How to vote in Austria

The European elections take place in Austria on 9 June 2024.

Voters will elect 20 Austrian Members of the European Parliament in 2024, one more than in the 2019 elections.

Under EU law, all countries must use voting systems that ensure proportional representation, which means that the number of elected Members from each party depends on the share of electoral votes obtained by the party.
Austria uses preferential voting, which gives voters the option to indicate their preferences within the party list they choose. Candidates who receive the most preferences are more likely to be elected.

You should be able to find the election proposals online no later than on the 31st day before election day.

You should be able to find the election proposals online no later than on the 31st day before election day.

Political parties have to clear at least 4% of the votes in order to be elected to the Parliament.

In Austria there is just one national constituency, which means people from across the country choose from the same party lists.

No, there is no legal obligation to vote in the European elections in Austria.

You are eligible to vote in the European elections in Austria if you are:

1. at least 16 years old on election day
2. an Austrian or an EU citizen with a legal residence in Austria, or an Austrian citizen residing abroad
3. registered as a voter by the deadline
4. not banned from voting due to a judicial decision

As a voter in Austria, you usually vote in a polling station at your principal place of residence. However, you can also cast your vote by letter or in a different polling station provided you have a ballot. You can apply for it in your municipality.
Voting by postal ballot can take place immediately after receiving the voting card. The sealed voting card must be sent in good time to the electoral authority entitled to receive it, and voters must sign an affidavit that they have filled out the voting card personally, unobserved and uninfluenced.
The postal ballot may also be handed in at any Austrian embassy, consulate or honorary consulate, which will forward it free of charge to the electoral authority.
You may find all information on the website of the Austrian national authorities (in German).

Austrian citizen residing in Austria
You don't need to register. Austrian citizens who have their residence in Austria don’t need to register in advance, as this is done automatically by the authorities.

EU-citizen residing in Austria
You have to register to vote once in the municipality where your principal residence is. Once you are registered, you stay registered as long as you reside in Austria.

Austrian citizen without residence in Austria
You have to register to vote with your Austrian municipality. The registration is valid for ten years.
You can find more information on registering for the European elections and information on voting abroad (in German) on the websites of the Austrian authorities.

You should bring your ID.

You have the possibility to vote by mail or request a visit from a mobile electoral commission. People with physical or sensory disabilities, who cannot be expected to fill in the ballot without outside help, may be assisted by someone of their choice. Blind and visually impaired people can cast their votes using ballot paper templates.

You may find easy-to-read information about the European elections on the easy-to-read page of this website.

Yes, in Austria you may vote in the European elections by mail.
Ask for your postal ballot at your municipality. Votes can be cast immediately after receiving the postal ballot from the competent municipality. If you apply in writing, the voting card can also be sent to you by post.

No, online voting in the European elections is not possible in Austria.

No, voting by proxy in the European elections is not possible in Austria.