Proving you live here without papers: what regions ask for

Key rules

• Regional rules: Each region sets its own accepted proofs, so confirm with your regional health service before you gather papers.
• Padrón: Registering on the padrón is allowed whatever your legal status, and it gives no residence rights.
• No papers for the padrón: Dated medical records, bills, receipts, tickets or a social services or NGO report may be accepted instead.

What you need to prove

Adults without a residence permit usually need to show at least 90 days in Spain to get the health document. This does not apply to children under 18. Each region decides which papers count, so check yours before you gather anything.

The usual proof: the padrón

The best proof is registration on the padrón at your town hall. You must register where you usually live, whatever your legal status. Registering does not give you residence rights, and the town hall may not share your data for immigration control beyond what the law provides.

Bring your passport or ID and proof of address. That can be a rental contract, a property deed, a utility bill, or an authorisation from the owner or tenant. Some town halls also ask for a copy of the owner's ID.

If you have no stable address

You can still register. Ask your town hall's social services about registering "sin domicilio fijo". They usually assess your case, assign an address (a shelter, an NGO or a social services centre) and issue a report.

You can also register at the address of someone who agrees to host you. They must give their authorisation. How this works depends on each town hall, so ask before you go.

If you cannot get on the padrón

Regions commonly accept other dated papers showing at least 90 days in Spain:

• medical records or hospital reports with dates
• money transfer receipts
• travel tickets
• a report from social services, or from an NGO or recognised entity

Some regions, such as Catalonia, Andalusia and the Basque Country, accept NGO or social services reports. Some accept a simple sworn declaration. The list can change by region and sometimes by health area.

How to check your own region

1. Look at your regional health service's website (the consejería de sanidad). It usually has a page on access for foreigners without residence authorisation.
2. If you cannot find it, search the service's name with "acceso a la asistencia sanitaria extranjeros sin residencia".
3. Call the regional health information line, or ask at your local health centre's admissions desk, which documents they want.
4. Local NGOs and your town hall's social services can also explain your region's rules.

The decision, documents and checklist below help you pick a route and gather papers.

Choosing between options

Which proof of time in Spain should you use for the health document?

• Padrón at your own address: You have a rental contract, deed or utility bill in your name. This is the usual proof.

• Padrón at a host's address: You live with someone who agrees to host you and gives you their authorisation.

• Other proofs and a report: You cannot register on the padrón. Use dated records, receipts or tickets, and ask social services or an NGO for a report.

Register on the padrón if you can, at your own address, a host's or with no fixed address. If you cannot, use other proofs, and confirm with your regional health service that it accepts them.

Documents you need

• Passport or ID, to register on the padrón (the municipal register of where you live). You hold it already.

• Proof of address for the padrón: a rental contract, property deed or utility bill, or an authorisation from the owner or tenant. Some town halls also ask for a copy of that person's ID.

• If you cannot get on the padrón, dated medical records or hospital reports showing at least 90 days in Spain.

• If you cannot get on the padrón, a rental contract, utility bills, money transfer receipts or travel tickets that show at least 90 days in Spain.

• A report from social services or from an NGO or recognised entity, issued by that office. Some regions, such as Catalonia, Andalusia and the Basque Country, accept it.

• A sworn declaration, in the regions that accept one in place of other proofs.

Checklist

• Gather your passport or ID and a proof of address for the padrón.

• Register on the padrón at your town hall where you usually live.

• Collect other dated proof of at least 90 days in Spain if you cannot register, such as medical records, a rental contract or travel tickets.

• Ask whether your region accepts a sworn declaration or a social services or NGO report in place of other proofs.

Organisations that help with healthcare access without papers

Who can help you register and get the health document

• Médicos del Mundo (local office): Ask for orientation on getting into the health system if you have been excluded. Offices exist in many cities and none requires papers.

• Red Acoge (local office): Ask for practical help with registering on the padrón (the town register of residents) and with referrals. It also keeps lists of local routes.

• Cruz Roja (local office): Ask for help with registration and referrals to health services.

• CEAR: Ask for help if you are a refugee or asylum seeker.

• Cáritas and Accem (local offices): Ask for social support and mediation with the authorities.

• Yo Sí Sanidad Universal and REDER campaigns: Contact them if you are refused care. They document cases of denial and give support.

• Your town hall's social services (servicios sociales): Ask for help with the padrón and the health card, and which local programme applies to you.

• Patient service or social worker at your nearest health centre: Ask how to register for health access in your region. Several regions run their own schemes, such as Catalonia, Andalusia, the Valencian Community and the Basque Country.

• Your regional health department's information line: Ask which proofs of time in Spain your region accepts and how to apply.

Check office hours and contact details on each organisation's website, and confirm regional routes with your health centre before acting.

Frequently asked questions

Does registering on the padrón give me residence rights?

No, registering on the padrón does not give you residence rights. It only records where you usually live.

Can I register on the padrón if I have no stable address?

Yes, you can register on the padrón "sin domicilio fijo", which means with no fixed address.

Can I register at a friend's address?

Yes, you can register at the address of someone who agrees to host you, as long as they give you their authorisation.

Do all regions accept the same proofs of time in Spain?

No, the accepted proofs vary by region and sometimes by health area.