- You need a empadronamiento/padrón to prove where you live in Spain.
- You register through your local town hall, and the exact documents vary by municipality.
- This article is about how to register in Madrid
What does empadronamiento mean?
EMPADRONAMIENTO AND PADRÓN
The process of adding your address to the municipal register. Registry is called padrón municipal.
The NIE–padrón loop I ran into
When my husband and I moved to Madrid, we came across a funny little loop (it was far from funny at the time).
On our rental flat hunt, many landlords required me to have a NIE before they would rent us a long-term home. To get a NIE, I needed a padrón. And to get the padrón, I first needed the tenancy agreement documents.
Luckily, it did not take us too long to find a home. Our landlords used Madrid City Council’s rental contract template, which allowed my passport number to be used instead of an NIE. That gave us the documentation we needed to move forward.
Two important lessons: you may not need a NIE to sign a valid rental contract or register your address. Another very very important thing is to make sure the contract contains the correct identification and property information. Many times I’ve had to ask my name to be corrected as Spanish people refuse to believe I do not have two surnames but instead I have second and third first name which is very rare in Spain! So make sure to double check your information, your future self thanks you and makes the other paper work smooth.
First step: Gather the documents for empadronamiento
Yey! Good old, paper work time! The exact documents depend on your living situation, but you will generally need:
- A completed hoja padronal, this was printed from the city council website
- A valid passport or national identity card. Bring physical and take prints as well. Print few extras as well, you most likely will need it in the future. 😀
- Proof that you have the right to live at the address. Any required authorisation from the property owner, tenant or another registered resident. For a rented home, proof of address will normally include a valid rental contract showing the address and the name of at least one person registering.
- Are you registering someone else too? Print and fill the authorising paper.
Madrid currently states that a rental contract should generally:
- Be valid and signed by all parties named in it
- Have a minimum duration of six months
- Include the property’s cadastral reference
- Clearly identify the property owner
In some situations, you may also need proof of the latest rent payment.
If your name is not on the rental contract, the person who holds the right to use the home may need to authorise your registration and provide their identity and housing documents.
Because the requirements vary, check Madrid City Council’s official Padrón documentation guide before your appointment.
Do you need an NIE to register empadronamiento?
Not necessarily. EU citizens can register using a valid passport or national identity card. If you already have a NIE, you should provide it together with your identity document.
For non-EU citizens, the required document will normally be a valid residence permit or, if one is not yet available, a passport.
Many people believe they must obtain an NIE before they can register their address. In Madrid, an EU citizen who does not yet have a NIE can still use a valid passport or national identity card.
Second step: Register
In Madrid you can currently apply either online or in person.
Option 1: Register empadronamiento online
Online registration requires an accepted form of electronic identification. If you are just moving or have just moved to Spain, I bet you do not have the electronic identification needed so skip this option, but when you do obtain the electronic identification the padrón is easy to update online if your address changes.
Upload the requested documents and wait for the City Council to review your application. If another person’s consent is required, they currently have five calendar days to provide it.
Do not start a separate in-person application while your online application is still being processed.
Option 2: Register in person
To register in person, book an appointment at an Oficina de Atención a la Ciudadanía, also known as an OAC.
When booking, select:
Category: Padrón
Service: Altas, Bajas y Cambio de domicilio en Padrón
Bring the completed forms and original documents required for your situation. Usually you should be able to receive a certificate of empadronamiento during the same appointment. I even had a mistake in one paper, and a love lady allowed me to fill a new one there. I was also able to register my husband as well because he had to be at the office at the time, I just had to have the official authorisation paper.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming that a passport cannot be used before you receive a NIE
- Signing a rental contract that does not clearly identify the property or landlord
- Forgetting to check whether the cadastral reference is included
- Attending the appointment without the original identity documents
- Applying both online and in person at the same time
- Relying on a wrong document checklist without checking your specific housing situation
Before your appointment
Check that you have:
- Your completed and signed hoja padronal
- Your valid passport or national identity card
- Your NIE document, if you already have one
- Your rental contract or other proof of your right to use the home
- Proof of rent payment, if required
- Any necessary authorisations
- Original documents as well as copies
Madrid City Council can request additional documents when it needs to verify the address, so always check the official requirements shortly before applying.
Information checked in August 2026. Administrative requirements can change, and individual circumstances may require additional documentation.