EU citizens living in Spain have the right to vote in municipal elections, giving them a say in who represents their local community. However, being registered on the padrón does not automatically mean you are registered to vote.
For the municipal elections on Sunday, 23 May 2027, EU residents who have not already registered as municipal electors must complete the necessary formalities by 30 December 2026, according to the National Statistics Institute, INE.
Who can vote?
Citizens of another EU member state who reside in Spain can vote if they will be at least 18 on election day, are registered on the padrón in their municipality of habitual residence, and have formally declared their intention to vote in Spanish municipal elections. They must be included in the electoral register used for the election.
There is no requirement for EU citizens to have lived in Spain for three or five years before qualifying. The requirements concern residence, age, padrón registration and the declaration of intention to vote. Owning a property alone does not meet these conditions.
The padrón and electoral register are different
The padrón is the town hall’s register of people living in the municipality. The electoral register identifies those entitled to vote.
EU residents must therefore make sure they have completed both stages. Registering on the padrón, obtaining an NIE or holding an EU residence registration certificate does not, by itself, replace the formal declaration of intention to vote.
For the 2027 elections, both padrón registration and the declaration must be completed no later than 30 December 2026. Residents should allow time to resolve any missing information rather than leave the process until the deadline.
How to register at your town hall
You can declare your intention to vote at the town hall of the municipality where you are registered on the padrón.
Ask for the EU citizens’ declaration of intention to vote in municipal elections, known as the DFA form. In Spanish, the procedure is called manifestación de voluntad de votar en las elecciones municipales.
If you have not yet registered on the padrón, contact your town hall about the documents required and ask to complete the voting declaration as part of the process. The padrón documentation requirements are determined by each council.
Registering online
EU residents can also make their declaration through the INE electronic office using Cl@ve.
For this route, you must already be registered on the padrón, your town hall must have passed that information to INE, and INE must have received your NIE details from the Central Register of Foreign Nationals. If the online process cannot verify your information, contact your town hall or the Electoral Census Office for assistance.
If you receive a letter from the Electoral Census Office
The Electoral Census Office is sending letters to eligible EU residents who have not previously declared their intention to vote and have not been contacted in earlier municipal election campaigns.
Recipients can sign and return the declaration using the postage-free postal procedure provided. Alternatively, they can use the personal CTT code included in the letter to complete the online declaration without Cl@ve. This service is available until 30 December 2026.
Not everyone will receive a letter. If you need to register, you can use the town hall or Cl@ve route without waiting for one.
What if you have registered before?
EU citizens who are already included in the municipal electoral register following an earlier declaration do not need to submit a new declaration for every election. Their registration continues unless they request removal or cease to meet the conditions.
If you are unsure whether you registered previously, check with your town hall or through INE. Residents who have moved should also make sure their address and municipality are correctly recorded.
For further information, contact your town hall, the provincial Electoral Census Office or the INE information line on 900 343 232. The key date for EU residents preparing to vote in May 2027 is 30 December 2026.
Summary
- Who can vote: Citizens of another EU country living in Spain who will be at least 18 on election day.
- Election date: Sunday, 23 May 2027.
- Registration deadline: 30 December 2026.
- Requirements: Be registered on the padrón in your municipality of habitual residence and formally declare your intention to vote in Spanish municipal elections.
- No minimum residence period: EU citizens do not need three or five years’ residence to qualify.
- Padrón registration alone is insufficient: You must also be included in the municipal electoral register.
- Register at your town hall: Complete the declaration of intention to vote, known as the DFA form.
- Register online: Use the INE electronic office with Cl@ve.
- If you receive an official letter: Return the signed declaration using the postage-free procedure provided, or register online using its CTT code.
- Already registered: You do not need a new declaration for each election while you remain eligible. Check your details if you are unsure or have moved.
- Further information: Contact your town hall or the Electoral Census Office on 900 343 232.
