How to register to vote for local elections in Spain
In this post we provide a comprehensive guide on how to register to vote for local elections in Spain, a step by step plan, all the paperwork needed and examples for you to fully understand how to complete the process and know your rights in Spain.
The "padrón" is an official list of people that are currently living in each municipality. Anyone residing in Spain is required to register on the municipal register of the municipality in which they have their usual place of residence.
If you move from one house to another, you have to let the town hall know you have a different address and update your "empadronamiento" inscription. People who reside in several municipalities must register only in the one where they spend the most time during the year
Local councils are responsible for keeping their register up to date, sending data to the National Institute of Statistics (INE), which publishes the official population figures.
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Why should I register to vote for local elections in Spain?
As you all know, voting is the only way to be heard and participate in the administration of the town/city you live in. By voting, you are able to make yourself heard and make the changes that you believe are the best for the municipality.
Who can register to vote in Spain?
There are mainly 2 different groups of people who are allowed to vote in Spain. Based on your nationality, different rules and limitations will apply, so here we go through each option:
EU nationals
For EU nationals, the requirements are just 2 and are quite simple:
- You must be registered in the padrón "empadronado" at your current address.
- You must be registered in the electoral roll.
‘Empadronarse’ means to register on the ‘padrón’ (register) and is done at the town hall of the locality where you reside.
To register in the padrón, " empadronarse", you must apply by providing the required documentation at the town hall where you have your habitual residence.
The town hall is responsible for compiling and managing it.
Local councils are responsible for keeping it up to date, sending data to the National Statistics Institute (INE), which publishes the official population figures.
The "padrón" is a municipal register. The town council is responsible for compiling and managing it. To register, you have to apply to the council of the municipality of your habitual residence and supply the requested documents.
There is only one requirement for the formality of stating your intention to vote in municipal elections in Spain: you must already be on the electoral roll and complete the form, either on paper at the town hall or remotely at the Electronic Office of INE . The paper form can be obtained from the INE's website to be filled out in advance ( CERE.DFA ).
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Are you registered in the "padrón"?
The "padrón" is an official list of people that are currently living in each municipality. Each town has the obligation to have an updated list of neighbors with their basic details and current address, and each person has the obligation to update their situation in said list. For example, if you move from one house to another, you have to let the town hall know you have a different address and update your "empadronamiento" inscription.
If you haven't done this yet, we highly encourage you to complete this process first of all and as soon as possible, since some town halls may take quite some time to complete the registration or have a long waiting list to actually get an appointment.
The documentation you need to bring to the town hall to be registered in the padrón is as follows:
- Passport / ID card + 1 copy of said document
- Copy of your property title deeds / rental contract
- Last council tax receipt
- Recent water / electricity bill
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Why should I register to vote for local elections in Spain?
As you all know, voting is the only way to be heard and participate in the administration of the town/city you live in. By voting, you are able to make yourself heard and make the changes that you believe are the best for the municipality.
Who can register to vote in Spain?
There are mainly 2 different groups of people who are allowed to vote in Spain. Based on your nationality, different rules and limitations will apply, so here we go through each option:
EU nationals
For EU nationals, the requirements are just 2 and are quite simple:
- You must be registered in the padrón "empadronado" at your current address.
- You must be registered in the electoral roll.
‘Empadronarse’ means to register on the ‘padrón’ (register) and is done at the town hall of the locality where you reside.
To register in the padrón, " empadronarse", you must apply by providing the required documentation at the town hall where you have your habitual residence.
The town hall is responsible for compiling and managing it.
Local councils are responsible for keeping it up to date, sending data to the National Statistics Institute (INE), which publishes the official population figures.
The "padrón" is a municipal register. The town council is responsible for compiling and managing it. To register, you have to apply to the council of the municipality of your habitual residence and supply the requested documents.
There is only one requirement for the formality of stating your intention to vote in municipal elections in Spain: you must already be on the electoral roll and complete the form, either on paper at the town hall or remotely at the Electronic Office of INE . The paper form can be obtained from the INE's website to be filled out in advance ( CERE.DFA ).
Are you registered in the "padrón"?
The "padrón" is an official list of people that are currently living in each municipality. Each town has the obligation to have an updated list of neighbors with their basic details and current address, and each person has the obligation to update their situation in said list. For example, if you move from one house to another, you have to let the town hall know you have a different address and update your "empadronamiento" inscription.
If you haven't done this yet, we highly encourage you to complete this process first of all and as soon as possible, since some town halls may take quite some time to complete the registration or have a long waiting list to actually get an appointment.
The documentation you need to bring to the town hall to be registered in the padrón is as follows:
- Passport / ID card + 1 copy of said document
- Copy of your property title deeds / rental contract
- Last council tax receipt
- Recent water / electricity bill
Non-EU nationals
For non-EU nationals, based on nationality, there are different requirements that apply in order to be able to vote in local elections.
Citizencs from United Kingdom, Norway and
limitations to being registered in the "padrón" and also the census to participate in local elections.
