Empadronamiento
Padrón Municipal Registration
Empadronamiento is your registration on the municipal census (padrón). It proves your address in Spain and is required for almost every administrative procedure, from healthcare to driving license exchanges.
The padrón municipal is Spain's population register maintained by each town hall (Ayuntamiento). When you register (empadronarse), you're officially recorded as living at that address. This seemingly simple registration is actually one of the most important documents you'll need in Spain - it's required for healthcare, schools, TIE renewals, voting rights (for EU citizens), and many other procedures.
Online notary available: Many of our services can be completed via online notary from the comfort of your home. Where in-person notarization is required or preferred, we can arrange this at a notary local to you.
What's Included
Documents Required
What you'll need to get started
Valid ID
Passport, NIE/TIE, or EU national ID card
Proof of address
One of: rental contract, property deed, or recent utility bill in your name
Landlord authorization
If renting: signed letter from landlord with their ID copy (we provide template)
Property owner documents
If staying with someone: their empadronamiento + signed authorization + ID copy
Application form
Hoja padronal - we complete this for you
Family book
If registering children: libro de familia or birth certificates
Rules & Regulations
Important information you should know
Mandatory Registration
By Spanish law, everyone living in Spain must register on the padrón of their municipality.
Address Accuracy
You must register at your actual residential address. Registering at a false address is illegal.
Update Requirements
You must update your empadronamiento whenever you move to a new address, even within the same city.
Non-EU Renewal
Non-EU citizens must confirm their empadronamiento every 2 years or risk being removed from the register.
Single Registration
You can only be empadronado at one address in Spain. Registering at a new address automatically cancels your previous registration.
Benefits
Why this matters for you
Healthcare Access
Required to register with your local health center and obtain a Tarjeta Sanitaria.
School Enrollment
Needed to enroll children in public schools in your catchment area.
TIE/Residency Applications
Required document for virtually all immigration procedures.
Driving License Exchange
Proves your residency for DGT procedures.
Voting Rights
EU citizens can vote in local elections after registering on the padrón.
Municipal Services
Access to local services, libraries, sports facilities, and social services.
How It Works
Your empadronamiento in four simple steps
Gather Documents
We provide a checklist: passport/TIE, rental contract or property deed, and landlord authorization if renting.
Book Appointment
We secure your cita previa at your local Ayuntamiento (town hall).
Attend & Register
Go to your appointment with the prepared documents. Registration takes about 10 minutes.
Receive Certificate
You receive your certificado de empadronamiento immediately, ready for other procedures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about empadronamiento
It's required for TIE renewals, healthcare registration, school enrollment, driving license exchange, and most official procedures in Spain.
If you're renting, you typically need a signed authorization from your landlord. We provide a template letter in Spanish.
Yes, with their written permission, a copy of their ID, and proof of their own registration at that address.
Non-EU citizens must confirm every 2 years. EU citizens don't need to renew unless they move address.
By law, landlords cannot prevent you from registering. If they refuse, the Ayuntamiento can verify your residency through other means. Contact us for advice.
Important Notice
Hola Gestoria is a private administrative service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of any Spanish government authority. We provide general support with paperwork and administrative processes. We are not a regulated gestoría administrativa, not a law firm, and do not provide legal advice or legal representation. All information is for general guidance only. If you require legal advice or formal legal representation, please consult a qualified lawyer in Spain.