Do you have friends or family living abroad who are British citizens? They can now vote in UK Parliament elections, even if they’ve lived outside the UK for more than 15 years.
They will need to have previously lived or been registered to vote in the UK at some point in their life.
They can now also register to vote online, and their overseas declaration is valid for three years, lasting until 1 November in the third year after it takes effect. Find out how to renew your registration.
These changes apply to:
- UK Parliament general elections
- by-elections
- recall petitions
They do not apply to local elections.
What are the eligibility rules?
British citizens, which includes eligible Irish citizens and citizens of Crown Dependencies, may register as overseas voters if they are now living abroad, providing they:
- were previously registered to vote in the UK, either before they left the UK or as an overseas voter; or
- previously lived in the UK.
Overseas British citizens must apply to register as a voter using the address where they were last registered to vote in the UK or, if they have never been registered, the last address where they lived in the UK.
What if voters have been registered at more than one address in the past?
If they have been previously registered at more than one address, they should use the most recent address at which they were registered.
How do voters register?
Overseas voters can apply to register in the same way as any other voter. You can apply online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote or by completing a paper form.
Why have the rules changed?
In 2022, the UK Parliament made several changes to the UK’s electoral system. These changes include the removal of the 15-year limit on the rights of eligible British citizens to vote in UK Parliament elections. For more information visit electoralcommission.org.uk/overseasvoters.
Renewing your overseas elector registration
If you are registered to vote as an overseas elector, you must renew your registration periodically to remain on the electoral register.
Your overseas elector declaration is normally valid for up to three years. The renewal date will usually be 1 November in the third year after your application was approved.
We will email you approximately three months before your declaration expires with:
- details of how to renew your overseas elector declaration
- a unique security code to help you complete the process online
Renew online
The quickest and easiest way to renew your overseas elector registration is online at GOV.UK.
You will need the unique security code provided in your renewal email.
If you do not renew your declaration before it expires, your name will be removed from the electoral register and you will no longer be eligible to vote as an overseas elector.
Renew your postal or proxy vote
If you vote by post or proxy, you must also submit a new application when renewing your overseas elector declaration.
Once you have renewed your overseas elector registration, you can reapply for a:
Please make sure both your overseas elector declaration and postal or proxy vote application are renewed to ensure you can continue to vote in future UK Parliamentary elections.