Your Step-by-Step Guide to Empadronamiento

Everything you need to know to get registered at your local town hall in Spain.

What is Empadronamiento and Why Do I Need It?

The Certificado de Empadronamiento, often called the "padrón," is an official document that proves you are registered as a resident in a specific municipality in Spain. It’s essentially your proof of address.

Getting registered on the padrón is a legal requirement for anyone living in Spain for more than six months, regardless of nationality. It is one of the most fundamental steps to settling in Spain, as it is required for almost all administrative procedures, including:

Applying for or renewing your TIE (residency card).
Accessing public healthcare.
Enrolling children in school.
Buying or selling a vehicle.
Getting married.

Required Documents

At your appointment, you must bring the following original documents and photocopies:

Application Form (Hoja de Inscripción Padronal)

This is the official registration form. You can usually download it from your local town hall's (Ayuntamiento) website or pick it up in person. It must be filled out with the details of everyone living at the address.

Valid Identification

You must present the original and a photocopy of your valid passport. If you already have a TIE or NIE card, bring that as well.

Proof of Address

This is the most critical document and proves you live at the property. You can use:

Rental Contract (Contrato de Alquiler): A recent contract (less than 5 years old) in your name. It must be in Spanish.
Deeds (Escritura): If you own the property, the property deeds.
Utility Bill: A recent electricity, water, or gas bill in your name.
Authorization from the Owner: If you are living with someone and not on the rental contract, you need a signed authorization letter from the property owner or the main tenant, along with a copy of their DNI/NIE and the rental contract or deeds.

What Is the Appointment Like?

The appointment takes place at your local Ayuntamiento (Town Hall). In larger cities, this might be at a specific district office (Oficina de Atención a la Ciudadanía).

During the appointment, a civil servant will review your documents, enter your details into the system, and print your registration certificate, known as the "Volante de Empadronamiento". You will typically receive this certificate on the spot.

Be Prepared

Make sure all your documents are in order and you have both originals and photocopies. Officials are often very strict, and missing a single paper could mean you need to book another appointment.

What Happens After?

Once you have your "Volante de Empadronamiento," you are officially registered! This certificate is usually valid for three months for administrative purposes. If you need a more recent one later, you can easily request an updated copy from the town hall, often online.

Remember, if you move to a new address, you must update your empadronamiento at the new town hall. For non-EU citizens, it's also a requirement to renew your padrón registration every two years.