What is the voting age in Germany? For federal elections it is 18, and that rule has been debated for years. Anyone who wants to take part in the discussion should know where the voting age already differs, which arguments are made and which body holds the binding status. This guide separates the rules in force from the political debate.
Short answer: For Bundestag elections, the right to vote starts at 18. For European elections, 16-year-olds are entitled to vote in Germany. For state and local elections, the right from 16 applies only in some Länder. A change to the Basic Law for Bundestag elections would require a two-thirds majority. Last updated: November 2026.
The most important points at a glance
- Bundestag elections: the right to vote starts at 18, according to the Federal Agency for Civic Education (bpb).
- European elections: 16-year-olds are entitled to vote in Germany, while in most other European countries the age is 18.
- State and local elections: in some Länder the right applies from 16, and the state law must be checked to see which ones.
- A change for Bundestag elections would amend the Basic Law and require a two-thirds majority in the Bundestag and the Bundesrat.
- Whether a bill is in progress is shown by the Bundestag’s documentation system (DIP).
Where does the right to vote already start at 16?
The voting age is not the same everywhere. The Federal Agency for Civic Education distinguishes the levels. For Bundestag elections, the age is 18, and only here is the right to vote directly tied to coming of age. For the European election the rule in Germany is different: 16-year-olds are entitled to vote, while in most other European countries the age is 18.
At state level the rules differ. According to the Federal Agency, the right applies from 16 in state parliament elections in some Länder, and in some Länder for local elections too. The Federal Agency does not name the Länder individually, and the position changes when state parliaments change their electoral law. Anyone who wants to know whether their Land already allows voting at 16 should consult the state electoral law or the Land returning officer.
| Election | Voting age | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Bundestag election | 18 | Right to vote tied to coming of age (Federal Returning Officer, page dated 13 February 2023) |
| European election | 16 in Germany | Since the 2024 election (section 6 EuWG); in most other European countries, 18 |
| State parliament elections | From 16 in some Länder | Check the rules of each Land |
| Local elections | From 16 in some Länder | Rules depend on Land and municipality |
Anyone talking about the voting age should therefore distinguish the levels. A demand for voting from 16 can refer to the federal level, the Länder or the municipalities, and each has its own legal requirements.
What supports voting from 16?
An analysis by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation from 2022 summarises the arguments made for a reduction. The analysis is written by two authors, one of them a director of a local court, and presents the positions from a legal perspective. Supporters point to three central reasons that the analysis names.
- The voting age has been lowered several times over the past 150 years, with a clear downward trend.
- Stronger involvement of young people in politics is considered desirable.
- A reduction could offset the imbalance between older and younger voters caused by demographic change.
What speaks against voting from 16?
The same analysis sets out the opposing side in more detail. It puts three objections in the foreground, which rest on the link between coming of age and political maturity. Anyone judging the debate fairly should weigh both lists equally.
- According to the analysis, the legal order regularly links personal maturity with coming of age at 18, and this has proved itself in practice.
- A reduction would lead to a lasting decoupling of coming of age and the right to vote.
- A reduction would not be a lasting answer to the imbalance of power between old and young.
The arguments on both sides mainly concern whether the right to vote should be tied to maturity or to participation. That question cannot be settled by figures alone, which is why the debate is conducted politically.
What is the current status?
The Konrad Adenauer Foundation analysis is dated 1 February 2022. It describes the debate as having been renewed and considers a constitutional amendment unlikely in the near future. That assessment is four years old and says nothing about procedures started since then.
According to the analysis, changing the Basic Law for the voting age in Bundestag elections requires a two-thirds majority in the Bundestag and the Bundesrat. Whether a current bill provides for this step is shown by the Bundestag’s documentation system (DIP). The Bundesrat’s pages also inform about pending procedures.
What does this mean for students?
For students, the age limit matters mainly when the levels are compared. If you are 18, you are entitled to vote in Bundestag elections, regardless of whether you vote at your place of study or at home. The question of residence is covered in the guide on voting rights with two residences.
University elections are separate. They follow the statutes of each university, and the age rule that applies there is set out in the relevant election regulations. Anyone interested in university politics should check those rules rather than transfer the rules for state or federal elections. An overview is in the guide on electing the student parliament.
Anyone discussing the voting age therefore affects students on several levels at once. At federal and state level the question concerns the vote in major elections, while at university it concerns representation in everyday study life. Both levels should be considered separately.
Frequently asked questions
Can I vote in a Bundestag election at 16?
No. The right to vote in Bundestag elections starts at 18. The Federal Returning Officer states this age limit (page dated 13 February 2023), and the Federal Agency for Civic Education links it to coming of age.
Can I vote in the European election at 16?
Under section 6 EuWG and according to the Federal Returning Officer, the right to vote in the European election in Germany starts at 16, first applied in the 2024 election. In most other European countries, the age is 18.
Does the right from 16 apply in my Land?
That depends on the Land and can change with state law. The Federal Agency only states in general terms that it applies in some Länder. The Land returning officer is the binding authority for rules in state elections.
Who decides on a lower voting age?
That depends on the level. For state and local elections, state law decides. For Bundestag elections, a change to the Basic Law would be needed, which according to the analysis requires a two-thirds majority in the Bundestag and the Bundesrat.
Where can I find current information on the procedure?
Current bills and their stages are on the websites of the Bundestag and the Bundesrat. For the election rules in your Land, the Land returning officer is the right contact.
What to do next
- Check which election you are entitled to vote in, because federal, Land and municipal rules differ.
- If you want to vote in a Land that allows voting from 16, check the state electoral law or the Land returning officer.
- Follow the development on the Bundestag website before forming a position.
Related reading
- Elections 2027: all dates at a glance
- Voting rights for students with two residences
- First and second vote explained
- Is voting compulsory in Germany?
- Local elections explained (in German)
Sources: Federal Returning Officer, glossary: voting age (page dated 13 February 2023, retrieved 2 November 2026, German), Federal Agency for Civic Education, Das junge Politik-Lexikon: voting age (in German), Konrad Adenauer Foundation, analysis “Wahlrecht mit 16: Chance oder Irrweg?” (1 February 2022, in German)
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
