Do you have friends or family living abroad who are British citizens? Let them know 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 now valid for three years, lasting until 1 November in the third year after it takes effect.

These changes apply to UK Parliament general elections, by-elections and recall petitions. They do not apply to local elections or elections for the Scottish Parliament, Senedd or Northern Ireland Assembly.

In 2022, the UK Parliament passed the Elections Act, which 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 the Electoral Commission Overseas Voters page.

This webpage will be regularly updated throughout the year as further information becomes available.

Last Updated – January 2024