This is lesson 21 of the second module of EUPress Teacher Training, which covers the macro topic of ‘EU Citizenship and Democracy’.
This lesson will investigate EU electoral rights.
All citizens of the Union have the right to vote and run for office
in municipal elections in the EU country where they reside, under the same conditions as nationals of that country.
This right is protected by Article 40 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights.
Every EU citizen has the right to vote and stand as a candidate in both municipal and European Parliament elections, even when residing in a member state different from their own. Yet, as data shows, many are not fully aware of these rights — and this knowledge gap has consequences for democratic participation at the EU level.
What the law actually says
The right to vote and be elected is enshrined in Article 20 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) and Article 40 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. These provisions ensure that EU nationals can vote just like local citizens in the country where they reside — under identical conditions.
Yet a 2020 Eurobarometer survey reveals that only 58% of respondents could correctly identify which elections an EU citizen can take part in while living abroad, and a further 35% were either wrong or unsure. Misunderstanding these rights is one of the reasons behind persistently low turnout rates in European Parliament (EP) elections.
Why turnout matters — and why it stays low
Despite being the world’s largest transnational democratic vote, EP elections routinely attract only 30–50% voter turnout, far below participation in national elections. The lecture points to several contributing factors:
- Perceived complexity and lack of information
- The “second-order” status of EP elections, often overshadowed by national politics
- Absence (for now) of transnational electoral lists, which would allow voters to choose candidates from other EU countries
Debating transnational lists and new voting models
The European Parliament has long debated the creation of EU-wide electoral lists to make the election process more European and less nationally focused. The proposal has gained some ground — but the Council has yet to adopt it. If ever implemented, it could raise awareness of EU policy debates and create more direct links between voters and Europe’s political space.
Other ideas include:
- Holding national and EU elections on the same day
- More actively promoting information on EU electoral processes
- Simplifying procedures for mobile citizens, who are legally entitled to vote in their country of residence while retaining rights in their home state
A shared responsibility
As the lecturer highlights, the problem is not just institutional — it is also cultural. EU citizens are largely unaware of how EU institutions work and what the Parliament does for them. Increasing turnout will require better communication, stronger political engagement, and institutions that reflect the democratic values they aim to protect.
