Being part of your local community in Spain
You may have heard of the Padron Municipal or Empadronamiento.
If you haven't and you are buying in Spain then you need to know
about this. This article explains what it is, how it could
benefit you and what you need to do in order to get it.
What is the Padron Municipal?
Every municipality in Spain holds a record of local residents;
the Padron. This is held at the town hall (Ayuntamiento). The UK
equivalent would be the electoral role. Anybody who owns a
property in Spain should register, whether they live here
permanently or not. Even if you are renting on a long term
basis, you can apply to be registered. However, take note that
you can only be registered on one Padron.
Who does it benefit?
The Municipality: Although, it is not compulsory to be
registered, it benefits both you and the municipality (borough)
which, as a home owner, you are part of. It benefits the
municipality because the local government receives funding
depending on the number of people registered on the Padron. For
this reason, it is imperative that you register to ensure the
amount of funds necessary to run the municipality (borough) and
maintain the infrastructure are received by the local government.
The funding is used for essential amenities such as policing,
health centres, cleaning and maintenance. If you do not
register, basic services will suffer as they do in many areas as
so many foreign residents do not bother to register, manly
because they are unaware that they should. It even affects
staffing in the health clinics, post office and all the services
that we take for granted.
You: If you are planning to live here and have children, it
gives you the right to enrol your children in the local schools
(if places are limited preference will be given to registered
children). It also allows you to take advantage of local leisure
facilities with discounted fees at the municipal sports centre
and exercise classes. It is often necessary when looking for
work via the municipal 'job centre' equivalent. There are
numerous advantages to having a certificate of empadronamiento
(issued to you when you register).
Is it related to Residencia?
No, this is not a Residencia and it does not require you to have
Residencia or be applying for it. It does not mean that you have
to pay any extra taxes. Remember that you will have to pay
municipal taxes anyway, if you are a home owner.
How do you register?
It's easy. To register you need to go to your local town hall
and produce your passport; NIE details and a copy of your
escritura (title deeds, home owners only) or rental contract and
you will be registered. If you say that you need proof that you
are registered, they will issue you with a certificate, signed
by the mayor. You can have an individual certificate
(individual) or one that covers the whole family (familiar). If
for any reason, they cannot issue a certificate on the same day,
they can very easily give you a volante (a sort of temporary
certificate which proves that you are registered).
Once you are registered you will be described as empadronado.
You will need to be familiar with this word as people may ask
you about it. When you register you will be asked to sign a
census form which gives you the right to vote in local council
and European Union elections.
You will then be empadronado and an official member of the
community.