THE PADRON, OR “Padrón Municipal de Habitantes”, is a local register of residents maintained by each of Spain's 8,131 municipal town halls.
Alongside obtaining your NIE number, registering on the Padron is one of the crucial administration procedures residents from other countries should carry out shortly after moving to Spain.
This register records information about the people living in the municipality, and data from municipal Padrons is used to formulate the national census.
Every town hall throughout the Spanish territory administers its Padron, and each municipal authority sends population information from the register to the Spanish National Institute of Statistics (Instituto Nacional de EstadÃstica, INE) to calculate accurate population statistics.
These statistics are important to local authorities because the data determines the levels of government funding each area gets allocated each year. In short, if more people are registered in the municipal area, the town hall is given more money to fund essential public services.
The benefits of registering on the Padron
Registering on the Padron is mandatory for all residents of Spain, and grants access to various public services. For instance, residents must register to receive healthcare through the Spanish national healthcare system, enrol in education, and obtain other social services.
Furthermore, the Padron is used for voting in local, regional, and national elections. If you're not registered on the Padron, you won't be able to exercise your right to vote in Spain.
Once you're registered on the Padron, you'll receive a registration certificate, the “Certificado de Empadronamiento”. You can use this document for a range of purposes, including :
- Enrolling children in school
- Registering for healthcare
- Registering for Social Security
- Applying for a driving license
- Applying for residency in Spain
Who should be registered on the Padron?
Anyone living in Spain for more than six months (aged 14 years or older) must register on the Padron. The registration process should be completed within three months of arriving in Spain.
The Padron is a register of residents, so if you don't live in Spain or you don't plan to spend more than six months in the country, you should not register on the Padron.
Most importantly, overseas residents who purchase a property in Spain to use as a holiday home or investment (not as their main habitual residence), should not register on the Padron.
To register on the Padron you'll need a valid in-date passport or national identity document. Nationals of a Member State of the EU or EEA (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland), will also need to provide the Residency Certificate from their country of origin.
How do you register on the Padron?
The easiest way to register on the Padron in Orihuela Costa is by visiting the online Electronic Office on the municipal website at orihuela.es.
The town hall has launched a series of video tutorials that simplify the understanding of municipal registration procedures, allowing residents to complete their Padron application online.
Available on YouTube in Spanish, English, French, Russian and Ukrainian, the videos ensure that residents can easily follow the registration process in their native language. Watch the videos now.
A handy walkthrough guide is also available in English and Spanish, illustrating how to use the Electronic Office step-by-step.
Orihuela Costa's Electronic Office is available in Spanish, English, French, German, and Italian, making online Padron registration easy for everyone. Visit the Electronic Office now.
Alternatively, the registration procedure can be carried out in person at the town hall in Playa Flamenca. A prior appointment is required, and residents can call +34 966 760 000 to make an appointment.
Looking for holiday ideas and travel inspiration? Find out more about our favourite recommended things to do on the Orihuela Costa or join the La Zenia community Facebook group and find out what's going on in the local area.
Photo credit: LaZenia.com
