Keeping your address registration current

It is for anyone considering, planning or carrying out a move to Spain.

Start with "Updating your address registration when you move within Spain". Moving is the task most people face first, and it shows how the register works. After that, check whether the renewal rule applies to you. Missing it can cancel your registration automatically, with no warning.

First registration and proof of address are covered elsewhere.

Key rules

• Renewal: Non-EU foreigners without permanent residence authorisation must renew their padrón registration every two years.
• Cancellation window: If you are notified and do not respond, you get a 3-month period after the notice before the registration can be cancelled, and never before the two years have passed.
• Your NIE: Your NIE is permanent and does not expire or change, even if you leave Spain or change your status.
• Other offices: Changing your padrón address does not automatically update records with the tax agency, driving licence authority, health system, social security, or banks; you must notify each body separately.
• Right document: Request the type the office names: volante, certificado or histórico.
• Proving years: Only the histórico shows continuous residence over several years.

Keeping your address registration current: the whole process, step by step

Keeping your registration current, step by step

• Move within or between towns: update your address (see "Updating your address registration when you move within Spain"): As soon as you move. No national deadline is fixed, but some town halls set one of a month or two, so do it promptly

• Get a new certificate once the record is updated (see "Which address certificate (certificado de empadronamiento) do you need?"): After the town hall updates your record. Most offices accept a certificate issued within the last 3 months; some ask for 1 month or even 15 days

• Fix wrong details or add your NIE (see "Fixing mistakes in your address registration and adding your NIE"): Whenever you spot a mistake or receive a new identity number

• Renew if the rule applies to you (see "Does the address registration renewal rule (renovacion padronal) apply to you?"): Every two years, counted from your registration or your last renewal confirmation, whichever is later

• Respond to a renewal notice: Within the 3-month period after the notice. See Does the address registration renewal rule (renovacion padronal) apply to you?.

• Leaving Spain: cancel your registration (see "Cancelling your address registration when you leave Spain"): When you leave. Your NIE stays permanent, but permits can lapse after long absences, so check your permit's conditions before going

Documents you may need

Identity and residence

• Your passport — Does the address registration renewal rule (renovacion padronal) apply to you?, Fixing mistakes in your address registration and adding your NIE
• Padrón registration form — Updating your address registration when you move within Spain
• ID for each person — Updating your address registration when you move within Spain
• Volante de empadronamiento — Which address certificate (certificado de empadronamiento) do you need?
• Your NIE — Cancelling your address registration when you leave Spain
• Your residence card — Cancelling your address registration when you leave Spain

Other documents

• Proof you can live in the new home — Updating your address registration when you move within Spain
• The town hall's form for modifying your data — Fixing mistakes in your address registration and adding your NIE
• A document proving the correct data — Fixing mistakes in your address registration and adding your NIE

Keeping your address registration current: questions that cross several articles

How recent must my certificate be?

There is no national limit on how recent it must be, and most offices accept one issued within the last 3 months. Some want one from the last month or 15 days, so ask the office requesting it, then see "Which address certificate (certificado de empadronamiento) do you need?".

Do I need to cancel my old registration when I move to another town?

No, when you register in the new town, it tells the old one and you are removed there. This also works if your old one was a temporary address.

Is there a deadline to report a move?

No fixed national deadline exists, but you must keep your address up to date. Some town halls set a month or two. Late updates can cost you access to services, so see "Updating your address registration when you move within Spain" and "What your address registration unlocks at your town hall".

Does moving house update my other records?

No, changing your padrón address does not update the tax agency, driving licence authority, health system, social security or banks. Notify each one separately. "Updating your address registration when you move within Spain" covers the move itself.

What stays valid if I leave Spain and deregister?

Your NIE stays valid because it is permanent, but your padrón entry ends. Residence permits can lapse after long absences, depending on the permit type.