How you vote when you’re abroad depends on:

• whether you’ll be abroad temporarily or living abroad
• where you want to vote

We strongly advise that you appoint a proxy to vote on your behalf instead of a postal vote.

Postal votes will not be sent until around 10 days before an election.

If you will be abroad temporarily

If you will be abroad temporarily on election day (for example on holiday or a work trip) then you can either:

• apply to vote by post
• apply to vote by proxy (appoint someone else to vote on your behalf)

If you’re moving or living abroad

You can vote in UK Parliament elections, and in some referendums. Each referendum has different rules on who can vote in it.

You need to register on GOV.UK as an overseas voter.

If you are eligible, you will then need to:

• apply to vote by post
• apply to vote by proxy (appoint someone else to vote on your behalf)

You will be asked to make this choice when you register.

Renewing your overseas registration

Your registration lasts up to 3 years.

You will not be able to renew online. We will send you a reminder when it’s time to renew.

If you do not renew your registration, you’ll be removed from the register and must make a new application in order to vote again.

Serving abroad in the armed forces

Register to vote using the armed forces registration service.

If you’re serving outside the UK, you can register as a ‘service’ voter. This means that you only have to renew your registration every 5 years. You’ll get a reminder when it’s time to renew.

Crown servants and British Council employees

Use the registration service for Crown servants and British Council employees if you’re based outside the UK working as a:

• Crown servant (for example overseas civil service or diplomatic service)
• British Council employee