List of Presidents of Germany: Past and Present

Last updated November 2026

This page lists the presidents and heads of state of Germany from 1949 to the present, with the years each leader was in office and a short summary of their time in power. Use it to find the current president of Germany, former presidents, and key dates in the country's political history.

Current president of Germany: Frank-Walter Steinmeier (in office since 2017).

Presidents of Germany in order, with years in office

Theodor Heuss

Served: 1949–1959

First Federal President; served two terms.

Heinrich Lübke

Served: 1959–1969

Served until he resigned on 30 June 1969.

Gustav Heinemann

Served: 1969–1974

Social Democrat who served one term.

Walter Scheel

Served: 1974–1979

Free Democrat who served one term.

Karl Carstens

Served: 1979–1984

Christian Democrat who served one term.

Richard von Weizsäcker

Served: 1984–1994

Served two terms, including German reunification in 1990.

Roman Herzog

Served: 1994–1999

Christian Democrat who served one term.

Johannes Rau

Served: 1999–2004

Social Democrat who served one term.

Horst Köhler

Served: 2004–2010

Re-elected in 2009; resigned on 31 May 2010.

Jens Böhrnsen

Served: 2010 (acting)

President of the Bundesrat who acted as head of state in June 2010.

Christian Wulff

Served: 2010–2012

Resigned on 17 February 2012.

Horst Seehofer

Served: 2012 (acting)

Bundesrat president who acted as head of state for 30 days in February and March 2012.

Joachim Gauck

Served: 2012–2017

Independent who served one term, from March 2012 to March 2017.

Frank-Walter Steinmeier

Served: 2017–present

Social Democrat who took office on 19 March 2017 and was re-elected in 2022.

Frequently asked questions about the presidents of Germany

Who is the current president of Germany?

The current head of state of Germany is Frank-Walter Steinmeier, in office since 2017.

Who were the previous presidents of Germany?

The presidents and heads of state of Germany listed on this page, in order, are: Theodor Heuss, Heinrich Lübke, Gustav Heinemann, Walter Scheel, Karl Carstens, Richard von Weizsäcker, Roman Herzog, Johannes Rau, Horst Köhler, Jens Böhrnsen, Christian Wulff, Horst Seehofer, Joachim Gauck, Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

Who was the first president of Germany?

Theodor Heuss was the first president of Germany, in office 1949–1959.

Sources: Wikipedia, List of presidents of Germany; Bundeswahlleiterin (Federal Returning Officer) list of Federal Presidents (checked Nov 2026). Federal Presidents of the Federal Republic since 1949, with acting presidents labelled; Weimar and wartime heads of state are not listed.. Last reviewed November 2026.

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