I am a UK citizen living in Spain. Can I vote in Spanish elections?
“Lots of you have been in touch asking about your continued right to vote in local elections here in Spain,” said the Embassy communiqué, “following an ECJ ruling last week and subsequent press reports.”
They continued “This judgement, which concerned a UK National resident in France, does not affect UK nationals’ right to vote and stand in local elections in Spain.”
The right of British citizens to vote and stand as candidates in local Spanish elections is protected by the bilateral agreement between the UK and Spain, and says that this option is available to UK nationals who have lived in Spain and been registered residents for more than 3 years.
“UK nationals can vote and stand in local elections in Spain once they have been resident for 3 years,” says the Embassy.
To do so, you must:
- be registered on the municipal register where you live (padrón municipal)
- confirm your registration on the electoral roll (censo electoral), within the dates set by the electoral authorities before each election
They did warn, however, that the local town hall (Ayuntamiento) may not allow people to register on the electoral roll at other times.
Image: British Embassy Madrid
Source: Murcia Today
