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Voting and candidacy rights of EU citizens

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

Changes to voting rights

The UK's departure from the European Union changed who can vote and stand as a candidate in UK elections.

These changes were introduced as part of the Elections Act.

These changes affect:

Who can vote in local elections

You can register, vote or stand as a candidate in these elections if you are:

  • a citizen of Denmark, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal or 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
  • a citizen of any other EU country who was legally resident in the UK on or before 31 December 2020 and has 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

UK Parliamentary elections

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

Ciziten of Ireland, Cyprus and Malta

Citizens of Ireland, Cyprus and Malta living in the UK can register, vote and stand as candidates in all elections held in the UK.

Citizens of Denmark, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal and Spain

The UK has voting agreements with these countrues.

If you're a citizen of one of these countries and live in the UK, you can vote and stand as a candidate in UK elections.

This does not include UK Parliamentary elections.

If you're a UK citizen living in one of these countries, you can vote and stand as a candidate in elections in that country.

Citizens of 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
  • Czechia
  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Hungary
  • Italy
  • Latvia
  • Lithuania
  • The Netherlands
  • Romania
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • Sweden

If your citizenship or nationality has changed

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

Contact us

Electoral Services 
Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
Town Hall
Hornton Street
London
W8 7NX

Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm

Last updated: 8 July 2026