Certificado Empadronamiento (register in your town)

How to get the Registration Certificate

The ‘Certificado Empadronamiento: an explanation and a step-by-step guide on how to get your Certificado Empadronamiento (register at Townhall).

What is the Certificado Empadronamiento

The Padrón Municipal is the municipal register of your town of all the residents of a municipality. 
The word Empadronarse is the act of registering on this register.

There are two actions involved

1. Register yourself at the Townhall.
2. Get a Certificado Empadronamiento.

Costs: the registration is free, There is a small cost associated with the certificate.

When do I need a Certificado Empadronamiento?

• If you are residing in Spain longer than 6 months, you need to register.
• The Certificado Empadronamiento is the only way of proving (in Spain) you are really living at that specific address.
• If your house (hopefully not) is squatted, it is much easier to evict the squatters than if you are not registered.
• Enroll your children in school.
• Register for social security.
• Have access to the public health system.
• Apply for the regularization of a residence or work authorization.
• Certify your driving license in Spain (for residents of countries having an agreement with Spain).
• Have access to municipal services.
• Apply for the NIE (Numero de Identification de Extranjeros)
• Apply for residency (Residencia)
• Get married
• Vote
• Proof to the tax office of your country of origin you really moved to Spain. 

How to register

To sign up as a resident in your town, you should visit the town hall or the specific municipal offices. It’s advisable to schedule an appointment ahead of time, either online or by phone, as it is required in certain municipalities. Keep in mind that in some smaller towns, making a phone call or showing up in person is still the most effective way to secure an appointment.

Documents to present at the appointment

• Fill out the registration form (this is done on the same day of the appointment)
• Identity document: 
  – For Spanish citizens, original and photocopy of the DNI or passport.
  – For citizens who are members of the European Union, original and photocopy of the valid identity card, NIE or passport.
  – For citizens coming from third countries, valid residence permit or passport.
• Proof of your address:
  – Original of the deed of sale or simple note from the property register.
  – Original and photocopy of the rental contract with proof of the last rent.
• Original and photocopy of your contract or last bill of water, electricity, gas or IBI (Impuesto de Bienes Inmuebles).
• If you are requesting empadronamiento for all of your family members:
  – For minors, the DNI and the family record book.
  – If you are married: copy of the deed or family-book. 
  – For foreigners, valid residence permit or passport of each family member

Getting the certificate

The certificate serves as proof of residency registration. When registering in most towns, you may request the Residency Registration Certificate. Occasionally, you may need to visit another desk or return on a specific day, as each certificate must be stamped and signed by an authorized person. Please note that most services require a Residency Registration Certificate that is no more than three months old.

Renewal of Empadronamiento

If you find yourself in any of the situations listed below, you will not be required to renew your empadronamiento periodically.

• Citizen of a country of the European Union
• Citizen of a member country of the European Economic Area
• Holder of a residence permit as a family member of a European citizen
• Holder of a long-term residence permit

If you find yourself in a different scenario, you will need to update your empadronamiento every two years.

Change of address

If you move to a new home, make sure to submit a written request to register on the padron of your new municipality. This will prompt your previous municipality to update their records and remove you from their register.

• * See the page with general terms.