European elections

European citizens resident in Spain can fulfil the electoral registration formalities and express their wish to vote in European elections at any time. However, to be included on the current electoral roll for elections to the European Parliament, there are two prior formalities to complete in good time, two or three months before the date on which the elections are called.

They can also, at any time, check their registration data in the electoral roll and, if incorrect, file a claim for correction.

The intention to vote in elections to the European Parliament is deemed to be permanent, unless revoked by the elector.

To register as an elector, you must follow the procedure at the relevant town council.

You can state your intention to vote in elections to the European Parliament in Spain in your municipality, at the time of your entry on the electoral roll or later:

• by attending the town hall in person;

• by remote data transmission, if you have the Cl@ve mobile app, via the Electronic Office of the National Statistics Institute (INE).

• by post, addressed to the provincial office of the Electoral Registry.

Claims regarding registration data can be carried out in the same way, either in person at town halls or electronically, if you have the Cl@ve mobile app, via the Electronic Office of the Spanish National Statistics Institute (INE).

In the months prior to municipal elections being called, the Electoral Census Office sends a letter to EU residents in Spain (to whom it has not written on the occasion of previous European Parliament elections) who have not formally stated their intention to vote. The letter informs them that, if they are interested in voting, they should formally state their intention to do so.  The letter also includes an electronic access code (CTT) which you can use to state your intention to vote via a procedure currently handled via the Electronic Office of INE .

With the declaration of your intention to vote in elections to the European Parliament in Spain, you must declare that you will only exercise this right in Spain. You must disclose your last constituency in your country of origin so that you can be identified, to avoid dual voting.

Once Community citizens resident in Spain have registered and declared an vote in the elections to the European Parliament, if they have access to Cl@ve, they can electronically check their registration data in the electoral roll at the  Electronic Office of INE and, if incorrect, file a claim as indicated earlier.

Once the European Parliament elections have been called, a specific section will be created on the INE website to facilitate all procedures related to the electoral process, and the following online services: checking the current electoral register, lodging complaints during the electoral period, checking polling station and venue details, checking the processing status of postal vote applications and completion of postal vote applications of voters residing in Spain.

Those who have not been entered on the current electoral roll, or who find errors or omissions, may file a complaint to the Electoral Census Office of their municipality at any time, or between 6 and 13 days after the calling of European Parliament elections. The complaint will be resolved in accordance with the criteria established in the resolutions on complaints, of 27 October 2014 and 23 January 2017, of the Electoral Census Office.

The (padrón) register is a municipal register. The town council is responsible for compiling and managing it. To go on the municipal register, you must apply to your municipality of habitual residence and supply the requested documents.

There is only one requirement for the formality of stating your intention to vote in municipal elections in Spain: you must already be on the electoral roll and complete the form, either on paper at the town hall or remotely at the Electronic Office of INE. The paper form can be obtained from the INE's website to be filled out in advance ( CERE.DFA ). The undertaking to vote only in Spain, and the statement of your last constituency in your country of origin, are made on the same form as the statement of your intention to vote.

In Spain it is not compulsory to exercise voting rights.

Spanish residents in other countries must be entered on the consular register in good time for inclusion in the current electoral register (CERA): two or three months before elections are called. Once elections are called, they must apply to vote no later than 25 days after the date of the announcement.

Residents in Spain who are abroad temporarily must register as non-residents at the consulate competent for the place where they are staying. When elections are called, they must apply to vote at the consulate no later than 25 days after the announcement of the election.

The procedure is as described in the point above.

Those who have Cl@ve access can view their entry on the electoral roll electronically, at the Electronic Office of INE. When elections are called, they can check their inclusion on the current roll, via the procedures open to them at the Electronic Office of INE after the elections are called.

Those who are not entered on CERA, or who find errors or omissions, can file a complaint at their consulate at any time or, when elections are called, they can do this between 6 and 13 days after the date of the announcement. Complaints will be resolved in accordance with the criteria prescribed in the resolutions on complaints, of 27 October 2014 and 23 January 2017, of the Electoral Census Office.

The consular register is kept at the consular office. The consulate itself is responsible for compiling and keeping it. Applicants for entry on the consular register must go to the consular office, bringing the required documents.

In Spain it is not compulsory to exercise voting rights