Nuernberg, 02. Oktober 2008: Burgberg im Herbst (Foto: Ralf Schedlbauer/ Stadt Nuernberg).

Office for European Issues Nuremberg

Local Elections 2026 (Kommunalwahlen)

Graphic of the Sinnwellturm tower, an EU star banner and a woman filling out a ballot paper with a pen, on a yellow background with the words ‘Local elections 2026 – How are local elections connected to the EU?’, Image © EUROPE DIRECT Nürnberg

Local elections and the EU

Local elections will be held in Bavaria and Nuremberg on 8 March 2026. But how are local elections and the EU connected? Brussels is far away, isn't it?

Geographically, perhaps, but not in the everyday life! European laws and objectives such as digitalisation, climate protection and protection against discrimination are implemented right here in Nuremberg.

  • With the online ID function (eID) in your identity card, you can carry out administrative procedures in Nuremberg digitally, whether registering a place of residence or applying for a driving licence. The EU's eIDAS Regulation sets out the security standards for eID.
  • More drinking water fountains for everyone! This is provided for in the heat action plan, which is decided by the Nuremberg city council. It implements the EU Drinking Water Directive.
  • Are you affected by discrimination? If so, the Anti-Discrimination Office of the City of Nuremberg can help you. The General Act on Equal Treatment, which protects people in Germany from discrimination, is based on several EU directives on equal treatment. The city council has also adopted an action plan called ‘Queer Nuremberg’.

The local authority therefore implements many EU laws and often has some leeway in doing so. This is then decided by the city council.

Who is eligible to vote in the local elections?

In addition to German citizens, EU citizens are also eligible to vote in local elections. If you are at least 18 years old, have been living in Bavaria since at least 8 January 2026 and have your main residence in Nuremberg and you are not disqualified from voting, you are eligible to vote on 8 March. You will automatically receive your polling card by mail by 15 February 2026 at the latest.

Further information about the upcoming local elections can be found on the website of the Nuremberg Electoral Office (currently only in German).

How to vote in the local elections?

In the local elections in Nuremberg, a mayor and 70 members of the city council are elected.

You have one vote for the election of the mayor and 70 votes for the election of the city council. A detailed explanation of the election process can be found at the website of the Bavarian Agency for Political Education (in German).

For EU citizens, EUROPE DIRECT Nürnberg is offering an information event on 24 February 2026 ‘How to Kommunalwahlen - Local elections 2026". You can find all further information on this in our events calendar.

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