Who Votes in Eurovision?
The Eurovision Song Contest is determined by two sets of voters from each participating country. Professional juries include industry specialists from each country. The Public (Televote)—Viewers at home who vote by phone, SMS, or app. Each group contributes 50% of the final score, ensuring a balance between artistic criticism and public opinion. In 2025, 37 countries participated. This means that each country contributes two sets of points, one from the jury and one from the public.,
What Are the Eurovision Points?
The renowned Eurovision point system is based on a ranking model. This is how it works.
Each country assigns a preset number of points to their top ten favorite performances (excluding their own country). 12 points for first place (the highest) 10 points – second place. 8 points – third place. Then 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1 point–for 4th to 10th place.
Each country performs this twice. Once from their professional jury. Once from the televoting public That means that one country can receive up to 24 points (12 from the jury and 12 from the public). With 37 voting countries, the total maximum possible points for one act can theoretically be 888 points from juries and 888 points from televotes = 1,776 points, although this is extremely rare.
When Did This Voting System Begin?
The current mixed jury + televote system was introduced in 2009, with the aim of reducing biased or politically motivated voting. Balance professional judgment with popular opinion, and improve openness and fairness. Since 2016, the jury and televote points have been announced separately during the final, bringing suspense and drama to the scoreboard! In 2023, an update enabled non-participating countries to vote online as part of a “Rest of the World” audience, demonstrating Eurovision’s evolution with its growing worldwide viewership.
Where Are the Votes Counted and Verified?
All votes are submitted and computed by Digame, Eurovision’s official voting partner based in Germany. The company uses a secure, real-time method to collect televotes from across Europe and beyond. The jury votes are cast early on the day of the final, after the dress rehearsals. Each country’s jury consists of five music professionals who independently rank all songs (except their own). Televotes are counted during the live program, which allows viewers around 15 minutes to vote after each performance.
Why Is the Voting System Important?
The method used to determine points in Eurovision is more than a technical detail; it has a significant impact on the outcome.
Balanced Evaluation: The jury ensures that musical quality, vocal talent, and staging are assessed professionally.
Public Power: Televoting allows fans to support underdog or viral performances.
Tension and Excitement: The difference between jury and public votes frequently results in dramatic story twists, such as when a jury favorite loses in the public vote or vice versa.
This dual method provides broad fairness and interesting television, which is one of the reasons Eurovision has remained popular throughout decades.
How Are the Points Actually Calculated?
Let us break it down clearly:
1. Jury Voting: National juries rank all songs, excluding their own. These rankings are then merged to produce a single national jury outcome for each country. The top ten rankings are turned into points: 12 points = 1st. 10 points equals 2nd. 8 points = 3rd. And so on. A spokesman announces these points nation by nation on live television.
2. Public Televoting: After public voting ends, each country’s televotes are counted. The top ten entries with the most votes in that country will receive: The score is down to one point from 12, 10, and 8. These televoting results are announced as a block—from lowest to highest—in the grand final, resulting in a dramatic finish. For example, “Austria received 178 points from the public.” This format (used since 2016) allows the winner to change at the final minute, leaving millions of viewers on edge.
Real Example: JJ’s 2025 Victory
Let us apply this to Austria’s JJ, who won in 2025 with “Wasted Love.” He scored 258 points from juries, placing first. Then he received 178 points from public voting, placing third in that category. His total score was 436 points, securing his victory over other countries with significant public votes but lower jury support. This demonstrates the importance of performing well before juries and the general public.
Common FAQs About Eurovision Points
Q: Can you vote in your own country?
A: No. Neither the jury nor the public can vote for their home nation.
Q: What if there is a tie?
A: The country with the most public votes ranks higher. If there is a tie, the act with the most 12-point wins, followed by 10s, and so on.
Q: How do the “Rest of the World” votes work?
A: Viewers in non-participating countries can vote online. These votes are pooled into a single virtual “country” and allocated similarly to previous televote blocks (12, 10, 8, etc.).
Final Thoughts
The Eurovision points system may appear dramatic on television, but it is truly based on transparency, balance, and justice. It blends professional juries’ insights with the power of the people, ensuring that every vote counts. Understanding how Eurovision points are scored helps viewers appreciate the contest even more, and it opens the door to deeper discussions about music, performance, and national pride. So the next time you see the scoreboard climb, you’ll understand exactly what’s going on behind the numbers.
