Voting in Spain
Here in Gaucin we welcome voter participation in elections. Your voice counts and your vote can influence who runs the Town Hall - Mayor/ Mayoress and Councillors.
If you are not a Spanish citizen but are legally resident in Spain you may still have the right to vote in the local municipal elections and/or the EU parliamentary elections. Likewise you may have the right to stand in these elections.
Note that your right to vote depends on your country of citizenship and the length of time you have been legally resident in Spain.
The next local elections will be held on May 28 2023 and both EU residents and non EU residents from countries that have a Voting Reciprocity Agreement with Spain and who meet the prerequisites set in Spanish law will be able to vote. The information below explains these prerequisites and what you need to do to register on the census.
1. Nationals of European Union (EU) countries
EU citizens residing in Spain can vote in Local election as long as they meet the following requirements:
- You must be over 18 years of age
- You must be registered on the Padron of the place where you live.
- You must have declared your wish to vote in the municipal elections.
- Both enrollment in the padron and the declaration of willingness to vote must be completed by January 30 2023 in order to vote in the local elections on May 28 2023.
Procedure:
If you have not previously voted in local Spanish elections then you must make a Formal Declaration of Willingness to Vote in Spain for the Municipal Elections. This can be made online, by post or in person at the Town Hall of residence.
a) Online:
EU citizens residing in Spain can express their intention to vote in Spain in municipal elections (and also in elections to the European Parliament if they wish) using the cl@ve system via the following link:
https://sede.ine.gob.es/manifestacionVotoPermanente/presentacion
b) In the Town Hall of residence:
By filling in the formal declaration form (DFA model) available at the town hall or downloaded here:
subidas/archivos/8/2/arc_219128.pdf
Proof of identity must be shown, which can be using your foreigner card where the NIE appears, or with your passport of your country of origin.
2. Nationals of Non EU Countries (including UK citizens)
If you are a resident in Spain but a non EU National you may still be able to vote and stand in local elections if your country of nationality has an agreement with Spain. Those countries with agreements include:
Bolivia,
Cape Verde
Chile
Colombia
Korea
Ecuador
Iceland
Norway
New Zealand
Paraguay
Peru
United Kingdom
Trinidad and Tobago.
UK Citizens:
The details of these agreements vary by country but as a citizen of the United Kingdom you can vote or stand in the upcoming local elections of May 2023 as long as you have been resident for 3 years.
To do so, you must:
- Be registered on the municipal register (padrón)
- Confirm your registration on the electoral roll (censo electoral) by January 15th 2023
The Electoral Census Office (Oficina del Censo Electoral) will write to all non EU nationals (including UK nationals) who, according to the relevant databases, have the right to vote. They are due to send these letters at the end of November 2022.
If you receive a letter, follow the instructions to complete your registration either by post or online. If you do not receive a letter but believe you meet the requirements to vote, contact the town hall and register in person.
Remember that you will not be able to vote in the local elections in Gaucín in May if you are not registered on the census and registration closes on January 15th for all non EU nationals.
If you are registering for the census in person you can download the form below and once completed take it to the town hall along with your residents card as proof of ID.
subidas/archivos/5/9/arc_220795.pdf
