This year the three million British citizens living overseas got a massive – and long overdue - Christmas present: the right to vote (again) in UK national elections. From 16 January 2024 UK citizens will be able to re-register to vote in UK election.

Since 2002 the so-called 15-year rule has disenfranchised any British citizen who has lived outside the UK for more than 15 years. The Elections Act 2022 repealed this rule, but required the passing of secondary legislation to implement the change. This legislation was finally approved on 18 December 2023 – just in time for Christmas.

Our friends at the British in Europe (BiE) coalition have been instrumental in promoting and lobbying for this change and you can find more information including a FAQs blog on their website (see links below).

Don’t delay

With a UK general election due within the next 14 months, if you want to vote you should not delay in reclaiming your rights.

If you have been living outside the UK for less than 15 years then it may be wise to renew your voting registration as soon as possible as here may be a rush to register when the millions of currently disenfranchised UK citizens get their voting rights back on 16 January.

More information on the BiE blog.

FAQs on registration on the BiE blog.