The Spanish «Empadronamiento» or «Padrón» for short means a registration by place of permanent residence with obtaining an appropriate certificate. You don’t need to have a residence permit in Spain in order to get it.
Such a population register allows the municipal authorities to keep score of inhabitants residing in their territory. And if you intend to live in Spain on a permanent basis, you are required by law to register on the padrón.
Why do I need a registration in Spain (padrón)?
This certificate of registration will be useful to carry out any operations or transactions in Spain, such as:
- the issue of temporary or permanent residence permits;
- the request for a work permit;
- buying and selling cars;
- the access to a Health Care Card (tarjeta sanitaria);
- the school/nursery enrolment for children.
- The poor can count on social assistance, subject to the availability of padrón.
- Also it can be used as the primary piece of evidence of your stay in Spain to obtain Residence Permit for Social Roots (Arraigo Social).
Is it compulsory to reside in Spain legally in order to obtain the padrón?
No. At the moment, no one checks the validity of the visa or the possession of a residence permit.
Even with an expired visa or absence of a valid passport, it is mandatory to register on the padrón.
Please note that registration at one’s place of residence (padrón) doesn’t imply obtaining a residence permit automatically, the padrón does not entitle to the legal stay in Spain.
Where to formalize the padron in Torrevieja?
- Address: Ayuntamiento de Torrevieja – Censo y Estadística (The Centre for Census and Statistics) at C/ Unión Musical, 22, Torrevieja
- Telephone: +34 96 570 60 38
- Opening hours: from 09.00 to 14.00 (Monday to Friday)
As you enter the registration centre, take a «ticket» with your place in line. Next, keep your eye on the numbers on the board (above the door), also there will be indicated the number of the desk, which you should step to.
Documents required for registration in Spain
- You identity document: a passport, D.N.I./N.I.E. or a residency card (tarjeta de residencia). All documents must be valid at the time of application.
- Also, an extract from the family book (libro de familia) is required for minor children. If the parents are divorced, a document of custody must be provided. A passport is required for foreign children.
In addition
In case you have any property in the city:
- A deed of sale (escritura de compraventa) and its copy, or an extract from the register (nota simple).
If you live in a rented house: - A valid rental agreement, duly signed by both parties, recent utility bills (electricity, water or other services).
- In the event that you do not have a rental agreement, you must provide the owner’s permission to live in the house and a copy of his DNI, deeds of sale of the property or their copies, nota simple, recent utility bills (electricity, water, etc.)
Important: EU citizens must provide the document of Certificado de Registro de Ciudadanos de la Unión Europea (hoja verde). If you did not have this certificate at the time of the application for registration on the padron, you can bring it within three months from the date of filing of the complete document package.
Please note: all documents related to the rental agreement, etc. must be written in Spanish.
If other persons who also live in this apartment/house are already registered at the same address, then registration takes place in the presence of one of them.
How much does it cost to get the padron in Spain?
It is issued free of charge.
Is there an expiration date?
The document itself shall be considered valid for 3 months from the date of the issue. If you need to provide a padrón after this time, contact the office of Ayuntamiento de Torrevieja – Censo y Estadística again to update it.
Foreigners who do not have a residence permit in Spain are obliged to re-register every 2 years, as after this period they will be automatically removed from the registration base.
Residents reissue this document only if any personal data changes.
Could someone accompany me to Censo y Estadística and help me with obtaining of the padron?
It should first be mentioned that there’s nothing complicated about obtaining a registration at the place of residence in Torrevieja. Even if you don’t speak Spanish, you can do it on your own. Just prepare a package of documents and feel free to go to the office of Censo y Estadística.
But if for some reason you wish to be accompanied in this situation, pay attention to the concierge service from our company. Alegria will be your personal assistant and we are always ready to take care of all your issues and requests.
