MPG Publishes Policy Brief on Voting Rights for Non-EU and EU Citizens
Bridging Gaps in Political Participation: Voting Rights for Third-Country Nationals and EU Citizens in the EU
On 14 November 2024, Migration Policy Group is launching its policy brief which examines the state of active voting rights for non-citizens across the EU.
It highlights discrepancies in voting rights between EU mobile citizens and third-country nationals (TCNs), focusing on local, regional, and national elections. While EU mobile citizens generally have broader voting rights at the municipal level, TCNs face more restrictive policies, often requiring long-term or permanent residency status. Only 14 EU countries grant voting rights at the municipal level.
The brief argues that extending voting rights, especially at the local level, can foster integration and democratic engagement. Countries like Sweden and Finland are noted for their inclusive policies, while others – such as Austria, Germany and France – maintain more restrictive practices.
Policy recommendations made by the brief include granting local voting rights to TCNs and regional and national voting rights to mobile EU citizens, encouraging EU-wide standardisation of voting rules, and promoting integration through inclusive citizenship policies which combine the granting of voting rights with fair conditions for naturalisation.
The brief suggests that EU institutions could play a larger role in harmonising voting rights to support broader democratic participation by non- citizens.
About the Migration Policy Group (MPG)
MPG is an independent think-and-do-tank based in Brussels. MPG’s purpose is rooted in its ability to inspire networks to provide evidence-based projects, research and campaigns in the areas of integration, migration and anti-discrimination.