Entry for a foreigner in the annex to the voter list for municipal elections

Main information

EU citizens have the right to vote in elections to municipal assembly in the Czech Republic. However, they are obliged before the elections to apply to be entered in annex to the voter list

Third country nationals do not have the right to vote in municipal elections in the Czech Republic.

This applies to you if

You have the right to vote if you:

• are an EU citizen;
• are at least 18 years of age on the second day of the election;
• are resident in the Czech Republic as of the election day (have a permanent residence permit for an EU citizen or certificate of temporary residence for an EU citizen).

If you meet all the conditions, you are obliged to apply for entry in the annex to the voter list.

Although a person may be a voter and be registered to vote, some facts may prevent him from voting. The following are legal impediments:

• statutory restriction of personal liberty due to a custodial sentence (you are in prison);
• restriction of the right to exercise the right to vote (a court has explicitly ruled that you are not able to vote);
• statutory restriction on personal liberty for reasons of public health protection (you are, for example, in quarantine or in the infectious disease department of a hospital at the time of the election).

When to use this service

You can apply to be entered at any time, but at the latest 2 days before election day (i.e. on the Wednesday before the election up to 16.00).

Vyřízení služby - osobně

What you need if you are using this service

For an application in person you must prove:

• your proof of identity (in particular a valid home Member State identity card or travel document),
• your citizenship of an EU country (in particular by a valid home Member State identity card or travel document)
• and of your residence in the Czech Republic (a permanent residence permit for an EU citizen or a certificate of temporary residence for an EU citizen).

In the written application, state your:

• name,
• surname,
• date of birth,
• address of residence in the Czech Republic,
• and that you are applying to be entered in the voter list.

You can use the application form, which is always available here after the election date is announced in the Collection of Laws, along with other information about the elections.

Where and how to solve this service

Submit the application to municipal office at the location of your registered residence in the Czech Republic.

In Prague, Brno, Ostrava, Plzeň, Ústí nad Labem, Pardubice, Opava and Liberec at the office of your city district.

Contacts for individual offices are available here.

The municipal office will enter you in the voting list. In the event that your application is incomplete or the municipal authorities have additional questions, they will ask you to correct or supplement it.

Vyřízení služby - elektronicky

What you need if you are using this service

In the written application, state your:

• name,
• surname,
• date of birth,
• address of residence in the Czech Republic,
• and that you are applying to be entered in the electoral register.

You can use the application form, which is always available here after the election date is announced in the Collection of Laws, along with other information about the elections.

Where and how to solve this service

Submit the application to municipal office at the location of your registered residence in the Czech Republic.

In Prague, Brno, Ostrava, Plzeň, Ústí nad Labem, Pardubice, Opava and Liberec at the office of your city district.

Contacts for individual offices are available here.

You may submit your application to the municipal office via data mailbox or by email with a recognised electronic signature.

The municipal office will enter you in the voter list. In the event that your application is incomplete or the municipal authorities have additional questions, they will ask you to correct or supplement it.

Additional information

What is the benefit of this service

You can take part in public life in your municipality, by electing your representatives.

Appeal options

You can at any time verify at your municipal office that you are enrolled on the voting list.

If you find an error, you can request a correction or addition to the information. The municipal authority is obliged to comply within 48 hours or to inform you in writing of the reasons why your request cannot be complied with.

Each voter also has the option to turn to the Regional Court, if he/she finds errors or shortcomings in the voting list in their case.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I vote?

In the municipality where you are resident.

In Prague, Brno, Ostrava, Plzeň, Ústí nad Labem, Pardubice, Opava and Liberec, you can vote both for the assembly of the whole city and for the assembly of individual city wards or city districts.

Must I apply for registration before every election?

No. You will be automatically entered in the annex if you continue to meet all the conditions (in particular, residence in the Czech Republic).

How long will I be enrolled in the annex?

Once registered in the voter list, you will be recorded there until you yourself request deletion or for as long as you continue to meet all legal conditions.

Example: For example, if you move to another municipality within the Czech Republic, you will automatically be listed in the electoral register in the new municipality. But if you leave the Czech Republic completely, you will no longer meet the conditions of residence and you will be removed from the register.

Is voting compulsory?

No. Voting is not compulsory in the Czech Republic.

May I vote in the municipal elections in my own Member State?

Yes. The entry has no effect on your entry in the voting list in your home country.

Where can I find more information?

On the Ministerstva vnitra website.

You can submit individual questions to your municipal office, the relevant regional office or the elections department of the Ministry of the Interior (volby@mv.gov.cz).