Padrón: registering your Madrid address

Everyone living in Madrid must register with the city. Book an appointment and bring your housing documents.

All students

Last checked against official sources on 3 November 2026. Rules change, so confirm before you act. This is general information, not legal advice.

Who needs this

Everyone who lives in Spain must register in the municipality where they usually live.

Book an appointment at a Línea Madrid citizen office (Oficina de Atención a la Ciudadanía). Under category Padrón, choose Altas, Bajas y Cambio de domicilio en Padrón. You can book this procedure once every 30 days.
Fill in the registration form (hoja padronal), or ask about it at the office. The city also has a documentation assistant on its padrón page.
Go to your appointment with original documents.

You can also register online if you can identify yourself using one of the city's accepted electronic ID methods. New arrivals often don't have one yet.

Bring originals that are still valid.
If you are from outside the EU, bring your residence permit. If you don't have one yet, bring your passport.
Documents issued by foreign authorities may need a sworn translation.

A current rental contract for a flat or a room, showing the owner's details. If the person renting to you isn't the owner, include the owner's authorisation.
It must be signed by everyone named in it and last at least six months.
It must include the property's cadastral reference (referencia catastral). If it doesn't, bring a separate document showing it.
If your contract was signed electronically or has been extended, also bring proof of your latest rent payment.

The person registered as the occupant can authorise you by signing the registration form and providing their ID document.

Non-EU residents without permanent residence must renew their registration every two years.
EU citizens may also need to confirm their residence with the city.

Helpful experience, not official rules.

Print everything before you go, even if your contract was signed online. Don't rely on showing it on your phone.
If central offices have no appointments, try offices further out, such as Barajas, Vicálvaro, Villa de Vallecas or Hortaleza.
If your contract says the flat is temporary or only for study purposes, some staff may question it. Ask an office before your appointment if you can.

Practical help, not official wording. Staff may not speak English, so it helps to have these ready.

Vengo a empadronarme.: I'm here to register my address.
Necesito un volante de empadronamiento.: I need proof of my registration.
Hola, tengo cita a las diez.: Hello, I have an appointment at ten o'clock.
No hablo bien español. ¿Habla inglés?: I don't speak Spanish well. Do you speak English?
¿Puede hablar más despacio, por favor?: Could you speak more slowly, please?
¿Puede escribirlo, por favor?: Could you write it down, please?
¿Me falta algún documento?: Am I missing any document?

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