Elections 2027: All Dates at a Glance and What You Need to Know

The 2027 election dates determine when you can cast your vote at federal and state level. The Federal Convention elects the new head of state on 30 January 2027, and five state elections follow between April and September. This page lists all dates that are currently confirmed and the articles that show you what to clarify beforehand.

What matters most in brief

• The Federal Convention meets on 30 January 2027 to elect the Federal President, a date the Bundestag set on 26 February 2026.
• Saarland and Schleswig-Holstein vote on 18 April 2027, North Rhine-Westphalia on 25 April 2027.
• Bremen elects its city parliament on 30 May 2027, Lower Saxony its state parliament on 26 September 2027.
• The Federal Returning Officer lists the state election dates without guarantee. The binding date is published by the responsible state returning office.
• Whether you may vote depends on your residence and your nationality.

All 2027 election dates at a glance

The table summarises the federal and state dates confirmed so far.

When is the 2027 presidential election held?

The Federal Convention is scheduled for 30 January 2027, as the Bundestag announced at the end of February 2026. The head of state is not elected directly by the public. The Federal Convention consists of members of the Bundestag and delegates chosen by the state parliaments. The procedure itself is explained in Federal presidential election 2027: how the head of state is elected (in German).

Which state elections take place in 2027?

In spring 2027, Saarland and Schleswig-Holstein vote on 18 April 2027, and a week later North Rhine-Westphalia follows on 25 April 2027. Bremen elects its city parliament on 30 May 2027, and Lower Saxony votes on 26 September 2027. The Federal Returning Officer publishes these dates without guarantee, so anyone who wants certainty should check the page of the responsible state returning office.

The ballot paper varies from one election to the next. For the structure of the federal vote, see First and second vote: what happens on the ballot paper (in German).

Where can students vote?

Many students are registered both at their place of study and at their home address. If you have two residences, clarify in advance in which municipality you hold the right to vote. The rules are explained in Voting rights for students with two residences: where you may vote (in German). If you are unsure which constituency applies to your address, Finding your constituency: how to find out where you vote (in German) helps.

Postal vote and voter notification: what to do

The municipality sends the voter notification before polling day. If it does not arrive, ask the electoral office in good time. Postal votes have fixed application deadlines, which can differ by state and by election. Details on the process and deadlines are in Applying for a postal vote: deadlines, steps and tips for students (in German) and Did not receive your voter notification? What you can do now (in German).

Wahl-O-Mat, university elections and committees

The Wahl-O-Mat helps with orientation but is not a voting recommendation. Using the Wahl-O-Mat properly: what the tool shows and what it does not (in German) explains what it shows and what it leaves out. Besides the state elections, students also vote at their own university. Electing the student parliament: how the university election works (in German) describes how the student parliament is elected, and Fachschaft: what it does and how you can get involved (in German) explains the role of the Fachschaft (student council of a subject).

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to register separately for the presidential election?

No. The presidential election is not a popular vote but an election by the Federal Convention, so the public does not cast a ballot. Members of the Federal Convention come from the Bundestag and from the state parliaments.

When do I receive the voter notification?

The municipality usually sends the voter notification a few weeks before election day. If nothing arrives, the electoral office can help, and Did not receive your voter notification? What you can do now (in German) describes the next steps.

What changes if I study in a different federal state?

The right to vote follows your residence, not your place of study. Students who study elsewhere generally vote where their main residence is located. The details on residences and voting rights are explained in Voting rights for students with two residences: where you may vote (in German).

Where can I find the exact date of my state election?

The state returning office of each federal state publishes the binding date and deadlines. The overview of the Federal Returning Officer serves as orientation and lists state dates without guarantee.

What to do now

1. Enter all dates from the overview into your calendar and check the date for your state with the state returning office.
2. Clarify at which address you are entitled to vote. Voting rights for students with two residences: where you may vote (in German) helps you with this.
3. Check that the voter notification reaches your current address, and apply for a postal vote in time if needed. The deadlines are listed in Applying for a postal vote: deadlines, steps and tips for students (in German).
4. Before the vote, compare programmes and positions with the Wahl-O-Mat, and keep in mind what Using the Wahl-O-Mat properly: what the tool shows and what it does not (in German) says about using it.

Related reading

The following articles expand on the topics of this group. They are arranged by subtopic.

Voting rights and polling place

• Voting rights for students with two residences: where you may vote (in German)
• Finding your constituency: how to find out where you vote (in German)
• Local elections explained: what the municipal council decides (in German)

Ballot paper and procedure

• Applying for a postal vote: deadlines, steps and tips for students (in German)
• Did not receive your voter notification? What you can do now (in German)
• First and second vote: what happens on the ballot paper (in German)
• Compulsory voting in Germany: is there a duty to vote? (in German)

Wahl-O-Mat and university

• Using the Wahl-O-Mat properly: what the tool shows and what it does not (in German)
• Electing the student parliament: how the university election works (in German)
• Fachschaft: what it does and how you can get involved (in German)
• University committees: who decides at the university and how (in German)
• Political education free of charge: offers for students (in German)

Federal level and lawmaking

• Federal presidential election 2027: how the head of state is elected (in German)
• How a law is made: from the draft to the Federal Law Gazette (in German)
• Federal budget 2027: what the draft plans for education and universities (in German)

Further ways to take part

• Voting age 16: where young people may vote and what is being debated (in German)
• Submitting a petition: procedure, quorum and review in the Bundestag (in German)
• Joining a political party: from what age and what it costs (in German)
• Co-signing a petition: what a signature in the Bundestag achieves (in German)

Sources:

• Press release of the German Bundestag dated 26.02.2026 (in German) (status 26 February 2026)
• Federal Returning Officer: election dates (in German) (retrieved November 2026, without guarantee)

Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.