Empadronamiento

What is empadronamiento?

Empadronamiento (also called Padrón) is a city hall registration to inform the municipal register where you currently reside. It is a census record which allows the city to generate a list of local inhabitants. It is mandatory to register (empadronarse) for anyone who plans to live in Spain more than six months in a year.

What is empadronamiento needed for?

The need for a certificado de empadronamiento varies from region to region and from office to office. In one office, even in the same city, you might be asked for the empadronamiento for a certain administrative procedure, while in an office 100m away, they don’t need it. In general, it’s always good to have it done and to carry the certificate with you for all administrative errands.

Padrón may be required when:

• Applying for a NIE (some offices)
• TIE application (for NON-EU citizens)
• Getting a health insurance card (CAP card)
• Buying a vehicle
• Getting married

In addition, the Certificate of Empadronamiento should be no more than 3 months old in order to be considered valid for the administrative tasks above. You can ask for a copy of the certificate with the current date at your nearest town hall for free.

How to get empadronamiento in Barcelona?

You can register at the nearest town hall (ayuntamiento) in your neighbourhood or any town hall in the city but always with “cita previa“.

A list of offices in Barcelona:

• District Ciutat Vella – Plaza Sant Miquel, 3
• District Ciutat Vella – Calle Ramelleres, 17
• District Eixample – Calle Aragó, 328
• District Sants-Montjuïc – Calle Creu Coberta, 104
• District Les Corts – Plaza Comas 18
• District Sarrià-Sant Gervasi – Calle Anglí, 31
• District Gràcia – Plaza Vila de Gràcia, 2
• District Horta-Guinardó – Calle Lepant, 387
• District Nou Barris – Plaça Major de Nou Barris, 1
• District Sant Andreu – Calle Segre, 24-32
• District Sant Martí – Plaza Valentí Almirall, 1

Opening hours: Mo, Tu, We, Fr 8.30 – 14.30;  Th 8.30 – 19.30.

In summer  (24.6-31.10):  Mo – Fr  8.30 – 14.30

The main office in the center of Barcelona (Plaza Sant Miquel, 3)has longer opening hours: Mo – Sa 8:30 – 20:00 (August has a special time table) – see more detailed information here.

You can get an appointment by calling 010 or on this website: Solicitud de cita previa

Necessary documents:

• Passport (original + copy)
• NIE (if you already have it)
• Bill that you paid the rent (if you don´t own the flat/house)
• Proof of address:
  • if you own the property: original copy of the title deeds (escritura)
  • if you’re renting a flat: original copy of the rental agreement in Spanish/Catalan (contract must be for more than 6 months, signed within the last 5 years)
  • if you rent a room:
    • written document from the owner of the flat stating you reside at the address + signed copy of his/her ID + contract
    •  – or –
    • autorización expresa – document signed by a person already registered (empadronado) at your address + signed copy of his/her ID + contract

The procedure is free of charge. The registration should be renewed every 5 years for EU-citizens or every time you change your home address.