The federal president election 2027 takes place on Saturday, 30 January 2027, in the German Bundestag. The head of state is not elected directly by the people. The Federal Convention (Bundesversammlung), a body that meets only for this purpose, makes the choice. Anyone who knows the procedure can see quickly who takes part and which majorities are required. For the wider calendar of elections, see Elections 2027: All Dates at a Glance and What You Need to Know.
Short answer: On 30 January 2027, the Federal Convention elects the next Federal President. It consists of all 630 members of the Bundestag and an equal number of members elected by the state parliaments. A candidate is elected when they receive the majority of the members. Last updated: November 2026.
The most important points at a glance
- The date is fixed: the Federal Convention meets on 30 January 2027 in the Bundestag.
- The Federal Convention consists of all Bundestag members and an equal number of members elected by the state parliaments (Landtage).
- The vote takes place without debate. The term of office is five years, and immediate re-election is possible only once.
- In the first and second ballots, a majority of the members is required. In the third ballot, the highest number of votes is enough.
- Which people stand for election is not officially confirmed as of this guide. The rules of the procedure are what this guide covers.
Who belongs to the Federal Convention?
According to the Bundestag, the Federal Convention consists of all 630 Bundestag members and an equal number of members elected by the state parliaments. Together that makes 1,260 members. The number of state representatives follows the population of each Land. These members must be elected by the state parliaments under proportional representation. Membership of a state parliament is not required, so the Landtage may also elect people who do not sit in them.
| Group | Who belongs to it | How members are chosen |
|---|---|---|
| Bundestag members | All members of the Bundestag | Elected to the Bundestag |
| State representatives | As many as Bundestag members, distributed by population across the Länder | Elected by the state parliaments under proportional representation |
In practice, the Federal Convention is not a body that emerges directly from the electorate. Its composition depends on the parliamentary elections at federal and state level. Anyone who wants to understand the 2027 body needs to look at the results of those parliaments, not only at the list of candidates.
How does the vote proceed?
The procedure follows a fixed sequence set out in the Basic Law (Grundgesetz). The order of the ballots determines how many votes are needed at each step.
- Convocation: the President of the Bundestag convenes the Federal Convention. It meets no later than 30 days before the end of the term of office.
- First ballot: a candidate is elected if they receive the majority of the members of the Federal Convention. The vote takes place without debate.
- Second ballot: if the majority is not reached in the first ballot, a second ballot takes place, again requiring a majority of the members.
- Third ballot: if no majority is reached in two ballots, the candidate with the most votes is elected.
How many votes does a majority need?
A simple calculation makes the difference clear. Assumption: the Federal Convention has 1,260 members. A majority of the members then means more than half, that is 631 votes. If nobody reaches this number in the first or second ballot, the highest number of votes is enough in the third ballot, even if it falls below 631. The majority is therefore measured against the number of members and not against the number of votes cast.
This distinction matters in close results. A candidate who wins a clear majority of the votes cast in the first ballot may still fall short of the majority of members. Anyone following the procedure should therefore look beyond the headline vote count and check the number of members.
Which rules apply to office and term?
The central rules on eligibility and the term of office appear directly in the Basic Law. The table summarises them so that you can find them quickly.
| Rule | Content | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Term of office | Five years | Art. 54 Basic Law (GG) |
| Re-election | Immediate re-election is possible only once | Art. 54 GG |
| Eligibility | Right to vote for the Bundestag and age of 40 completed | Art. 54 GG |
| Meeting | No later than 30 days before the end of the term | Art. 54 GG |
The office is mainly representative. The head of state is not elected by the people and does not lead the government. The federal government depends on the confidence of the Bundestag, while the President represents the Federal Republic at home and abroad.
Why do the people not vote directly?
The Basic Law provides that the Federal Convention elects the head of state. A direct election would therefore require a change to the Basic Law. This question is debated from time to time. Anyone who argues for or against it should know the reasons on both sides before taking a position. The question is not decided by the 2027 election, but only through a constitutional amendment.
What does this mean for students and first-time voters?
You do not have a vote in the presidential election itself. You can still take part indirectly. Those who vote in parliamentary elections shape the composition of the bodies that send members to the Federal Convention. First-time voters in 2027 should therefore take the parliamentary elections seriously. The official calendar, not this text, sets out which election takes place when. For how your own vote works, see the guide on first and second votes.
Frequently asked questions
Who may become Federal President?
Under Article 54 of the Basic Law, a person is eligible if they hold the right to vote for the Bundestag and have completed their 40th year. These are the formal requirements in the constitutional text. Whether someone stands is a political decision made in advance. As of this guide, no official confirmation of a candidacy is available.
How long is the term of office?
The term of office is five years. Immediate re-election is possible only once. After two consecutive terms, an immediate third election is therefore excluded.
What happens if the first ballot produces no result?
A second ballot follows, which again requires a majority of the members. If that ballot also produces no result, the highest number of votes decides in the third ballot. This rule is set out in the Basic Law and applies however narrow the result is.
Does the head of state influence the government?
The office has mainly a representative function. The Bundestag elects the Chancellor, not the head of state. The basis of the office’s position is set out in the Basic Law, and the Bundestag publishes its own overview of the subject.
What to do next
- Put 30 January 2027 in your calendar so that you can follow the Federal Convention.
- Read Article 54 of the Basic Law and compare its wording with this guide, especially the majorities and ballots.
- Find out about the parliamentary elections in your constituency, because they shape who later sits in the Federal Convention.
Related reading
- Elections 2027: all dates at a glance
- How a law is made, from draft to Federal Law Gazette
- Finding your constituency (in German)
- First and second vote explained
- Local elections explained (in German)
Sources: German Bundestag, press release on the Federal Convention 2027, 26 February 2026, Basic Law, Article 54 (gesetze-im-internet.de, accessed November 2026)
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
