How do Belgian expats vote outside Europe?

With the elections just around the corner in June, Belgian nationals are preparing to exercise their right to vote. But what about Belgian expats living elsewhere in the world?

If you vote in Belgium as an expat, it's simple: you receive your polling card at your registered address abroad and go to the polling station on 9 June. But what if you no longer have a permanent address in Belgium? What if you ventured abroad years ago to work, enjoy the sun or retire?

There are currently around 420,000 adult Belgian nationals living elsewhere who are eligible to vote. How can they vote?

How does the right to vote work?

If you move abroad, you are required to register with the embassy or consulate at least four months before the elections. After registering, you will receive a form on which you can state your choice of voting method.

If you are not registered, you risk not being able to vote as you would like. You may even have to return to Belgium to vote.

Voting in Belgium

In person

If you decide to vote in Belgium, you will receive your voting slip at the earliest on 25 May at the address where you are registered. On 9 June, between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. (for paper voting) or until 4 p.m. (for electronic voting), please show up at your municipal polling station with your polling card and ID.

By power of attorney

The authorised person receives a copy of the power of attorney form in addition to their own polling card. You will not receive any documents abroad.

Voting by consular post

In person

On Wednesday, 5 June between 1 and 7 p.m. local time, please report to the Belgian consular post where you are registered. Bring your polling card and ID card. You will receive your polling card at your foreign address on 25 May at the earliest.

By power of attorney

On Wednesday, 5 June, between1 and 7 p.m. local time, the authorised person should report to the consular office where they are registered and present their polling card and ID card. The authorised person will receive the power of attorney form at the polling station.

Voting by post

If you opt for postal voting, you will receive a ballot envelope containing the following:

• the voting slip
• a self-addressed envelope
• an identification form
• an information letter

Submit your vote on the voting slip and return it to Belgium using the enclosed envelope. You are responsible for the postage costs. The envelope must arrive at its destination in Belgium by 2 p.m. on 9 June at the latest.

Do you have any questions?

Please read the information on the website of the FPS Foreign Affairs (in French)(New window).

Would you like to know more? Contact us at overseas@onss.fgov.be or call us on +32 2 509 90 99. We will be happy to help you!