#LifeInCzechia As an expat, you are part of the Czech society. Maybe you would like to help shape the country from a political perspective. Here comes the question – can I even vote as a foreigner? If so, can I take part in all of the elections? How to proceed? Let’s find out the answers together in this article!
Not all foreigners can vote
Can I vote as a foreigner / non-national?
The right to vote depends on your country of origin:
Are you a citizen of a non-European Union country?
Unfortunately, as a third-country citizen, you cannot participate in the elections. There is currently no agreement with any third country that could grant you the right.
Are you a citizen of another EU member state?
Great news! You can vote in two elections – European Parliament elections and municipal assembly elections. Let’s have a look at the municipal assembly elections.
Municipal assembly elections
The municipal assembly elections are held in each municipality. In large municipalities, the elections occur at both levels – the city council and city district councils. This applies to Brno, Ostrava, Pilsen, Ústí nad Labem, Pardubice, Opava, Liberec and Prague.
Legal requirements
To be able to vote, you need to:
- be a citizen of a different EU Member State
- be at least 18 years of age on the second day of the election
- have a temporary or permanent residence permit in the Czech Republic
- have residency in the particular municipality you’d like to vote in
If you meet all conditions, you can apply for registration in the voter list at the local municipal office.
How to register
You can register both in person and in writing form.
In person
It is necessary to prove your identity, EU citizenship (ID card or travel document from your country of origin) and residence in the Czech Republic (temporary or permanent residency card).
In writing
In a written application, it is enough to state your full name, date of birth, and address in the Czech Republic. Other data can be verified by the municipal authority in the register of foreigners.
Deadline
If you want to vote, you need to register at least 2 days before Election Day.
You can find the registration form specimen here.
Voting conditions
Once you are registered in the voter list, you are eligible to vote for as long as you meet all the legal requirements or until you request a deletion.
If you move to another municipality, you are automatically registered to the electoral register of the new municipality.
However, if you decide to leave Czechia, you will be removed from the list, as you no longer meet the legal requirement of residency.
Even when registered for municipal assembly elections in the Czech Republic, you have still the right to vote in your home country.
Remember
Voting in the Czech Republic is not compulsory. If you are a registered voter, you can still choose not to vote.
Let us help you and book an information service today!
If you want to feel at home, check out our categories of “Expat” and “Practical tips for expats” where you will find interesting information about the Czech Republic and recommendations how to make your life here easier.
Sources: mvcr.cz
Image sources: pexels
