Record Participation Expected from Germans Abroad in 2025 Bundestag Election

As the 2025 Bundestag elections approach, there is an unprecedented level of interest among German citizens living abroad. According to the Federal Returning Officer, Ruth Brand, as of February 17, 2025, more than 210,000 Germans residing outside the country have registered to vote, marking a 60% increase compared to the 2021 elections. This figure is expected to rise further before the election day.

The previous election in 2021 saw only approximately 129,000 applications approved for overseas voting, highlighting the significant uptick in participation this year. The registration period for voters ended on February 2, 2025, but there is still a possibility for late applications to be processed if individuals can demonstrate that they missed the deadline without fault.

The Federal Foreign Office estimates that between three to four million Germans living abroad are eligible to vote in this early election. Due to the absence of a mandatory registration system for residents living outside Germany, these numbers remain estimates.

In Belgium, for instance, logistical challenges have emerged due to a postal strike that disrupted the timely delivery of ballot materials. Many voters reported delays in receiving their voting documents, and those wishing to submit their ballots had to deliver them in person to the German Embassy in Brussels. A special transport arrangement was set up to ensure these ballots reached their respective election offices in Germany.

German citizens living abroad, who are not registered as residents in Germany, must take specific steps to participate in the election. To be eligible, they must have lived in Germany for at least three months since turning 14 years old and should not have been absent for more than 25 years. Applications are typically sent to the municipality where the individual last resided in Germany, which is also responsible for sending out the ballot papers.

Voting materials must be returned to the appropriate municipality by 6 PM on election day. Notably, votes cannot be cast directly at embassies or consulates.

As the election date approaches, the growing registration figures highlight the increasing engagement of Germans living abroad in their home country's democratic process. The challenges posed by the logistics of voting from abroad, especially during extraordinary circumstances, continue to underscore the importance of timely communication and efficient systems to facilitate participation in elections.