To make it simpler for mobile EU citizens — EU citizens living in another Member State than the one they are from — to vote and stand as candidates in municipal elections: this is the aim of the revised directive announced today by the European Commission as part of “a broader effort to reinforce democracy across the EU, including by strengthening democratic institutions and free and fair electoral processes”. Under the new rules, Member States are required to provide timely, clear and comprehensible information on election dates, voting procedures and the rights of voters and candidates. The directive simplifies the registration process for both voters and candidates, and guarantees that mobile EU citizens have access to the same voting arrangements as nationals. There are 14 million mobile EU citizens living in another Member State, Commissioner for Democracy Michael McGrath pointed out. “Today’s entry into force will ensure that all of them can exercise their voting rights freely and without hurdles – which is an essential part of our democracies”. Member States will now have until 26 June 2028 to transpose the directive into their national laws.