Elections and Brexit: Interior Ministry advice

The French Interior Ministry has created new information pages for Britons in France after Brexit; we have translated key sections of them.

Published Modified

I am a British national, will I be able to vote in the next European and municipal elections?

As from March 30, 2019, British nationals residing in France will no longer be able to participate in the election of French representatives to the European Parliament or in municipal elections. The nationality requirement (being a national of a member state of the European Union) provided for in article 2-1 of the Law of July 7, 1977 on the election of representatives to the European Parliament and article L. O. 227-1 for municipal elections will no longer be met and British nationals will therefore lose their right to vote in these elections.

British nationals who are also French nationals are therefore not concerned by the above. They will be able to vote in European elections provided they are registered on a municipality's electoral roll as a French citizen.

I am a British national, can I stand as a candidate in the next European and municipal elections?

As from March 30, 2019, British nationals residing in France will no longer be able to stand for election as French representatives to the European Parliament or for municipal elections. For municipal elections the nationality requirement (being a national of a member state of the European Union) provided for in article 5 of the Law of 7 July 1977 on the election of representatives to the European Parliament and article L. O. 228-1 for municipal elections will no longer be met and British nationals will therefore not be able to stand as candidates.

British nationals who are also French nationals are not concerned by the above. They will be able to vote in European elections provided they are registered on a municipality's electoral roll as a French citizen.

The municipal council of my commune has a British national sitting on it. Will they be able to continue their mandate until the next municipal elections?

British nationals who are municipal councillors on the evening of March 29, 2019, will not lose their mandate and will remain in office until the next renewal of the municipal councils. However, they will not be able to stand for re-election in the next municipal elections.

Travelling

Residency rights

Nationality

Integration

Driving licences

Stay informed:
Sign up to our free weekly e-newsletter
Subscribe to access all our online articles and receive our printed monthly newspaper The Connexion at your home. News analysis, features and practical help for English-speakers in France