Brits in Switzerland can also vote on Brexit

May 2, 2016, 1 Comment

Over 41,000 Brits live in Switzerland and many of them can vote. Not necessarily in Switzerland but back in Britain, both in elections and in the forthcoming referendum about remaining in the European Union.

So if you are British and living in Switzerland (or anywhere else abroad for that matter), make sure you don’t miss out. Here’s how you can vote in the EU referendum on 23 June:

First, you must be a British citizen and have been registered to vote in the UK within the last 15 years. That normally means that if you have been abroad for more than 15 years, you will not be able to vote anymore.

Second, you must register to vote in the referendum. The easiest way is online here but note that the recommended deadline for overseas registration is 16 May.

Third, you will need your British passport (if you still have one) and your UK national insurance number, if you have one. If you don’t have either you can still register but may have to prove who you are.

Fourth, you can vote by post or by proxy so choose which is best for you. If you choose post, remember to leave enough time for the ballot to come out and go back again. Of course, you can also vote in person if you happen to be in the UK on 23 June.

Fifth, if you were too young to vote when you left the UK but are now old enough (ie you turned 18 at some point in the last 15 years), you can still register to vote as long as one of your parents was registered in the UK in the last 15 years.

For any other questions or more details, see the official website for overseas voters.

And remember that if, like me, you are Brit living in Switzerland (and without dual Swiss-British nationality), then your current residency visa is based on you being an EU citizen. This referendum – and so Brexit – affects you directly even though you are currently living outside the EU.

So what are you waiting for? Register today!