As Berlin prepares for a state election, nearly one million adult residents remain unable to vote due to citizenship requirements, sparking debates over political representation.

Ahead of Berlin's upcoming state election on September 20, a significant portion of the city's population remains disenfranchised. Approximately 976,000 adult residents, representing one-quarter of the city's 3.9 million people, cannot vote because they lack German citizenship. This figure has doubled since 2011, leaving many international residents without a say in local governance despite their contributions to the economy and society.

The Impact of Citizenship Laws

Because Berlin is a federal state, its elections are subject to stricter voting requirements than municipal elections, where EU citizens are typically permitted to vote. For many residents, such as those working in the city, the inability to vote is compounded by frustrations over bureaucracy and rising living costs. While some local officials, such as Mitte district mayor Stefanie Remlinger, have organized symbolic elections to raise awareness, there is little political momentum for broader enfranchisement.

Political Climate and Naturalization

The debate over voting rights occurs against a backdrop of shifting political sentiments, with the anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) party polling near 20%. While some argue for expanded voting rights, others, including members of the Free Democratic Party (FDP), have expressed concerns about the potential for foreign-led political parties. Currently, the most viable path to political participation for non-citizens remains the naturalization process, which saw 39,000 people become German citizens in 2025.