Empadronamiento
There are many things to do if you want to become a resident in Spain. As much as you want to enjoy the sun and the sea as soon as you get off the plane from the UK, a lot of crucial tasks await you if you want to live in Spain for as long as possible with minimum hassle. You have three months upon your arrival to process your Residence Certificate that will officially prove your Spanish residency. You should then get a Certificado de Empadronamiento, a certificate of your registration as an official member of the community where you reside or intend to reside in Spain. You have to be registered or "empadronado".
Every town in Spain holds a census record or city roll (Padrón Municipal de Habitantes) of all its local residents, at the town hall or the Ayuntamiento. Its equivalent in the UK is the electoral role.
To register is to "empadronarse". The use of Certificado de Empadronamiento and the process of registering could vary from one region to another. A volante may be issued as a temporary certificate.
The process of registering the number of inhabitants in a specific geographic area is called empadronamiento. This will be your key to verifying your stay in Spain. It is one way of starting your integration into the Spanish life and community. You can register individually or as a family.
Everyone who is planning to live and/or buy a property in Spain ought to have themselves registered through this process. While a Certificado de Empadronamiento is not compulsory, you may find yourself needing this document frequently as several legal transactions require this proof of registration.
Numerous benefits can be obtained if you have been registered in your community's padron. This registration system allows the municipality to easily tally the number of individuals residing in the community, be it legal or not. But there's no need to fret as this list is strictly confidential.
In addition, this helps in distributing government funds and tax money efficiently. Since the funding received by the local government is based on the number of people registered on the Padron, it is the municipality's best interest to have an accurate count. This will determine the amount of funds necessary to ensure the efficiency of various local services and amenities such as for health centres, police departments, post office, and the cleaning as well as maintenance of the region.
You may be required of a Certificado de Empadronamiento or a volante for the following:
The volante de empadronamiento, which is usually free but depending on your municipality, is more than enough to be used for various official transactions. When you apply in person, the volante will be issued on the spot or on the day of your application. Otherwise, it will be sent to you by mail.
Check with your local town hall regarding the requirements. But the common documents needed are as follows:
So if you want to have a smooth transition into the Spanish community and go about living your desired Spanish life, make it a point that you understand the regulations and processed involved; particularly when it comes to becoming an official Spanish resident. There may be a lot of seemingly complicated tasks and paperwork required before you can finally enjoy the sun and the laid-back kind of life. But if you are eager, patient and systematic enough to deal with what needs to be done, you can efficiently complete the process and savour all the fruits of your labour. It really pays to work hard.
The Basics
Every town in Spain holds a census record or city roll (Padrón Municipal de Habitantes) of all its local residents, at the town hall or the Ayuntamiento. Its equivalent in the UK is the electoral role.
To register is to "empadronarse". The use of Certificado de Empadronamiento and the process of registering could vary from one region to another. A volante may be issued as a temporary certificate.
The process of registering the number of inhabitants in a specific geographic area is called empadronamiento. This will be your key to verifying your stay in Spain. It is one way of starting your integration into the Spanish life and community. You can register individually or as a family.
Everyone who is planning to live and/or buy a property in Spain ought to have themselves registered through this process. While a Certificado de Empadronamiento is not compulsory, you may find yourself needing this document frequently as several legal transactions require this proof of registration.
The Benefits/Purpose
Numerous benefits can be obtained if you have been registered in your community's padron. This registration system allows the municipality to easily tally the number of individuals residing in the community, be it legal or not. But there's no need to fret as this list is strictly confidential.
In addition, this helps in distributing government funds and tax money efficiently. Since the funding received by the local government is based on the number of people registered on the Padron, it is the municipality's best interest to have an accurate count. This will determine the amount of funds necessary to ensure the efficiency of various local services and amenities such as for health centres, police departments, post office, and the cleaning as well as maintenance of the region.
You may be required of a Certificado de Empadronamiento or a volante for the following:
- Application for a local health card
- Enrollment of your children to school
- Application for residency or certain visas
- Getting driver's license
- Buying/Selling a car or Spanish property
- Voting and getting married
The Requirements and The Process
Basically, getting empadronado is all about filling out a form, presenting the required documents, waiting for the application to be processed and waiting for the issuance of either a volante or the official certificate itself. The registration can be done in person, at the community's administrative office or Junta/Junta Municipal, or can be processed over the Internet. It all depends on the region where you reside.The volante de empadronamiento, which is usually free but depending on your municipality, is more than enough to be used for various official transactions. When you apply in person, the volante will be issued on the spot or on the day of your application. Otherwise, it will be sent to you by mail.
Check with your local town hall regarding the requirements. But the common documents needed are as follows:
- The application form or hoja de empadromiento, completed and signed (which can be availed at the office processing the registration)
- Original and photocopied valid ID such as Passport or National Identity Card
- Original and photocopied proof of address (e.g., Rental Contract/Agreement, utility bills, property title deeds or escritura if you own a Spanish house or apartment)
So if you want to have a smooth transition into the Spanish community and go about living your desired Spanish life, make it a point that you understand the regulations and processed involved; particularly when it comes to becoming an official Spanish resident. There may be a lot of seemingly complicated tasks and paperwork required before you can finally enjoy the sun and the laid-back kind of life. But if you are eager, patient and systematic enough to deal with what needs to be done, you can efficiently complete the process and savour all the fruits of your labour. It really pays to work hard.