Empadronamiento in Spain: What to Bring 2026

The good news

It's generally one of the simpler procedures you'll face in Spain. But as with most things here every municipality does it slightly differently.

Every town hall is different

Before you go, check your local ayuntamiento's website. Some municipalities work by appointment only; others accept walk-ins. Some have a form you can download in advance; others hand it out at the desk. The exact documents required can vary too.

The information in this post covers what applies in most places across Spain. But the best advice remains: call or email your town hall beforehand, or simply show up and ask. Being prepared helps — but asking in person is always better than staying home because you're not sure you have everything right.

What to bring

Here's what to put in your folder before heading to the town hall.

Identification

• Original passport (plus a copy)

• EU citizens: a national identity card is also accepted in most cases

Proof of address — if you own your home

• The Escritura (title deed), or

• A recent Nota Simple (extract from the property register)

Proof of address — if you rent

• Original rental contract (for a minimum of 6 months)

• Copy of the landlord's ID

Additional proof of residence

• A utility bill (electricity or water) in your name may be requested, particularly if you've been living at the address for some time

The form

• The Hoja de Empadronamiento — available at the desk or downloadable from your municipality's website

Always bring both originals and copies. Not every town hall will ask for both, but you don't want to make a wasted trip.

How the form works

Every municipality technically has its own form, but the fields are almost identical everywhere. Here's what to expect:

Datos de la Vivienda — the address details of the property where you want to register.

Relación de personas que solicitan la inscripción — the names of everyone registering at this address. If you're registering with family members, they all go here.

Autorización de empadronamiento — this section only applies if you're moving into a property where someone is already registered. That person needs to give written permission. If you're the first person registering at the address, leave this blank.

Take your time filling it in and double-check everything. Name errors or a wrong address can cause problems further down the line.

The 3-month rule

Your Padrón registration itself doesn't expire. But the certificate — the certificado de empadronamiento — is a different matter. For most official applications (Green NIE, TIE, driving licence exchange), the certificate cannot be older than 3 months.

If you have an appointment coming up at a police station or government office, get a fresh certificate from your town hall first. Requesting one usually takes just a few minutes and is free of charge.