Dear Sir or Madam,
Dear Fellow Germans,
Dear GBA Members,
On behalf of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Hanoi, we are pleased to provide you with important information regarding your participation in the upcoming federal elections from abroad.
As you may be aware, the date for the early elections of the 21st German Parliament has been scheduled for February 23, 2025. This election will require significant adjustments to the typical timelines, including the preparation of party candidate lists, which are normally finalized during regular elections at the end of a legislative period. These changes also affect the deadlines for sending and returning postal voting documents from abroad.
The dispatch of postal voting documents within Germany will commence no earlier than February 4, 2025. Please be aware that this date may vary depending on the federal state.
To ensure maximum participation from Germans abroad, the Federal Foreign Office will utilize special couriers to expedite the delivery of election materials to the respective German missions abroad, including those in Hanoi.
In addition to the regular courier route, the Embassy in Hanoi will employ a special courier service to ensure that completed ballots are returned to Germany promptly, meeting the necessary postal deadlines.
What does this mean for you?
- If you have not yet done so, please register electronically with the voter register of your local electoral office as soon as possible. Note: Election documents will still only be sent in paper form. All necessary information can be found here
- If you would like to use the Embassy’s courier service, please send your election documents to the following return address:
Federal Foreign Office / Embassy of Germany in Hanoi / Kurstr. 36 / 10117 Berlin - Kindly inform us via email at visa@hano.diplo.de if you intend to use the courier service. Please provide your name and contact details (email and phone number).
- Once your election documents arrive at the Embassy (expected in both the regular courier delivery during calendar week 7 and the special courier delivery), we will notify you immediately.
- Please collect your documents in person at the Embassy by presenting your passport or ID card, as shipping within Vietnam is unfortunately not possible.
- We strongly recommend that you complete your election documents promptly and return them to the Embassy. A dedicated space for completing your documents will be available at the Embassy.
- The special courier service from Hanoi will depart on the evening of Tuesday, February 18, 2025. This ensures that all ballots received by that time will reach Germany in time to enter the postal system.
Additional information is available on the website of the Federal Returning Officer here
Despite the efforts of the Federal Foreign Office, it is anticipated that not all eligible voters will receive their documents in time for return shipment. Therefore, the Embassy in Hanoi encourages you to explore alternative shipping methods.
Please note that the Federal Foreign Office and the German missions abroad accept no liability for the loss, damage, or delayed delivery of election documents. Tracking of shipments is not possible.
This newsletter is being sent to you based on your registration with ELEFAND. Please inform other German nationals about the possibility of registering via website.
Yours faithfully,
Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Hanoi
German Business Association (GBA)
(Find the letter in German here)