Register your address (Empadronamiento)
Empadronamiento is mandatory address registration at your local town hall. Without it you cannot access the public health system, some banking, and other services. Do this within your first week in Spain.
Official sources
- Madrid — Padrón Municipal
Madrid residents
- Barcelona — Padró Municipal
Barcelona residents
- Málaga — Padrón Municipal (Sede Electrónica)
Málaga residents
The steps
- 1
Find your local ayuntamiento (town hall)
Go to the ayuntamiento (town hall) of the municipality where you live, not the city centre one necessarily — it depends on your address. Many municipalities also allow online registration or offer appointments at district offices.
madrid: Madrid has multiple oficinas de atención al ciudadano. Find the nearest one to your address at madrid.es. Online registration is available for many cases.barcelona: Barcelona allows online empadronamiento at barcelona.cat for some cases. Otherwise go to the nearest oficina d'atenció al ciutadà (OAC).malaga: Register at Málaga's main ayuntamiento or at district offices (Juntas de Distrito). Some services are available online via sede.malaga.eu. - 2
Gather your documents
Requirements are simple: proof of identity and proof of residence in the municipality.
Documents needed
- Valid passport or national ID (for EU citizens)
- NIE if you have one (not required, but bring it if you do)
- Proof of address: a rental contract in your name, or a letter from the property owner if staying with someone else (the owner's ID and their own padrón certificate may also be required)
- 3
Complete the registration
At the town hall, fill out the Hoja de Inscripción Padronal. The process is fast — usually done in one visit with no appointment needed. You will receive a certificate (volante de empadronamiento) on the spot or by post within a few days.
Time: 30–60 minutes including waiting
The volante de empadronamiento is an official certificate confirming your registration. You will need this for health card applications, some banking, and other services. It has an expiry of 3 months for most official purposes.