Voting in Portugal as an Expat

Portuguese local elections 2021


In portuguese local elections (municipal elections), representatives for the three local government bodies are chosen:
   - Parish Councils ("Juntas de Freguesia") / White ballot paper
   - Municipality Assemblies ("Assembleias Municipais") / Yellow ballot paper
   - Town Halls ("Câmaras Municipais") / Green ballot paper

If you are a non-portuguese citizen / expat living in Portugal, you can vote in the next local elections that will take place on September 26th, 2021, (Sunday).

You can also be a candidate for the party lists and be elected (but not for this year's elections, because you will not be in time to being admitted to a party list).

You can be registered at any time of the year up to 60 days before the next elections, at the parish council that corresponds to your address stated in your residence permit.

Non-portuguese citizens with a valid residence permit in Portugal have the right to be registered as voters. To participate in this year's elections, you must be registered until 28 July 2021.

Citizens are entitled to vote, if they are of:
- All member states of the European Union
- United Kingdom, Iceland, Norway
- Brazil, Cape Verde
- Argentina, Chile, Colombia, New Zealand, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela

Citizens are entitled to be candidates and to be elected if they are of:
- All member states of the European Union
- United Kingdom
- Brazil, Cape Verde


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FAQs:

- I am a foreign citizen residing in Portugal. Can I vote in local elections ?

Yes, as long as you are registered on the electoral roll.


- I am a foreign citizen and I live in Portugal. Can I register on the electoral roll?

Yes, provided that you are 17 years old and a citizen of:
- European Union Member State (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and The Netherlands);

- United Kingdom with residence in Portugal before Brexit;

- Brazil and Cape Verde, with legal residence in Portugal for more than 2 years;

- Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Iceland, Norway, New Zealand, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela or the United Kingdom after Brexit, with legal residence in Portugal for more than 3 years.


- I am a foreign citizen residing in Portugal. What should I do to register on the electoral roll?

You should go your parish council corresponding to your domicile indicated in your residence permit.

Find your parish council/ "Junta de Freguesia" here:

http://www.freguesias.pt/portugal.php

- Select District/"Distrito" in combo box,
- Then select Municipality/"Concelho" in combo box.
(Here you have the contacts of the town hall).
- Then select Parish council/"Freguesia" in the combo box
(Here you have the contacts of the parish council)


- I am a citizen of a European Union country and resident in Portugal. What documents do I need to register on the electoral roll?

- Identification Card;
- Residence Permit (Certificate of Registration for Citizens of the European Union; Certificate of Permanent Residence).
If the above documents do not state your address, you can, alternatively, prove your residence by presenting another document that clearly states your address (e.g. rental contract, utility bill).


- I am a UK citizen with residence in Portugal before Brexit. What documents do I need to register on the electoral roll?

- Identification Card;
- Residence Permit (Certificate of Registration for Citizens of the European Union; Certificate of Permanent Residence).
If the above documents do not state your address, you can, instead, provide proof of residence by presenting another document that clearly states your address (e.g. rental contract, utility bill).


- My residence permit has expired. Can I register to vote?

- Yes. Residence documents expired from 24 February 2020 are accepted, under the same terms, until 31 December 2021.


- When is voter registration suspended to participate in next elections?

On the 60th day before the election and until the election day.
During this period new registrations can't be made.


- Can I change my registration to a different place of residence?

The registration cannot be transferred to other location that differs from the parish of the address on your residence permit.


- How can I find out where I am registered?

At the parish council of your residence.


- How can I find out my electoral number?

The elector's number has been abolished. Polling stations are divided by voter's name.

To vote, all you have to do is to give your name to the chairperson of your polling station and present your civil ID document. Or any other official document with your photo, or by two voters who attest to their identity under oath, or by the unanimous recognition of the polling station members.


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Full text here:

https://www.cne.pt/faq2/141/5

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Further information here:

https://eportugal.gov.pt/cidadaos/votar

https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/r … dex_en.htm

https://www.acm.gov.pt/pt/-/sou-cidadao … rtuguesas-

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Results of the last local elections that took place in 2017:

https://www.eleicoes.mai.gov.pt/autarquicas2017/

You can check results by:
- DIstrict
- District and Council
- District, Council and Parish.



You can and should participate.