Can I register to vote in Ireland?
Yes if you're 18 or over and ordinarily resident — what you can actually vote in depends on your citizenship. You can register if you're 18+ and resident in the State. For Dáil (general) elections, voters are Irish and UK citizens resident here; presidential elections and referendums are Irish citizens only; European elections are open to Irish and other EU citizens; and local elections are open to any resident of any nationality. Register or update your details at checktheregister.ie (you'll need your PPS number and Eircode); the register is continuously updated, but you must be on it before the close of register for a poll. 16- and 17-year-olds can be added as pending electors. Irish citizens living abroad generally can't vote. In short: yes to register if resident, with what you can vote in set by citizenship.
📋 The rules
- Register if 18+ and ordinarily resident
- Dáil: Irish and UK citizens
- President/referendums: Irish citizens only
- Local elections: any resident, any nationality
- Register at checktheregister.ie (PPS + Eircode)
🔓 Exceptions
- 16/17-year-olds can register as 'pending electors'
- Postal voting is limited (diplomats, students away, Gardaí, illness, prisoners)
- Special voters can vote at a hospital or nursing home
⚠️ Penalties & fines
There are no fines — this is about eligibility. You must vote in person at your assigned polling station on polling day (typically 7am–10pm) unless you qualify for postal or special voting. Postal voting is restricted to specific groups — diplomats abroad, full-time students living away from their home registration, certain occupations (Gardaí, Defence Forces), people unable to attend due to disability or illness, prisoners, and anonymous electors. Special voters (in hospitals or nursing homes) can vote where they live, with a presiding officer. Beware a myth: "Irish emigrants can vote in Irish elections from abroad" is false — apart from a narrow exception for officials posted overseas, there's currently no general overseas vote for Irish citizens living abroad. To register: go to checktheregister.ie with your PPS number and Eircode.
📎 Official sources
- Electoral Commission — voter eligibility →
- Citizens Information — registering to vote →
- Citizens Information — the right to vote →
❓ Frequently asked
How do I register to vote in Ireland?
You register, or update your details, online at checktheregister.ie. You'll need your PPS number and your Eircode to verify your identity and address. The electoral register is now continuously updated rather than having a single annual deadline, but you must be registered before the close of register for a particular election or referendum.
Who can vote in Irish elections?
It depends on the election and your citizenship. Dáil general elections are open to Irish and UK citizens resident here. Presidential elections and referendums are for Irish citizens only. European elections include EU citizens resident in Ireland, and local elections are open to any resident, regardless of nationality.
Can I vote if I'm not an Irish citizen?
Yes, in some elections. Any resident, of any nationality, can vote in local elections. EU citizens resident here can also vote in European Parliament elections, and UK citizens can vote in Dáil general elections. However, only Irish citizens can vote in presidential elections and referendums, so your citizenship determines the full range of votes available to you.
Can I vote from abroad?
Generally no. Irish citizens living abroad can't usually vote and can't stay on the register. The main exception is for Irish officials and diplomats posted overseas, and their spouse or civil partner living with them. There's currently no general overseas vote for emigrants in Dáil, presidential or local elections.
Can under-18s register?
Yes, in advance. People aged 16 and 17 can apply to be entered on the register as 'pending electors'. This means they're added to the live register automatically once they turn 18, so they're ready to vote at the first eligible election after their birthday without having to remember to register at that point.
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