How to vote in Denmark

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

Voters will elect 15 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. Denmark uses preferential voting, which gives voters the option to indicate their preference within the party list they choose. Candidates who receive the most preferences are more likely to be elected.

Candidates need to run for a registered political party. The Ministry of the Interior and Health maintains a list of the political parties eligible to stand for elections (in Danish). Each party has to submit its list of candidates to the Minister for Interior Affairs and Health no later than seven weeks before election day.

A list of eligible political parties is maintained by the Ministry of Interior Affairs and Health (in Danish). Each party has to submit its list of candidates to the Minister for Interior Affairs and Health no later than seven weeks before election day.

In Denmark, there is no official threshold for the European elections. In practice, as there will be 15 Members of the European Parliament from Denmark, each political party will need to get at least 6.7% of the votes to secure a seat in Parliament.

In Denmark, there is just one national constituency, which means that people across the country choose from the same list of candidates.

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

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

• at least 18 years old on election day
  
• a Danish or an EU citizen with a legal residence in Denmark, or a Danish citizen residing in another EU country
  
• registered as a voter by the deadline
  

The rules are listed on the webpage maintained by the Ministry of Interior Affairs and Health dedicated to the European elections.

Danish or EU citizen voting in Denmark
You have to vote in a specific polling station based on your home address. You can see your polling station on your poll card. However, you may cast your vote at another polling station in case of disability or impairment. For this, you need to apply for it no later than nine days at 12 pm before election day.

Danish citizen voting from another EU country
If you live permanently in another EU country, you can vote by mail. For this, you will have to register with the municipality of Copenhagen. You can apply in person or by sending your application to: Københavns Kommune, Folkeregistret Nyropsgade 7, DK-1602 København V, Danmark (Tel. +45 33 66 33 66 ; Email: folkeregister@kff.kk.dk). Once you are on the voting list, you can either vote in person or by mail from a Danish institution abroad, such as an embassy or a consulate.

Danish citizen voting from a country outside the EU
If you live outside the EU, you can only vote under certain conditions. Citizens who stay abroad but will return to Denmark within two years of their departure can vote. In addition, citizens who work abroad for a Danish institution or company, students and those working for a Danish charity organisation may maintain their right to vote under certain conditions. In order to vote, you have to apply in the Danish municipality you lived in before moving out of the country. Once on the voting list, you can vote in person or by mail via the Danish embassies and consulates abroad.

Danish citizen voting in Denmark
You do not need to register in advance, as it is done automatically by the authorities. However, if you have changed your home address recently, we advise you to check with your local municipality, whether your registration on the voting list is correct.

EU citizen voting in Denmark
If you were already registered on the voting list of the previous European elections in 2019, you don't need to take any action. Your registration will happen automatically.
If you were not registered at the time of the previous European elections in 2019, you have to register with your local municipality.

Danish voting from another EU country
If you live permanently in another EU country, you have to register with the municipality of Copenhagen. You can apply in person or by sending your application form to: Københavns Kommune Folkeregistret Nyropsgade 7 DK-1602 København V Danmark (Tel. +45 33 66 33 66 ; E-mail: folkeregister@kff.kk.dk).

Danish voting from a country outside the EU
If you live outside the EU, you can only vote under certain conditions. Citizens who stay abroad but will return to Denmark within two years of their departure can vote. In addition, citizens who work abroad for a Danish institution or company, students and those working for a Danish charity organisation may maintain their right to vote under certain conditions. In order to vote, you have to apply in the Danish municipality you lived in before moving out of the country. Once on the voting list, you can vote in person or by mail via the Danish embassies and consulates abroad.

It is recommended to bring your voting card. It is also recommended to bring ID, e.g. social security card (sundhedskort), passport or a driver's license.

As a voter with a disability or illnesses or because of other reasons you can get assistance to vote.
The assistance may be tables that can be lowered or raised or a magnifying glass for people who are vision impaired. The ballot paper can be read out loud in a sound-proof room for people who are vision impaired or blind, so others do not hear what vote is cast. Assistance will be provided by two people to ensure impartiality. Furthermore, you may cast your vote at another polling station in case of disability or impairment. For this, you need to apply for it no later than nine days at 12 pm before election day.
If you are ill or physically unable to go and vote, you can also vote from home. You can apply for this option at your municipality four weeks before election day, i.e. 12 May 2024, and no later than 12 days before, i.e. 28 May 2024 at 6 pm.

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

Yes, in Denmark it is possible to vote beforehand by mail.
Normally, postal voting can take place at any Citizen Service Centre in Denmark. It can be done during the last six weeks before election day, i.e. as of 28 April 2024, but no later than three days beforehand, i.e. 6 June 2024. You need to bring an ID and you will be asked to sign afterwards.
If you are ill or physically unable to go and vote, you can also vote from home. You can apply for this option at your municipality four weeks before election day, i.e. 12 May 2024, and no later than 12 days before, i.e. 28 May 2024 at 6 pm.

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

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