A record number of Belgians are participating in the upcoming elections from abroad. These expatriates can cast their votes either by post or at polling stations set up at Belgian
embassies and consulates on Wednesday.
According to Flemish newspaper Het Nieuwsblad, over 255,000 Belgians living abroad will take part in this year's elections, a significant increase from the 178,000 who voted in the 2019 elections. One factor contributing to this rise is the recent eligibility of 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in the European elections. A total of 1,900 young Belgians living abroad have registered to vote for the first time.
The number of Belgians residing abroad has also surged in recent years, from 476,653 in 2019 to over 537,000 currently. Voting remains compulsory for Belgians abroad, just as it is for those residing in Belgium, but expatriates must register to vote, which not all do. Additionally, Belgians living abroad can only vote in federal and European elections, not in regional elections unless they are domiciled in Belgium.
Most Belgians abroad vote by mail. The Federal Public Service (FPS) Foreign Affairs sent out 178,000 ballot papers to expatriates worldwide, with votes due by Sunday at 2 pm.
On Wednesday, 35,186 Belgians will vote in person at Belgian embassies or consulates. While most countries have only one voting location, Paris has five, and London has three polling stations.
Other voting options are available as well. Belgians abroad can choose to give a proxy to someone in their country of residence or to someone in Belgium.