The Provincial Delegation of the Electoral Census Office in Seville has informed municipalities about the procedures that foreign nationals must follow to participate in the upcoming Municipal Elections, scheduled for May 23, 2027.
Deadlines and procedures vary by nationality. Citizens from other European Union countries have until December 30, 2026, to express their wish to vote in Spain. Meanwhile, residents from countries with reciprocity agreements with Spain will have a specific period, from December 1, 2026, to January 15, 2027, to apply for registration on the electoral roll.
Residents in Spain with nationality from another European Union country can exercise their right to vote in municipal elections if they meet the established requirements and have previously expressed their intention to do so in Spain. This declaration can be made online, by postal mail, or in person at the registered municipality.
For the online process, one can access the Electronic Office of the National Statistics Institute (INE) through the Cl@ve system. Some individuals will receive a letter from the Electoral Census Office with a Telematic Processing Key (CTT), which facilitates the online procedure. The CTT is a personal key that allows for telematic identification for this process.
Individuals who have received the letter with the CTT can complete the procedure by accessing the INE's Electronic Office, identifying themselves using Cl@ve or their NIE along with the CTT, filling out the form, and confirming the submission. The deadline for this declaration of intent to be effective for the 2027 Municipal Elections is December 30, 2026.
The right to participate in municipal elections also extends to nationals of certain non-EU countries with which Spain has reciprocity agreements. Currently, these countries include Bolivia, Cabo Verde, Chile, Colombia, Korea, Ecuador, Iceland, Norway, New Zealand, Paraguay, Peru, the United Kingdom, and Trinidad and Tobago.
Citizens of these nationalities must meet requirements such as being at least 18 years old on election day, being registered in the municipal register, holding a residence permit in Spain, and proving the minimum required legal residency period.
Those who meet the requirements must apply for registration on the electoral roll between December 1, 2026, and January 15, 2027. Applications can be submitted online, by postal mail, or in person at the municipality.
The official communication warns that applications received after the deadline will be rejected, therefore, attention to the dates is recommended, and the process should not be left to the last days.
