AttentionIn brief: If you have been here for five years or you are an EU citizen, you can vote in the local elections. But you must sign up before 31 July. Online it takes less than five minutes via this website.
The basics about registering to vote in the local elections
Who can vote in the local elections?
- To vote, you have to be 18 or older.
- EU nationals can vote as soon as they arrive.
- Non-EU citizens can vote if they have been here legally for five consecutive years.
- For British citizens, which category you fall in, depends on when you arrived - details in our FAQs here.
Do I have to register to vote?
- Yes, internationals have to sign up if they want to be able to vote in the local elections. (Belgians get registered automatically.)
- In Belgium, voter registration must be completed 90 days before the vote.
- So, in 2024, you must have signed up by 31 July 2024.
- Did you already vote in previous local elections? Then you do not need to register again. You will automatically receive your voter invitation by post.
What are the deadlines for voting in the local elections?
- Sign-up by: Wednesday, 31 July 2024
- Vote on: Sunday, 13 October 2024
How do I sign-up to vote?
There are two ways:
- Online using your eID card or Itsme account via this website.
Tip: If you don’t have an Itsme account or an eID reader, you can use the Digipunt computers at the library to sign-up. - Using a form and posting or emailing this to your 'stad' or 'gemeente', e.g. for Leuven you can download the forms here.
Tip: Attach a photocopy of your ID to your form.
Is the sign-up process complicated?
Absolutely not. We tested this in the IHL office and using an Itsme account; we completed the process in 2 minutes. Our test subject said, "That was incredibly easy, probably the simplest paperwork task I have ever done in Belgium!"
Check out our video below to see for yourself how to do it.
4 Steps to voting in Belgium
- Sign up to vote by 31 July 2024
You can do this online or via a form from your stad or gemeente (e.g. Stad Leuven).
- Start researching
The final candidates won’t be available until September, but you can start learning about the political parties in your area, or take the national “Stem-test” to learn about parties that match your priorities.
- Keep your voter invitation safe
This will reach you by post in the weeks before the elections - so keep a close eye on your mail. You must take this letter with you on the day.
- Go to your polling station on 31 October
Be sure to check your invitation so that you turn up at the correct polling station they are usually very close to your home address.
FAQs and misconceptions
Can I be fined if I don’t vote?
No. There used to be laws about mandatory voting once you've registered. But municipal elections are NO LONGER mandatory in Flanders as of this year. Also, international voters can de-register if they want after the elections and they are automatically de-registered if they move permanently abroad.
What if I can’t go to the polling station?
You can request a proxy vote and ask someone to vote for you.
Can I still vote in my home country?
Yes! You can vote in the municipal elections and still vote in your home country.
Will registering affect my residence status or finances?
No! Voter information is confidential.
I’ve been asked to help at the polling station. Is this compulsory?
Yes! This is a little like jury duty: You have to do it or have a very good reason not to. If you cannot fulfill the role, you must contact them within 48 hours of receiving the summons. Practically speaking, the chances of a non-native Dutch speaker being asked to work at the polling station are very low.
Who can I vote for?
- The final list of candidates will only be available in September.
- You can get an overview of the Flemish parties via VRT’s one-minute explainers or even their “stem-test” which helps you find parties that align with your priorities by asking you some simple questions (in NL). All available on VRT's election page.
- Be aware that the options in the municipal elections might be different from the national level, e.g. there may be coalitions or independent candidates.
- You’ll receive plenty of pamphlets in the post. You can use these to learn about your local candidates.
- IHL will continue to share information and find impartial ways to help you learn about the local candidates.
