Information for British citizens living overseas

Overseas electors are eligible to vote in parliamentary elections and national referendums in the UK. 

From 16 January 2024 as part of the Elections Act 2022  the 15 year limit has been removed. If you are a British Citizen living overseas who has previously lived in the UK or been registered to vote in the UK, you can register to vote regardless of how long you have lived outside the UK. 

A number of changes to voting from overseas now apply: 

  • You can register to vote if you previously lived in the UK but were not registered to vote
  • You can register to vote as an overseas elector no matter how long ago you left the UK or were last registered to vote
  • Your overseas declaration is now valid for three years, lasting until 1 November in the third year after it takes effect (for example, if your declaration takes effect on 1 March 2024, it will expire on 1 November 2026)
  • You can now register online (not available in Northern Ireland)

If you are an overseas voter who registered to vote before 16 January 2024, you will need to renew your registration when your declaration expires. If you applied for a proxy vote before 31 October 2023, this will expire on 31 January 2024 and you will need to reapply for a proxy vote. 

British citizen living in another country

Public servants or spouse or civil partner of a public servant posted overseas

Public servants are eligible to vote in all UK elections. Keeping your details up to date on the electoral register will mean we can contact you easily and ensure you can still vote.

Ways to vote

Unless you will be present in Cheltenham on polling day, you will need to complete the relevant application form to set up:

Please take into consideration the time it will take for a postal vote to reach you and ensure you have a enough time to return it to us. You have until 10pm on polling day to return a postal vote.