Empadronamiento in Spain: how to register your address

What is empadronamiento?

Empadronamiento means registering your home address at the town hall, or ayuntamiento. The register is called the padrón. Everyone who usually lives in Spain must register in the municipality where they live, including foreign nationals.

The padrón records a municipal address. It is not proof of legal residence in Spain and is separate from visas, TIE cards and other immigration procedures.

Separate from immigration procedures

For a normal padron registration, the town hall should not check your immigration status. EU citizens staying in Spain for more than three months may also need to register their residence with the immigration authority or police. That is a different process.

How to register on the padrón

1. Find the right town hall.

   Register at the ayuntamiento for the municipality where you usually live. Search for it in the official directory of local entities, or search online for ayuntamiento plus your town name and look for the official .es site. Check whether you need an appointment.

   Official Town Hall Directory

2. Prepare your documents.

   Bring your passport or national ID and proof of your address.

3. Complete the form.

   Fill in the hoja padronal with your details and address.

4. Submit the application.

   A clerk checks the form and documents. Registration is free.

5. Request proof.

   Ask for a volante or formal certificado de empadronamiento. A small municipal fee may apply to the formal certificate.

Documents you need

Requirements vary by municipality. Check the town hall website before your appointment.

• Passport or national ID for each person registering
• Rental contract or property deed
• Authorisation from the owner or main tenant, plus their ID, if you are not named on the contract
• A recent utility bill as extra proof, if requested. It is never enough on its own
• The town hall's registration form

If your address is not recognised or you cannot get an appointment, contact the ayuntamiento and ask what alternative proof or booking method it accepts.

Why the padrón matters for work

Your registered address helps the regional employment service and SEPE identify the office that covers you. Jobseeker registration, or demanda de empleo, is normally handled by the regional employment service. SEPE mainly handles unemployment benefits.

An authority may ask for a recent volante when you change your address, register as a jobseeker for the first time or complete a specific procedure. This does not mean every benefit claim needs one. See our guide to registering as unemployed in Spain. You can also read about your Spanish social security number.

Voting in local elections

The padrón alone does not give you the right to vote. EU citizens must declare their intent and join the electoral roll. Non-EU citizens can vote only where a reciprocity agreement and the required conditions apply.

Common problems

No appointment slots

Check the booking page regularly and call the town hall. Some municipalities use different systems for appointments and walk-ins.

No contract in your name

Ask the owner or main tenant for written authorisation and a copy of their ID. Ask the town hall about other accepted proof if this is not possible.

Your certificate is too old

Many authorities want a volante or certificado issued recently, commonly less than three months old. Request a new copy. The registration itself has not expired.

Moving to another town

Register at the new town hall. Your old registration is closed automatically, so you do not need to cancel it yourself.