MIGRANT LIVES| Who Can and Cannot Vote in Spain?

 Hello, how are you? Welcome to this podcast, from the Canary Islands to the world.

In this episode, I delve into the lives of those who defy distance, language, and fear. Migrants who left behind the familiar to embrace the unknown. You'll hear stories of everyday courage, of human beings reinventing their world, of young people transforming rejection into strength. Because migrating isn't just about moving: it's about rebuilding.

Foreigners who do not hold Spanish nationality but are nationals of one of the countries that make up the European Union have the right to participate in both European Parliament elections and municipal and local elections, as outlined in Article 210 of the LOREG (Organic Law of the General Electoral Regime).

They can vote in both, although they must apply beforehand, and they also have the right to stand as candidates. However, they are barred from participating in regional and national elections.

Nationals of third countries with agreements with Spain can vote in municipal elections.

Foreign nationals from third countries (excluding those in the European Union) who have a reciprocal participation agreement with Spain "an participate in municipal elections, but only as voters (active suffrage); they cannot be candidates, Like EU citizens, they can vote in Spanish municipal elections, and reciprocally, Spaniards can vote in the local elections of these countries.

Those born in non-EU countries with an agreement with Spain must also meet other requirements, as the expert points out: five years of legal residency in Spain, being over 18 years of age, and completing the administrative procedures to request the right to vote and to be included in the electoral register for each election.

In  municipal elections, residents of Spain who are nationals of Bolivia, Cape Verde, Chile, Colombia, South Korea, Ecuador, Iceland, Norway, New Zealand, Paraguay, Peru, the United Kingdom, and Trinidad and Tobago will be able to vote, thanks to a reciprocal voting agreement signed with Spain.

Thank you for joining us on this journey of humanity and resilience. If this story resonated with you, please share it. And if you have a story to tell, write to me. Until the next episode!

Patricia López Muñoz

Student of English Studies

Higher Technician in Sociocultural Animation

Specialist in Immigration

Higher Technician in Social Integration