Voting for EU citizens

If you're a European Union citizen, you can't register, vote or stand in UK elections unless you are a:

• qualifying EU citizens - citizens from EU countries with reciprocal agreements with the UK, currently Denmark, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, or Spain (EU5)
  or
• EU citizens with retained rights - EU citizens from other EU countries who, on or before 31 December 2020, 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

Citizens from Ireland, Malta, or Cyprus will retain their voting rights in all UK elections while resident in the UK.

We need to review the eligibility of all EU citizens in the area and we will either let you know if you're still eligible to vote or if we need further information to verify your status.

Candidacy rights

EU citizens elected before 7 May 2024 can remain in office for their full term.

For local and Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner elections in the area, EU citizens standing must be:

• a citizen of Denmark, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal and Spain who is resident in the UK (who has permission to enter or stay in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man or does not need permission)
  or
• 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

UK Parliament elections

EU citizens can't vote or stand as a candidate in UK Parliament elections.

Last updated 23 May 2024