Updating your address (change of padrón)

Overview

Your empadronamiento is tied to a specific address, not just a municipality. Every time you move — even within the same city — you need to update it, both to keep your records accurate and because many services check your registered address.

Requirements

• You must have moved to a new confirmed address, with proof (rental contract, deed, or authorisation from the current occupant)

Step-by-step process

• If you're moving to a different municipality, you'll register fresh at the new ayuntamiento — this automatically cancels your registration at the old one
• If you're moving within the same municipality, request a change of address (cambio de domicilio) rather than a fresh registration
• Book an appointment with the relevant ayuntamiento, where available online
• Bring your proof of the new address and complete the update form
• Collect your updated certificate showing the new address

Required documents

• Passport or NIE
• Proof of your new address: rental contract, property deed, or signed authorisation from the current occupant plus their ID

Common mistakes

• Not updating the padrón after moving, leaving official correspondence going to an address you no longer live at
• Assuming a move within the same city doesn't need updating — it does, since empadronamiento is address-specific, not just municipality-specific

Practical tips

• Update your padrón early after moving — several other processes (school enrolment, healthcare centre changes) depend on your current registered address
• Request a new certificate once the update is done, since old certificates showing your previous address won't be accepted for most purposes

How Tuchati can help

If your new town hall has different requirements than you expect, Tuchati can help you confirm exactly what's needed before your appointment.