 saw around 14% of Germany’s adult population – those living in Germany but who are not citizens – were excluded from the vote.
It is possible for German citizens living abroad to cast their vote, but you must be listed in the voters’ register. A postal ballot scheme is made available for Germans who are temporarily abroad during voting—but make sure to fill it out at least three weeks in advance.
Due to Germany’s system of compulsory residence registration, every German citizen is automatically registered to vote in federal elections. Before an election, voters typically receive a reminder in advance to present to their designated polling station, alongside a valid photo ID. This means you don’t have to rush out to register—everything you need to vote should be in your possession by the time the voting day rolls around.
Can non-German residents vote in Germany?
Non-German citizens who are EU residents are able to vote in local elections and European Parliament Elections. It’s currently not possible for non-EU citizens to vote in any elections held in Germany.
EU Citizens who are at least 16 (or 18, depending on the election) years old and officially registered as a citizen in Germany are eligible to vote for their local councils or for European Parliament elections.
If you are registered at least 42 days before an election date, you are automatically registered on the voters’ register of your municipality of residence, and should receive a notification of the upcoming ballot at latest by the 21st day prior to the election.
EU citizens entitled to vote in Germany can make a choice as to whether they vote in Germany or their home country. If it is their first time voting in a European Parliament election in Germany, they must apply to be in their electoral roll via this application form. They will then be automatically registered for future elections.
European Parliament Elections
The European Parliament Elections take place every five years, the most recent of which took place in June 2024, and the next scheduled for 2029. The parliament consists of directly-voted members by the people of the EU to represent their interests. The EU Parliament functions as a legislative body for the EU, and exists to promote equality for all.
Berlin Local (Municipal) Elections
All Berlin residents over the age of 16 who hold an EU citizenship, have been registered as a resident in Berlin for three months, and have registered to vote six weeks prior to the election are eligible.
As with German residents, once registered as a resident, you are automatically included in the electoral roll and will receive a voting notification by mail a couple of weeks prior to the election
Voters must bring their voting notification and a valid photo ID to present at the polling station
Berlin is divided into twelve districts, with each district having its own local government and its own district council. Berlin residents periodically vote for council members during the local elections. These districts are administrative units that primarily take responsibility for local borough issues, such as urban planning, youth services, green spaces, culture, and traffic. While the local districts do not have the same autonomy as the Berlin Senate, they operate to address day-to-day issues. As such play a really important role in community lifestyles.
Conclusion
No matter where you are, it’s important to know your rights, so you can exercise your voice and help make changes. It’s also important to ensure that the people around you know their civic duty and feel confident in stepping into that role. As an expat, while you may not feel like you belong entirely to a city or country, the act of engaging in improving the area can help you to tether yourself to its development.
The phrase “every vote counts” may sound contrived, but it is a fundamental truth. Showing up to cast a vote—even if the result is not what you wanted—is a key part of the journey towards improving lives and society at large.
To take a more granular look at voting rights in Germany and the EU, you can find further information on the European Union website and Deutscher Bundestag.
Each district of Berlin has its own website which expands on their governance and current initiatives, and include the profile of their elected officials: Mitte, Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg, Pankow, Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf, Spandau, Steglitz-Zehlendorf, Tempelhof-Schöneberg, Neukölln, Treptow-Köpenick, Marzahn-Hellersdorf, Lichtenburg, and Reickendorf.
