In short
- The padrón is the city's register of who lives where. Registering is called empadronarse.
- It's often requested for the public health card, schools and some residency steps.
- In Madrid it's done with the city council (el Ayuntamiento), usually by appointment.
What the padrón is
Every town in Spain keeps a register of the people who live there: el padrón municipal. Adding yourself is empadronarse, and the process is called el empadronamiento. It doesn't give you any permit — it simply records your address.
The paper you get is a volante or a certificado de empadronamiento. They show the same information; some procedures ask specifically for one or the other, so check which one you need.
How it generally works in Madrid
- 1
Book an appointment with the Ayuntamiento de Madrid (pedir cita). Their website explains the current options.
- 2
Bring identification — your passport, or your TIE if you already have it.
- 3
Bring proof that you live at the address, usually your rental contract (el contrato de alquiler). If the contract isn't in your name, the official website explains what else is accepted.
- 4
Fill in the form (la hoja de inscripción). Your name and address must match your documents exactly.
- 5
Ask for the volante or certificado you need. Keep a few copies: you'll hand them out.
Words on the form
- el padrón
- the town's register of residents
- empadronarse
- to register your address
- el volante de empadronamiento
- registration slip
- el certificado de empadronamiento
- registration certificate
- el Ayuntamiento
- city council, town hall
- el contrato de alquiler
- rental contract
- el domicilio
- home address
- el piso
- flat; also the floor number
- la puerta
- door; the flat's letter or number
Spanish addresses are short and dense: Calle de Toledo 25, 3.º B means number 25, third floor (tercero), door B. Practise saying yours out loud before the appointment.
What to say at your appointment
Buenos días. Quería empadronarme.
Good morning. I'd like to register my address.
Tengo cita a las once.
I have an appointment at eleven.
Aquí tiene mi pasaporte y el contrato de alquiler.
Here are my passport and the rental contract.
Vivo en la calle de Toledo, número veinticinco.
I live at number twenty-five, Calle de Toledo.
Es un tercero B.
It's flat B on the third floor.
¿Necesito el volante o el certificado?
Do I need the slip or the certificate?
¿Me puede dar dos copias, por favor?
Could you give me two copies, please?
Questions
Do I need the padrón to get a health card?
It's commonly requested for the public health card, together with other documents that depend on your situation. The Comunidad de Madrid's website explains the current requirements.
What's the difference between the volante and the certificado?
Both show where you're registered. The certificado is the more formal version and some procedures ask for it specifically — the place asking will tell you which one.
I share a flat and my name isn't on the contract. Can I still register?
Often yes, with extra documents such as an authorisation from the person on the contract. The Ayuntamiento's website lists what's accepted.
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