Migrants are a core part of society. According to the 2021 Census, one in six usual residents of England and Wales were born outside the UK. 

Many migrants can vote but are not aware of their rights. According to the Electoral Commission, only 66% of EU and Commonwealth citizens who are eligible to vote are registered, compared to 87% of UK and Irish citizens. 

You don’t have to be a British Citizen to vote in UK elections but your right to vote depends on your nationality and immigration status:

• British and Irish citizens can vote in all UK elections.
• Qualifying* Commonwealth citizens living in the UK can vote in all elections.
• Some EU citizens can vote in local elections (including councillors, directly elected mayors, and Policy and Crime Commissioners) in England and Northern Ireland (rules may vary in Scotland and Wales)

• • If you are an EU national living in England and Northern Ireland who arrived and gained status in the UK before January 2021 you can vote in local and devolved elections.
  • If you are an EU national living in England and Northern Ireland who arrived and gained status in the UK after January 2021 your right to vote depends on bilateral agreements signed between the UK and EU member states. 

• • • If you are a national of a country that has a bilateral voting rights agreement with the UK, you will qualify to vote in local and devolved elections in England and Northern Ireland, regardless of your date of arrival. As on October 2025 these are nationals from: Spain, Denmark, Luxembourg, Portugal and Poland.
• In addition to the above, all residents with lawful status are eligible to vote in local and devolved elections in Scotland and Wales.

Use this Can I Vote website tool developed by Migrant Democracy Project to check your eligibility and find out more about voting rights. 

*A person is a qualifying Commonwealth citizen if they do not require permission to enter or stay in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man or they do require permission to enter or stay in the UK but have been granted such permission, or are treated as having been granted such permission. Any type of permission is to enter or stay is acceptable, whether indefinite, time limited or conditional.

How does your vote count? 

Voting gives you a say in how things are run where you live and across the country. When you vote, you help choose the people who make decisions about things like healthcare, education, housing, and transport. It’s a way to have your voice heard and shape decisions. Even if you don’t think one vote makes a difference, when lots of people take part, it leads to fairer decisions.

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