Eligible persons for the European elections

  • Short text

    • European elections: determination of eligibility to stand for election
    • Prerequisites:
      • German or EU citizenship on polling day
      • at least 18 years old
      • as a citizen of a Member State of the European Union who is resident in Germany or has their habitual residence in Germany
    • German nationals are ineligible to stand for election if:
      • excluded from the right to vote or
      • is ineligible to stand for election by virtue of a court ruling, or is not qualified to hold public office,
    • Citizens of the Union are not eligible for election if:
      • excluded from the right to vote in Germany, or
      • excluded from the right to vote in their country of origin, or
      • in Germany, is not eligible to stand for election or to hold public office by virtue of a court ruling, or
      • the right to stand for election was lost in the country of origin as a result of a civil or criminal court ruling
    • Competent authorities: courts, country of origin, mayor

  • Full text

    Under certain conditions, you may stand as a candidate in the European elections. To do so, you must first be eligible to stand for election.

    If you hold German nationality, you are eligible for election provided you still hold German nationality on polling day. You must also be of legal age on polling day. However, you are not eligible to stand for election if, as a result of a court ruling, you have lost your right to vote or your eligibility to stand for election, or if you are barred from holding public office.

    If you are a citizen of the European Union, you are eligible for election if you have a home or your habitual residence in Germany. You must also be a national of a Member State of the European Union on polling day and be at least 18 years old. You will, however, lose your eligibility to stand for election if you have been disqualified from the right to vote in Germany or your country of origin, or if your eligibility to stand for election has been revoked by a court ruling. You are also ineligible to stand for election if, as a result of a court ruling, you are prohibited from holding public office in Germany.

  • Legal basis(s)

  • Required documents

    where applicable, an identity card or foreign identity document

  • Prerequisites

    You are eligible to stand for election if

    • you are a national of Germany or of a Member State of the European Union and
    • have reached the age of 18.

    Furthermore, you must not be disqualified from voting.

  • Costs (fees, expenses, etc.)

    none

  • Procedure

    Their eligibility to stand for election is recorded in the official register of residents.


    If this is not the case and you believe you are nevertheless eligible for election, please contact the relevant local authority.

  • Processing time

    depending on the individual case

  • Further information

  • Author

    Forwarding service: Deep link to the source portal Forwarding service: Deep link to the source portal

  • Responsible office

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


Responsible departments

Responsible employees