Some British citizens currently dwelling outside the United Kingdom are allowed to vote under the Representation of the People Acts 1983 .
The Representation of the People Acts 1983 ( 1983 c. 2 ) and 1985 ( 1985 c. 50 ) , as amended , also permit certain British citizens ( but not other British nationals ) , who had once lived in the United Kingdom but had lived outside of the United Kingdom for less than 15 years , to vote .
European Union Referendum Act 2015