On May 7, 2024, the law changed meaning that EU citizens are no longer automatically entitled to register to vote or stand as a candidate in certain elections in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

In Wales, this change (part of the UK Government Elections Act 2022) removes the rights of some EU citizens to vote and stand in Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) elections.

These changes won’t affect you if you’re a citizen of the Republic of Ireland or a Commonwealth nation, but might mean a change if you are a citizen of a different EU nation.

As part of the changes, Wrexham Council’s electoral team are legally required to check whether each EU citizen in the county borough is eligible to register to vote and will contact you to either confirm you are still eligible or ask for more information. This may include information to help them confirm your immigration status.

Which EU citizens, living in Wales, are able to vote in PCC elections?

  • Citizens of Denmark, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal or Spain who have permission, or do not need permission, to enter or stay in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man
  • Citizens of any other EU country who, on or before December 31, 2020 had permission, or do not need permission, to enter or stay in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man, and this has continued without a break
  • If you have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, except if you applied as a joining family member, you are eligible to vote in PCC elections
  • If on or before December 31, 2020, you were resident in the UK, channel Islands or Isle of Man, and this has continued without a break, you are eligible to vote in PCC elections
  • If on or before December 31, 2020, you were resident in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man, but did not need permission to enter or stay because you were exempt from immigration controls, and this has continued without a break, you are eligible to vote in PCC elections

* Permission to enter to stay in the UK, channel Islands or Isle of Man means you have a legal immigration status

To find out which elections you are able to vote in, you can also use the Electoral Commission’s online tool.

If you have specific questions about your electoral registration, you can contact Wrexham Council’s electoral team at electoral@wrexham.gov.uk.

You can find out more about how these changes may affect you on the Electoral Commission’s Changes for EU citizens webpage.