While the world is facing rising conflicts, displacement and migration, Europe is facing a demographic crisis with aging populations and declining birth rates. To address this, the EU and its Member States have considered increasing immigration but have largely neglected the political participation of the people who stay long enough to obtain long-term residency. As the non-EU population is growing in numbers, these individuals currently lack the opportunity for direct political participation and voting rights in European elections, even with a long-term residency status. This research focuses on the political rights of long-term non-EU residents in the Union. It argues that the current system, which limits voting rights solely to EU citizens, is inconsistent with the EU’s commitment to human rights and democracy. The study aims to examine the potential benefits of extending voting rights to long-term residents and challenges the concept that such rights should be exclusive to EU Member State citizens. The research finds that including long-term residents in the electoral process could enhance integration, economic growth, and democratic values within the Union. By recognizing these individuals as full members of the society, the EU can create a more inclusive and representative democracy. However, the study acknowledges the need for further research to develop concrete proposals for implementing such a change. The thesis concludes that the EU should reconsider its approach to political participation to better align with the demands of the current global order and its human rights commitments. Granting voting rights to long-term residents would not only be a step towards a more just and equal society but also a practical measure to address the challenges posed by demographic change and increasing migration.