European Parliament elections: voting from 16, standing as a candidate from 18

From 07.11.2026, in European Parliament elections, an Estonian citizen who has turned 16 by election day has the right to vote, and an Estonian citizen who is at least 18 on election day has the right to stand as a candidate (EPVS § 4 lg 1 and 4) [1]. Until now these age limits were 18 and 21 [2].

What changes

• Voting: the right to vote belongs to an Estonian citizen „kes on valimispäevaks saanud 16-aastaseks“ (translation: who has turned 16 by election day) (EPVS § 4 lg 1) [1]. The same age limit applies to a citizen of the European Union without Estonian citizenship whose permanent residence is in Estonia and who has not been deprived of the right to vote in their state of origin (EPVS § 4 lg 2) [1]. Until now a voter had to have turned 18 (EPVS § 4 lg 1 and lg 2 p 1) [2].
• Standing as a candidate: an Estonian citizen and a citizen of the European Union who is at least 18 on election day may stand (EPVS § 4 lg 4 and lg 5 p 1) [1]. Until now a candidate had to be at least 21 on election day (EPVS § 4 lg 4 and lg 5 p 1) [2].
• Advance voting: a voter on the list of voters who is at least 16 on the day of advance voting may vote in advance (EPVS § 39 lg 2) [3]; until now at least 18 [4].
• What stays the same: a person who has been declared to lack active legal capacity as regards the right to vote, or who has been convicted of a criminal offence by a court and is serving a prison sentence, has no right to vote (EPVS § 4 lg 3) [1].
• According to the explanatory memorandum, the voting age in local council elections is already 16; in Riigikogu elections the right to vote belongs to an Estonian citizen who has turned 18, and this follows from the Constitution [5]. The change therefore does not affect Riigikogu elections.

Who is affected

• Estonian citizens aged 16 and 17, and citizens of other European Union states permanently residing in Estonia, who can vote in European Parliament elections (EPVS § 4 lg 1 and 2) [1].
• People aged 18–20, who can stand for the European Parliament (EPVS § 4 lg 4 and 5) [1].

What to do

• The age for voting and for standing is counted as of election day (EPVS § 4 lg 1 and 4) [1], for advance voting as of the day of advance voting (EPVS § 39 lg 2) [3].
• A person may vote and stand in the same European Parliament elections in only one member state of the European Union (EPVS § 4 lg 7) [1].