A political party is an association of citizens regulated by the German Federal Party Law. Political parties aim to influence political decision-making at federal or state level over a longer period of time and may represent voters in state parliaments or in the Bundestag.

First of all, a party needs members. In addition, the party itself must be internally democratic. This means, for example, that it must hold party conventions and elections for party leadership positions. These structures and party bodies must be defined in a statute or constitution. Finally, the party must present a political program containing its core interests and demands, which is adopted by members during a party convention.

Currently, 18 parties are represented in the Bundestag, the European Parliament or at least one German state parliament. A total of 29 parties participated in the 2025 federal election.