ARCHIVED - Message from British Consulate on voting rights for UK expats in Spain 2023 election

Sara Munsterhjelm, British Vice Consul Alicante gives update on the voting right and procedure for UK Expats in 2023 local elections

Although UK expats no longer automatically qualify to vote in Municipal Elections having lost EU Citizen status after Brexit, they can still vote in local elections because there is a reciprocal agreement between Spain and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, signed in Madrid on 21 January 2019, which recognises the right of British citizens residing in Spain to vote and to stand as a candidate.

This however entails a new registration process, long-awaited details of which have now been published. Although the details have been published by the Alicante Diputación, the British Vice Consul confirms that for the Murcia Region and the rest of Spain, “the information will probably be the same as this is based on national legislation”.

Non-EU citizens from countries with a reciprocal agreement must register to vote every time they wish to exercise their right to vote in municipal elections.

The Electoral Census of Foreign Nationals Resident in Spain from Countries with Agreements is re-compiled for each municipal election, meaning that enrolments are valid only in the municipal election for which they were made.

In order to exercise your right to vote, in addition to the general requirements, you must have been resident in Spain for the time period required by the relevant agreement.

The requirements for UK expats to qualify for voter registration are:

• Be a legal adult (18 years of age or older) on polling day
• Be able to certify your legal status in Spain, specifically having legally and uninterruptedly resided in Spain for at least 3 years prior to your request to enrol on the Electoral Census.
• Be legally registered with the relevant municipality at your home address.
• Not have had your right to vote removed
• Be enrolled on the Electoral Census of Foreign Nationals Resident in Spain, the enrolment deadlines vary for EU residents and for residents of countries with an agreement, for European citizens, the deadline is 30 January 2023 applications for enrolment on the Electoral Census for citizens of countries with an agreement including the UK may be made from 1 December 2022 to 15 January 2023.

Help on how to vote in Alicante

Informative Talks on how to vote have been arranged in the Alicante area to provide guidance in the process the talks will be held at:

• Rojales: November 11 starting at 10am, Cultural Centre Ciudad Quesada, C/del Pino s/n, Rojales
• Orihuela: November 17 starting at 10am, Orihuela Playa City Hall, Road N-332, Orihuela
• Torrevieja: November 18 starting at 10am, Cultural Centre Virgen del Carmen, C/del Mar 28, Torrevieja
• Jávea: November 24 starting at 10.30am, Assembly Hall of the Casa de Cultura, Placa de Baix 6, Jávea
• San Fulgencio: November 25 starting at 10.30am, Cardinal Beluga Theatre, C/Rojales 16, San Fulgencio
• Benidorm: December 1 starting at 10.30am, Town Hall Assembly Hall, Placa de SS MM, Els Reis d’ Espanya, Benidorm
• Pilar de la Horadada: December 2 starting at 10.30am, Caa de Cultura, C/los Carretillas, Pilar de la Horadada

If you wish to attend any of these events, you are asked to confirm by email info@votoresidentesalicante.com