The United Kingdom will allow voting at age 16 with a credit card.

The change in age will be possible in the next general elections. It seeks to strengthen and modernize democracy and is justified by the fact that 16- and 17-year-olds can work, pay tuition, and join the military.

The United Kingdom announced today that it is lowering the voting age from 18 to 16. This will be possible starting with the next general election, scheduled for 2029. In the country, 16- and 17-year-olds were already eligible to vote in the Scottish and Welsh parliamentary elections.

This is a promise that Labour took to the polls last year. "This means that young people, who already contribute to society by working, paying taxes, and serving in the military, will be given the right to vote on issues that affect them," Downing Street explained this morning.

The Labour government believes this shift will "strengthen the connection with democracy in a changing world and help restore confidence in British democracy."

Most countries, including Spain, allow voting at age 18. Among those that do, only Austria (16) and Greece (17) are allowed in Europe, according to the World Population Review . In Brazil, Argentina, and Ecuador, the voting age is 16.

These changes will need to be approved in a future law, which also plans to automate electoral roll registration and introduce new ways for citizens to prove their identity when voting, given that the United Kingdom does not have a document equivalent to an ID. As a new feature, voters will be able to use a veteran's card or a bank card issued in the United Kingdom (96% of the population has a current account, and most have one, which presumably has been filtered to verify the holder's address).

Furthermore, the Government aims to improve transparency and prevent outside interference. Donations of more than £500 from unregistered entities will be subject to new requirements and controls. Those who break financial rules will be fined up to half a million pounds.

Another change will introduce harsher sentences for those who intimidate, abuse, or harass candidates, voters, election staff, and campaign activists. In 2024, 55% of candidates experienced abuse, according to a survey.

Deputy First Minister Angela Rayner said: "We are taking action to remove barriers to participation that will ensure more people can engage with British democracy. We cannot take democracy for granted, and by protecting it from abuse and encouraging participation, we strengthen the future foundations of our society."