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There are millions of Americans living overseas, and a large community is located in southern Spain. However, with so few of them voting, their electoral influence is not fully utilized.
Voting abroad is easy. Voting abroad is possible for any American citizen who has reached voting age.
You can get your ballot while enjoying a coffee in Malaga, Madrid, or Mallorca.
Voting in Spain
No matter where you live or what you are, every U.S. Citizen over 18 years old has the right and privilege to vote at federal elections.
This includes dual citizens, long-term retired Americans, professionals working abroad, students studying abroad, and U.S. Citizens who have never been to the United States.
The rules for this last group vary from state to state. However, most states allow Americans born abroad the right to vote by using their parent’s U.S. citizenship and last American address.
Three steps to voting in Spain
Three simple steps are required to vote from abroad. All three can be completed online, for free.
Step 1- Register and Request a Ballot
Americans living abroad can register for an absentee vote and also request one using a federal form called the Federal Post Card Application.
To remain active, the form must be filled out every year. It is easiest to use VoteFromAbroad.org. This site guides users through state-specific questionnaires and creates a form that’s ready to submit in less than ten minutes.
Step 2 — Receive your ballot
After the FPCA has been approved, the local office of elections sends a blank vote, usually by email, fax or postal mail depending on the voter’s choice and the state rules. The majority of states send overseas ballots 45 days prior to a federal election. Americans living in Spain are encouraged to use electronic delivery to avoid delays caused by international mail.
Step 3 – Return the ballot
State laws governing voting differ. Some states accept votes via email or online upload, while others require postal delivery. Sending a ballot back to Spain via mail is a good idea. The delivery time to the U.S. varies from one to three week. Ballots that are late could not be counted.
Americans’ concerns about Spain
Among U.S. expats living in Spain, there are a few common questions.
“I’ve never lived in the United States.”
Many Americans who were born abroad or who fled the country as a child, believe they cannot vote. In most states they can. In most states, the voting state is the state where the parent of a U.S. Citizen has lived the longest. The FPCA form at VoteFromAbroad.org takes this into account.
Delivery of mail from Spain
The Spanish postal service is reliable to the U.S., but paper international mail can take longer to arrive. Sending early is important for those ballots which must be mailed. Voters should opt for electronic ballot delivery and return whenever a state permits it.
Does registering impact U.S. tax?
It is a common concern among Americans living abroad. The short answer to this question is no. However, the VoteFromAbroad.org Q&Ais a recommended resource for an in-depth explanation.
The 2026 U.S. Midterm elections
The midterm elections in 2026 will determine all 435 seats of the House of Representatives, and approximately one third of the Senate. Also included are state and local offices across the country.
Americans who wish to vote in Spain should submit their FPCA as early as possible in order to receive a ballot in time.
Even voters who have registered before must submit the form annually.
How to begin
VoteFromAbroad.org is the simplest way to get started. This site is free and guides users through each step. It supports both English and Spanish and has a Voter Helpdesk to provide personal assistance. Americans can register to vote in Spain in less than ten minutes.
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