EU citizens' voting and candidacy rights

Changes to EU citizens’ voting rights

EU citizens will no longer automatically be entitled to register, vote or stand for election in England.

From May 2024, EU citizens will only be able to register and vote at elections and referendums that use local government voting rights, if you are a:

EU citizen of Denmark, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, or Spain who has permission to enter or stay in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man, or who does not need permission - known as 'Qualifying EU citizens’
EU citizen of any other EU country 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 - known as 'EU citizens with retained rights'

Permission to enter or stay in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man (also called Leave to Enter or Remain) refers to a legal immigration status.

These changes will not affect the rights of citizens from Ireland, Malta or Cyprus.

Eligibility Confirmation and Review (ECR)

The Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) at London Borough of Southwark will carry out a review of EU citizens as part of an Eligibility Confirmation and Review (ECR) process later this year.

We will contact 'Qualifying EU citizens' and 'EU citizens with retained rights' to confirm their continued eligibility to remain registered to vote.

Changes to EU citizens’ candidacy rights

From May 2024, EU citizens standing as candidates must have been legally resident in the UK before 31 December 2020, or be from Denmark, Poland, Spain, Portugal and Luxembourg, to be eligible. EU citizens elected before this date can remain in office for their full term.

Page last updated: 16 May 2024

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EU citizens' voting and candidacy rights

Changes to EU citizens’ voting rights

Eligibility Confirmation and Review (ECR)

Changes to EU citizens’ candidacy rights

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