Padrón Registration (Empadronamiento) in Spain

What it is

Every person living in Spain should be registered in the padrón municipal of the town where they live. The certificate of registration, the certificado de empadronamiento, is requested by police offices for TIE and EU certificate applications, by health centres, schools, and for many residence procedures that depend on how long you have lived in Spain.

Each town hall sets its own procedure. Some offer online applications, most require an appointment, and the documents they accept to prove your address can differ.

Who it is for

• New arrivals who need the certificate for their TIE or EU certificate.
• People renting a room whose name is not on the main lease.
• People living in a property owned or rented by a friend or relative.
• Residents who have moved and need to update their address.
• Families registering children for school or healthcare.

Documents usually needed

• Passport, NIE certificate, TIE or EU ID document.
• The town hall registration form, signed.
• Proof of address: your rental contract or title deed, or a signed authorisation from the owner or main tenant with a copy of their ID and their contract or deed.
• For minors, the documents of the parents and the family book or birth certificate.

Each town hall decides which documents it accepts. When the contract is not in your name, preparing the authorisation correctly is what makes the difference.

How we handle it

1. Check your situation. We confirm who holds the lease or deed and what your town hall accepts.
2. Paperwork. We prepare the form and, if needed, the authorisation for the owner or main tenant to sign.
3. Appointment or online filing. We book the appointment or file online where the town hall allows it.
4. Certificate. We tell you which type of certificate to request for your next procedure (individual, collective or historical).

Timeframes

Depending on the town hall, registration can be completed in a few days or take some weeks if appointments are scarce. Certificates are often issued on the spot once you are registered.

Price

From 60 € + VAT. Many town halls issue the certificate free of charge; some charge a small fee. When the padrón is part of a TIE or EU certificate procedure handled by us, we quote it as a pack.

Frequently asked questions