European elections

As an EU national, you have the right to vote and stand as a candidate in European elections.

The next European elections will take place from 6 to 9 June 2024. Each EU country decides the date or dates during that period when the vote will take place. They also have their own deadlines to register as a voter.

Warning

Disclaimer: The deadlines below apply only to EU citizens living in another EU country. Please note that special conditions may apply (e.g. for voting by post, registering online, using a proxy, voting at a consulate etc.) Click on the country name to see more detailed information. Where no deadline is available, the authorities have not yet announced a date.
I live in... ... and I want to vote for candidates from that country ...and I want to vote for candidates from my own country Date of election
Austria 9 June
Belgium 31 March 29 February 9 June
Bulgaria 40 days before 25 days before
Cyprus 2 April 2 April 9 June
Czechia 40 days before Cannot vote from abroad 7 June
Germany Automatic 21 days before 9 June
Denmark 5 weeks before 15 days before 9 June
Estonia 10 May Automatic 9 June
Greece 29 April 9 June
Spain 30 January 25 days before 9 June
Finland 21 March Automatic 9 June
France 3 May 3 May 9 June
Croatia 30 days before 10 days before 9 June
Hungary 24 May 31 May 9 June
Ireland 15 days before Cannot vote from abroad 7 June
Italy 90 days before Automatic 8-9 June
Lithuania 1 May 9 June
Luxembourg 55 days before 40 days before 9 June
Latvia 30 days before Automatic 8 June
Malta Cannot vote from abroad 8 June
Netherlands 23 April 5 days before 6 June
Poland 3 days before 3 days before
Portugal 3 days before 3 days before
Romania 60 days before 9 June
Sweden 30 days before 9 June
Slovenia 15 days before 9 June
Slovakia 40 days before Cannot vote from abroad 8 June

For more precise information, consult the national authorities in the relevant country.

Your right to vote

If you live in your home country, you can only vote for the EU candidates standing for election in your own country. If you are registered and live in another EU country, you can

  • vote for candidates standing in your home country, or
  • vote for candidates standing in your host country.

Warning

You can only vote once in the European elections.

Voting conditions in your host country

You may need to register to vote with the national authorities in your host country in order to vote in European elections. In some EU countries, you are automatically added to the electoral roll once you register your residence. However, if this is not the case, and you need to register, check the registration deadlines in your host country well in advance as they vary from country to country.

Voting for a candidate standing for election in your home country

Different EU countries provide different options for voters living abroad. Depending on your home country, you are either

  • still registered to vote in your home country
  • registered on a special roll for residents abroad, or
  • removed from the electoral roll after living abroad for a certain time.

If you are living abroad, and you wish to vote for a candidate in your home country, you can check all the conditions in your local consulate or embassy. See a list of consulates and embassies.

Warning

If you no longer live in your home country, you may not be able to vote in the EU elections of that country. Check the national rules.

Voting for a candidate standing for election in your host country

As an EU national, you can vote under the same conditions as nationals of the country where you live. If nationals are required to have lived in the country for a certain period to be allowed to vote, the same conditions will apply to you. You may need to provide a document proving the absence of a criminal record.

However, the periods that you have spent in other EU countries - other than your home country - should be taken into account in order to meet this requirement.

Compulsory voting

If voting in European elections is compulsory in your host country and, following your registration, you were put on the electoral roll of that country, you are obliged to vote - just as the nationals of that country are. Check the national rules of the country in which you wish to vote.

Voting from outside the EU

If you live outside the EU, you can usually vote in the EU elections in your home country's embassy or consulate. However, some countries don't allow you to vote from outside your home country.

Your right to stand as a candidate

When standing as a candidate in European elections, you will be required to make a declaration that you are not disqualified from standing as a candidate and that you are not standing in any other EU country. You may need to provide a document proving the absence of a criminal record. If you opt to vote or to stand as a candidate in the country where you live, you cannot do so in your home country.

Warning

You can only stand as a candidate in one country in EU elections.

Conditions to stand as a candidate

As an EU national, you can stand as a candidate under the same conditions that apply to nationals of the country where you live. If nationals are required to have lived in the country for a certain period to be allowed to stand for election in EU elections, the same conditions will apply to you.

However, the periods that you have spent in other EU countries - other than your home country - should be taken into account to fulfil this requirement. For more precise information, consult the national authorities in the relevant country.

On the European Parliament elections website you can find practical election information, as well as details on political parties and candidates standing for election for each EU country.

FAQs

EU legislation

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Last checked: 15/03/2024
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