Moving to Spain isn’t always a straightforward process. There are a million and one things to consider but once you have decided to make the move and start a new life here you want to make the most of your time here! Unfortunately, Spanish bureaucracy can be slow at best and spirit crushing at worst but do not despair! We here at The Inside Guide are here to help demystify the various processes and help you get your life off the ground in lovely Valencia
What is the Padron?
One of the first things you will need to do after moving to Spain is organise your paperwork so that you can access essential services The ‘Certificado de Empadronamiento’ or Padron for short is normally where this process begins. It is a list of people who reside in an area. The UK equivalent is roughly the electoral register. Once you have registered successfully you are considered Empadronado.
Do I have to do it?
I’m afraid so yes! It is a legal requirement to be Empadronado if you plan to live in Valencia longer than six months.
Fair enough, Will it be useful?
Yes! You will need to show a valid Padron certificate to obtain a NIE residents card as well as when registering at a health centre or a school amongst other things.
Okay, So how do I go about it?
The first thing you will need to do is make an appointment. In Spanish this is called Solicitud Cita Previa. Post COVID, most places don’t allow you to walk in without it. You can do this in two ways, by either making an appointment online here or by calling 96 3100010. If you press 3, in theory at least you will be attended to in English. It is not always as straight forward as going on the website and making an appointment. In our experience there isn’t always the opportunity to make an appointment online. When we got ours, we were told to log on to the website at 8AM Monday morning. Be patient as these things never seem to run as fast as you would like in Spain and you might have to wait weeks or months before your appointment.
To make an appointment fill out the form on the website. I would recommend keeping a copy of your appointment time and date to show the security staff when you arrive.
Where do I need to go?
There are actually several locations across Valencia where you can obtain the Padron. Pick the one closest to where you live.
OFICINA DEL PADRÓN MUNICIPAL
Calle Arzobispo Mayoral, 1 – (Locales G.T.I.)
OFICINA DE ATENCIÓN CIUDADANA TABACALERA
Calle Amadeo de Saboya, 11, -nave oeste-
JUNTAS MUNICIPALES
J.M. Marítim: C/ Barraca, 53
J.M. Trànsits: C/ Conde de Lumiares, 5
J.M. Abastos: C/ Alberique, 18
J.M. Exposición: C/ Guardia Civil, 19
J.M. Patraix: C/ Beato Nicolás Factor, 1
J.M. Ruzafa: C/ Matías Perelló, 5
My appointment is booked, what now?
This next step is very important! It’s where many people before you have left disappointed leaving the meeting empty handed. If you don’t bring all the right paperwork they will quite happily turn you around and you might well need to start the process again.
Bring the following documents!
- Proof of ID, either passport or NIE card
- Proof of address; be it property deeds or a nota simple if you own, tenancy agreement if you rent or if you rent a room an autorización expresa signed by your room mate with their ID.
- A completed application form.
- A recent utility bill with the correct address on it!
Bring copies of everything including your ID. Sometimes they might photocopy something for you if you are missing something but do not bank on it. On the day there is no need to feel nervous. This is honestly a routine piece of paperwork so don’t stress yourself out over it. If you have a problem take it slowly and make sure you understand what you need to change or bring next time!
Wow, is there anything else I need to know?
Once you have the document in your hand it is valid for three months. Residents in Spain need to update it once every 5 years or if there are any major changes in circumstances such as moving house or births, marriages and deaths. Registering for Clave Pin can make the process easier when you need a copy after the three months.
Be patient as these things never seem to run as fast as you would like in Spain
In my many years in Spain, I have never come across any of the staff who speak English so if possible bring a Spanish speaking friend or a basic phrase book if you are lacking the lingo. Patience is the key here, these bureaucratic procedures can appear a bit Kafkaesque but these things have to be done and they are not as daunting as they first appear.
Padron in hand, it’s time to treat yourself. After all you didn’t move to Valencia to sit and stress about paperwork. There are loads of places to celebrate. To see our review of the newly opened Mercado de la imprenta check out our article here.
