Key data
| Regulation | Council Directive (EU) 2026/1194, of 26 May 2026 |
|---|---|
| Publication | 4 June 2026 |
| Entry into force | 4 June 2026 |
| Affected parties | EU citizens residing in a Member State of which they are not nationals |
| Category | European Regulation |
| Regulation that consolidates and replaces | Directive 94/80/CE |
| Scope | Municipal elections in all EU Member States |
EU citizens living in a European country other than their country of origin have, since 4 June 2026, a simpler and more uniform legal framework to exercise their right to vote and run as candidates in municipal elections in the country where they reside. The Directive (EU) 2026/1194 consolidates and updates the previous Directive 94/80/CE, eliminating the bureaucratic barriers that hindered the political participation of non-national community citizens.
This regulatory change is significant: it affects millions of European citizens residing in a Member State different from their own and who until now could face more demanding registration requirements than those applied to nationals of that country.
What does this regulation establish?
Directive 2026/1194 comprehensively regulates how EU citizens residing in a Member State of which they are not nationals can exercise their active voting right (voting) and their passive voting right (running as candidates) in municipal elections.
The main changes compared to the previous regulation (Directive 94/80/CE) are as follows:
| Aspect | Before (Directive 94/80/CE) | Now (Directive 2026/1194) |
|---|---|---|
| Electoral roll registration procedures | Additional requirements could be imposed on non-nationals | Equated to those required of nationals of the Member State |
| Additional requirements for non-nationals | Permitted in certain cases | Eliminated when unjustified |
| Permanence in the electoral roll | Periodic renewal or reconfirmation could be required | Once registered, they remain under the same conditions as nationals as long as they meet the requirements |
| Access to candidacy | Fragmented regulation by country | Deprivation of the right to candidacy is expressly regulated and information exchange between Member States is established |
| Exchange of information on disqualifications | No harmonized framework | A system for exchanging information between Member States on electoral disqualifications is established |
Furthermore, the directive obliges Member States to guarantee easy access to these rights, eliminating any obstacle to participation that is not objectively justified.
Economic and operational impact
This directive does not generate direct costs for businesses or self-employed persons. Its impact is mainly administrative and operational for the electoral administrations of the Member States, which must adapt their registration and electoral roll systems.
For European citizens residing in another EU country, the impact is positive: the procedures necessary to register in the electoral roll are reduced, the need to periodically renew that registration is eliminated, and it is guaranteed that they will not be subject to more onerous conditions than nationals.
From an operational perspective, the administrations of the Member States must:
- Review and adapt their electoral registration procedures for non-national community citizens.
- Eliminate any unjustified additional requirement imposed on these citizens compared to nationals.
- Establish or adapt mechanisms for exchanging information with other Member States on electoral disqualifications.
- Ensure that registered citizens remain in the electoral roll without the need for periodic reconfirmations, as long as they continue to meet the requirements.
Who does it affect?
- EU citizens residing in another Member State: are the main beneficiaries. They will be able to register in the municipal electoral roll with the same procedures as nationals and participate in local elections both as voters and candidates.
- Electoral administrations of the 27 Member States: must adapt their registration systems, their registration requirements, and their mechanisms for exchanging information on disqualifications.
- Political parties and local candidacies: will be able to count on non-national EU citizens as candidates on their municipal lists on equal terms.
- Electoral control bodies: must verify compliance with the new access standards and the correct application of information exchange on disqualifications.
Practical example
A German citizen who has been residing in Valencia for three years and wants to run as a candidate in the upcoming municipal elections. Until now, she could find that Spain required her to provide documentation or additional procedures that were not requested of Spanish citizens to register in the electoral roll.
With Directive 2026/1194 in force, Spain—like all other Member States—is obliged to apply exactly the same registration requirements to her as to any Spanish citizen. Once registered, she remains in the electoral roll under the same conditions as nationals as long as she continues to meet the requirements, without the need to renew her registration periodically. If there were any electoral disqualification against her in Germany, the German and Spanish authorities would exchange that information through the new harmonized system provided for in the directive.
What should administrations and citizens do now?
- Electoral administrations: immediately review the electoral roll registration procedures for non-national EU citizens and eliminate any unjustified additional requirement compared to nationals.
- Electoral administrations: adapt information exchange systems with other Member States for the communication of electoral disqualifications, as required by the directive.
- EU citizens residing in another Member State: verify if they are registered in the municipal electoral roll of the country of residence and, if not, initiate the procedure taking advantage of the new simplified conditions.
- Local political parties: inform their teams about the possibility of including non-national EU citizens as candidates on their municipal lists, with the same rights and conditions as nationals.
- Legal and compliance advisors: update compliance analyses for clients with presence in several EU Member States, especially regarding candidacies and registration requirements.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly changes with Directive 2026/1194 compared to the previous regulation?
Directive 2026/1194 consolidates and replaces Directive 94/80/CE. The main changes are: equating the electoral registration procedures of non-national EU citizens to those of nationals, elimination of unjustified additional requirements, automatic permanence in the electoral roll once registered (without periodic renewals), and establishment of a system for exchanging information between Member States on electoral disqualifications.
Since when is the new directive on municipal voting for EU citizens in force?
Directive (EU) 2026/1194 was published on 4 June 2026 and entered into force on the same day. Member States must apply its provisions and adapt their national regulations accordingly.
Can an EU citizen run as a candidate in municipal elections in Spain if they are not Spanish?
Yes. The directive expressly recognizes the passive voting right (right to run as a candidate) for EU citizens residing in a Member State of which they are not nationals. The procedures for exercising this right must be the same as those required of nationals, without unjustified additional requirements.
What happens if an EU citizen is electorally disqualified in their country of origin?
Directive 2026/1194 expressly regulates the exchange of information between Member States on electoral disqualifications. If a citizen has a disqualification in their country of origin, the competent authorities of both countries will exchange that information so that they cannot exercise electoral rights that have been deprived.
Do EU citizens already registered have to renew their electoral roll registration?
No. Once registered in the electoral roll of the Member State of residence, non-national EU citizens remain in it under the same conditions as nationals, without the need for periodic renewals, as long as they continue to meet the established requirements.
Official source
Consult the complete regulation in official source
Notice: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/./legal-content/AUTO/?uri=OJ:L_202601194