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, it is called “volante”.

How to get empadronamiento in Madrid?

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 Madrid:

  • District Arganzuela
    PASEO CHOPERA 10, 28045 MADRID
  • District Barajas
    PLAZA MERCURIO 1, 28042 MADRID
  • District Carabanchel
    CALLE UTEBO 8, 28025 MADRID
  • District Centro
    CALLE ATOCHA 70, 28012 MADRID
  • District Chamartín
    CALLE PRINCIPE DE VERGARA 142, 28002 MADRID
  • District Chamberí
    CALLE PALAFOX 4, 28010 MADRID
  • District Ciudad Lineal
    CALLE HERMANOS GARCIA NOBLEJAS 16, 28037 MADRID
  • District Fuencarral – El Pardo
    AVENIDA MONFORTE DE LEMOS 40, 28029 MADRID
  • District Hortaleza
    CARRETERA CANILLAS 2, 28043 MADRID
  • District Latina
    AVENIDA LAS AGUILAS 2, 28044 MADRID
  • District Aravaca
    PLAZA MONCLOA 1, 28008 MADRID
  • District Puente de Vallecas
    AVENIDA ALBUFERA 42, 28038 MADRID
  • District Retiro
    PLAZA DAOIZ Y VELARDE 1, 28007 MADRID
  • District Salamanca
    CALLE VELAZQUEZ 52, 28001 MADRID
  • District San Blas – Canillejas
    AVENIDA ARCENTALES 28, 28022 MADRID
  • District Tetuán
    CALLE SIMANCAS 6, 28029 MADRID
  • District Usera
    AVENIDA RAFAELA YBARRA 41, 28026 MADRID
  • District Vicálvaro
    PLAZA DON ANTONIO DE ANDRES 18, 28032 MADRID
  • District Villa de Vallecas
    PASEO FEDERICO GARCIA LORCA 12, 28031 MADRID
  • District Villaverde
    CALLE ARROYO BUENO 53, 28021 MADRID
  • District Numancia
    CALLE MONTE OLIVETI 14, 28038 MADRID
  • District Sanchinarro
    CALLE PRINCESA DE EBOLI 29, 28050 MADRID
  • District Moratalaz
    CALLE FUENTE CARRANTONA 8, 28030 MADRID

Additional offices (oficina auxiliar):

Opening hours: check the webside of each office separatelly as it can very

You can get an appointment by calling 010 from Madrid or 915 298 210 or online 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 (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.

If you are not sure where to go or how to process your empadronamiento, don´t hesitate to contact NIE Madrid.

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