British residents in Torrevieja must register to vote in 2027 local elections

Foreign residents in Torrevieja are being reminded that registration on the padron alone does not give them the right to vote in Spain’s 2027 local elections. With polling day scheduled for May 23, 2027, eligible British and other international residents across the Costa Blanca need to check the electoral registration rules and deadlines to ensure they can take part.

Padron registration alone is not enough

Torrevieja is reminding foreign residents that being on the padron is not enough if they want to vote in Spain’s 2027 local elections.

Eligible foreign residents must also be included on Spain’s Electoral Census of Foreign Residents.

The reminder is particularly relevant to the international communities living across the Costa Blanca, where many foreign nationals are registered as residents but may not have completed the separate electoral requirements.

British residents face January registration deadline

For British residents, applications open on December 1 and close on January 15, 2027. Applicants must be aged 18 or over, registered on the padron and legally resident in Spain.

UK nationals must also have completed at least three years of legal residence in Spain before applying.

Crucially, British residents need to apply for these elections even if they registered or voted in previous Spanish municipal elections.

This means previous participation does not automatically guarantee inclusion in the electoral census for the May 2027 vote.

EU citizens follow different voting rules

EU citizens follow different rules and have until December 30 to declare their intention to vote.

Those already registered to vote and who remain on the electoral roll do not need to make a new declaration.

Nationals of several other countries can also vote under reciprocal agreements with Spain, although residency requirements vary depending on nationality.

How to register for Spanish local elections

The Electoral Census Office is expected to send letters to eligible foreign residents from late November.

Applications can be made online, by post or in person at the town hall where residents are registered.

Anyone unsure whether they are included on the electoral census should check their registration status and the requirements applying to their nationality before the relevant deadline.

For more information, contact the Electoral Census Office on (+34) 900 343 232.