Voting in the Spanish municipal elections
EU citizens can vote in municipal elections. Elections are held every four years to elect the mayor and local councillors.
Any EU citizen residing in Spain may vote in Spanish local elections, provided that:
- They register their intention to vote.
- They are registered in the population census.
How to register to vote in Spain?
In order to exercise the right to vote, you must be registered in the municipal register of inhabitants. This registration should be one of the first things you do after choosing a municipality to live in.
Registration in the census provides many benefits, such as:
- Allowing EU citizens to register to vote and to vote
- An accurate census
- Allowing registered citizens to have access to healthcare, schooling, municipal services, vehicle registration, etc.
- Discounts on travel between the islands and the peninsula
To be included in the Town Council register, visit the registration office and submit:
- Proof of identification (passport, NIE or DNI)
- Proof of address (rental contract or similar)
The electoral roll
Once you are registered to vote, you must declare your wish to vote. To do this, you must complete the declaration of voting intention in order to be included in the electoral roll. The voter’s card will be sent to the voter prior to the election date.
How to vote on Election Day?
After the announcement of the election date, candidates will campaign until just before the election.
Contact the City Council for the location of the local polling station.
On Election Day, bring identification and ballots to the polling station. In the voting booth, you will find lists of the parties that will be available in the elections. Choose the list of candidates, place it in one of the envelopes provided and seal the envelope. After leaving the booth, go to the table, show your identification and place the envelope in the ballot box.
