October 20, 2026 · By Dra. Sandra Koelln
Next Sunday, 25 October 2026, Brazilians in Germany go back to the polls for the presidential run-off. Many who did not vote on 4 October have the same question: can I still vote? The short answer is yes. But missing a vote without justifying it has consequences, and some of them show up exactly when you most need your documents, such as when renewing your passport at the consulate.
In this article, we explain what applies to those living in Germany.
Can you vote in the run-off if you missed the first round?
Yes. For Brazil's electoral courts, each round is a separate election. Having missed the vote on 4 October does not prevent you from voting on the 25th, as long as your voter registration (título de eleitor) is in good standing.
However, your absence in the first round does not disappear if you vote in the second. It must be justified separately: a justification (justificativa) only covers the round it refers to.
Living in Germany: is voting mandatory?
It depends on where your voter registration is held.
- Registration transferred abroad (overseas electoral zone, Zona Eleitoral do Exterior): voting is mandatory only for President of the Republic, for literate voters aged 18 to 70. Since the run-off is for president, voting on 25 October is mandatory.
- Registration still held in Brazil: you cannot vote in Germany. The deadline to transfer your registration abroad ended in May. In that case, you need to justify your absence.
Voting abroad takes place at embassies, consulates or other locations set by the electoral courts, in local time. To find out where to vote, check your polling station in the e-Título app or on the TSE (Superior Electoral Court) website. We have also gathered the information for Germany in this article: 2026 Brazilian elections in Germany: where to vote.
How to justify your absence
On election day
- Through the e-Título app, or
- At the polling station (mesa receptora) abroad. Note: polling stations with fewer than 100 voters do not use electronic ballot boxes and therefore do not accept justifications on the day.
After the election
Through e-Título, the website of the TSE or the regional electoral courts (TREs), or at an electoral registry office (cartório eleitoral). The deadlines are:
| Round | Date | Deadline to justify |
|---|---|---|
| 1st round | 4 October 2026 | by 3 December 2026 |
| 2nd round (run-off) | 25 October 2026 | by 8 January 2027 |
Voters registered in Brazil who were abroad can also justify within 30 days of returning to Brazil, at any electoral registry office, with a document proving the reason for the absence.
Missed both rounds? That means two justifications, one for each round.
What happens if I neither vote nor justify?
Those who do not vote and do not justify are left in default with the electoral courts. To settle it, you pay a small fine: about R$ 3.51 per round.
The bigger problem is what happens while the situation is not settled. Without electoral clearance (quitação eleitoral), a person may be prevented from:
- obtaining a passport or identity card at embassies and consulates;
- getting the electoral clearance certificate;
- applying for or taking up a public-sector position;
- re-enrolling at public or government-supervised educational institutions.
For those living in Germany, the passport is the most sensitive point. Many people only discover the issue at the consulate, when renewing the document.
Can I lose my voter registration?
Yes. Your registration can be cancelled if you fail to vote in three consecutive elections without justifying or paying the fines. Each round counts as one election. So missing both rounds in 2026 already adds up to two absences.
Checklist for 25 October
- Check in e-Título whether your registration is held abroad or in Brazil.
- If abroad, look up your polling station and bring an official photo ID (or use e-Título).
- If in Brazil, justify through e-Título on the day or afterwards, within the deadline.
- Missed the first round? Vote in the run-off and justify the first round by 3 December.
- Renewing your passport soon? First check that you are in good standing with the electoral courts.
Legal matters between Brazil and Germany
For electoral questions, the official source is always Brazil's electoral courts, through e-Título or the TSE website.
For legal matters involving both countries, such as divorce, custody and maintenance, inheritance, immigration, citizenship or the recognition of foreign decisions, the law firm Sandra Koelln Advocacia & Associados assists Brazilians living in Germany and Europe. If that is your case, get in touch with our team.
Sources
- TSE — Justificativa eleitoral (justifying your absence)
- TSE — How to justify your absence in the first round of the 2026 elections
This content is for information only and reflects the rules published by the TSE for the 2026 elections. It does not replace advice on your specific case or the official guidance of Brazil's electoral courts.