The "padrón" is an official list of people that are currently living in each municipality. Each town has the obligation to have an updated list of neighbors with their basic details and current address, and each person has the obligation to update their situation in said list. For example, if you move from one house to another, you have to let the town hall know you have a different address and update your "empadronamiento" inscription.
El padrón municipal es el registro administrativo de los residentes de un municipio. Los datos que contiene constituyen la prueba de la residencia habitual en el municipio.
Toda persona que resida en España está obligada a inscribirse en el padrón municipal del municipio en el que tenga su residencia habitual. Las personas que residan en varios municipios deberán inscribirse únicamente en aquel en el que permanezcan durante más tiempo a lo largo del año.
Los Ayuntamientos son los encargados de mantenerlo actualizado, remitiendo datos al Instituto Nacional de Estadística ( INE) (INE), que publica las cifras oficiales de población.
- El «padrón» es una lista oficial de personas que viven actualmente en cada municipio. Cada ayuntamiento tiene la obligación de disponer de una lista actualizada de vecinos con sus datos básicos y su dirección actual, y cada persona tiene la obligación de actualizar su situación en dicha lista. Por ejemplo, si te mudas de una casa a otra, tienes que comunicar al ayuntamiento que tienes una dirección diferente y actualizar tu inscripción en el empadronamiento.
What is it for?
- Proof of residence: It is the document that proves that you live in a certain place.
- Allocation of resources: It allows local councils and the government to know the population in order to distribute services (health, education, infrastructure).
- Administrative management: It is necessary for procedures such as obtaining an ID card, applying for benefits, voting, enrolling children in school, etc.
- Right to vote: Allows you to exercise your right to vote in municipal elections and, in some cases, in European elections, depending on your nationality.
How do I register?
- You must go to your local council office with your ID card/foreign resident ID number, passport, and a document proving your residence (rental contract, deed, recent utility bills).
Why should I register to vote for local elections in Spain?
As you all know, voting is the only way to be heard and participate in the administration of the town/city you live in. By voting, you are able to make yourself heard and make the changes that you believe are the best for the municipality.
Who can register to vote in Spain?
There are mainly 2 different groups of people who are allowed to vote in Spain. Based on your nationality, different rules and limitations will apply, so here we go through each option:
EU nationals
For EU nationals, the requirements are just 2 and are quite simple:
- You must be registered in the padrón "empadronado" at your current address.
- You must be registered in the electoral roll.
‘Empadronarse’ means to register on the ‘padrón’ (register) and is done at the town hall of the locality where you reside.
To register in the padrón, " empadronarse", you must apply by providing the required documentation at the town hall where you have your habitual residence.
The town hall is responsible for compiling and managing it.
Local councils are responsible for keeping it up to date, sending data to the National Statistics Institute (INE), which publishes the official population figures.
The "padrón" is a municipal register. The town council is responsible for compiling and managing it. To register, you have to apply to the council of the municipality of your habitual residence and supply the requested documents.
There is only one requirement for the formality of stating your intention to vote in municipal elections in Spain: you must already be on the electoral roll and complete the form, either on paper at the town hall or remotely at the Electronic Office of INE . The paper form can be obtained from the INE's website to be filled out in advance ( CERE.DFA ).
Are you registered in the "padrón"?
The "padrón" is an official list of people that are currently living in each municipality. Each town has the obligation to have an updated list of neighbors with their basic details and current address, and each person has the obligation to update their situation in said list. For example, if you move from one house to another, you have to let the town hall know you have a different address and update your "empadronamiento" inscription.
If you haven't done this yet, we highly encourage you to complete this process first of all and as soon as possible, since some town halls may take quite some time to complete the registration or have a long waiting list to actually get an appointment.
The documentation you need to bring to the town hall to be registered in the padrón is as follows:
- Passport / ID card + 1 copy of said document
- Copy of your property title deeds / rental contract
- Last council tax receipt
- Recent water / electricity bill