Registering to vote

If you are an EU citizen living in the UK, whether you can vote in a UK election depends on the type of election you are voting in and your citizenship.

Election changes

There have been changes to which elections you can vote in and stand as a candidate in. This follows the UK’s departure from the European Union and have been introduced as part of the Elections Act.

These changes apply to the following elections:

• Local elections, mayoral elections and Greater London Assembly elections in England
• Local and Assembly elections in Northern Ireland
• Police and Crime Commissioner elections in England and Wales

You will only be able to register, vote or stand as a candidate in these elections if you are a citizen of:

• Denmark, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal and Spain who is resident in the UK, has permission to enter or stay in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man, or who does not need permission
• any other EU country who on or before 31 December 2020 was legally resident in the UK, had permission to enter or stay in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man, or who did not need permission, and this has continued without a break

EU citizens cannot vote or stand as a candidate in UK Parliamentary General elections.

Ireland, Cyprus and Malta

These changes do not affect the eligibility of citizens of Ireland, Cyprus and Malta. Citizens of these countries living in the UK can register, vote and stand as candidates in all elections held in the UK.

Denmark, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal and Spain

The UK has mutual agreements with Denmark, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal and Spain. Citizens of these countries living in the UK can still vote and stand as candidates in UK elections, excluding UK Parliamentary elections. It also means that any UK citizens living in these countries can vote and stand as candidates in elections in that country.

Other EU countries

To be able to register to vote in local elections in England, local and Assembly elections in Northern Ireland, and Police and Crime Commissioner elections in England and Wales, citizens of other EU countries need to be:

• a citizen of any other EU country who on or before 31 December 2020 was legally resident in the UK, had permission to enter or stay in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man, or who did not need permission, and this has continued without a break

The ‘other EU countries’ are:

• Austria
• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Croatia
• Czech Republic
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Italy
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• The Netherlands
• Romania
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Sweden

New citizenship or changed your nationality

If you have gained new citizenship or changed your nationality since you last registered to vote, you should let the Electoral Services team know. The changes to your citizenship or nationality may affect your eligibility to vote.