The Padron is a register of the inhabitants of a municipality with a primary function of enabling a voter list together with deciding the amount of money the local council (ayuntamiento) will receive from the Spanish government.

If you move to Spain and intend to apply to become a resident you and your family, including children under 18 years old, must register on the Padron at your local town hall (ayuntamiento).

Residents must also apply if they

• own Spanish property

• are transferring an imported car on to Spanish registration number 

• are purchasing a Spanish registered car

• wish to register a child for state schooling

• wish to register with a local medical centre

• want to be added to the voting register which can allow you to stand for election to your local council, even if you are a non-resident.

It is not necessary for non-residents owning a property in Spain or driving a foreign registered car for less than six months to register on the Padron.


To register, you will need to take the following to your local town hall.

• Passport

• NIE number

• A copy of your property title deeds (Escritura)

• A water, electricity or telephone bill

Be sure to check that you are going to the correct ayuntamiento for your address, this should appear on your utility bills, and remember that the ayuntamiento only opens in the mornings, the earlier you get there the better as there might be a queue.

Everybody, even non-residents should make the effort to register with their local Padron as the number of registered inhabitants determines the amount of money the local council will receive from the Spanish government which will then go towards funding the services available to its inhabitants.

You should think of registering on your local Padron as a social obligation.