How to “empadronarse” in Madrid

How to get your form the Madrid government Web site

EMPADRONAMIENTO – What does it mean?

Basically, “Empadronamiento” is the act of registering yourself as an inhabitant of the city. By law, you need to register! Besides, it has some great benefits. Once you are registered, you can:

1) get on the pubic health system and get a health card
2) get married
3) send your kids to public schools
4) vote
5) apply for certain visas
6) *Apply for residency (every now and then, there is a general Amnesty for illegal immigrants. Being “empadronado” is the way to prove how long you have been in Spain. Often, you need to prove you have been here for a number of years to take advantage of these amnesties.

BUT I AM WORKING IllEGALLY!!! – will they arrest me when I do this and ship be to some Andalusian prision?

No, no, no, and NO. The information you provide is confidential. They will NOT use this info to hunt you down for overstaying your visa. They simply want an accurate idea of who is living in the city.

HOW TO APPLY

1) you can do it online, as mentioned at the top if this article
2) you can go in person to the same address they give you in the online form (based on your postal code). This does have one benefit: you can pick up your “Empadronamiento” temporary card (called a “volante”) the same day you register.

Your application must include the following:

* The application form (hoja de empadromiento):

* Copy of your ID: Passport, DNI or national identity card, residency card, NIE, etc.

* Proof of residence (on the application form, one of your “empadronado-ed roomates can vouch for you, otherwise you’ll need to get your landlord to sign).

OKAY I’VE DONE IT, NOW WHAT?

If you’ve downloaded the form on the Internet and doing this by mail, they’ll send you your Volante of Empadronamiento in the mail. If you go in person, you’ll get it on the spot, as mentioned earlier.

WHAT DOES THE VOLANTE OF EMADRONAMIENTO MEAN?

It means, basically, “You’re one of us, baby!” This “volante” officially proves your residency in the community. It’s more of a temp card though. If you want the REALLY OFFICIAL proof, you’ll need to get a CERTIFICATE OF EMPADRONAMIENTO, which is useful when dealing with the Spanish government, legal procedures, et cetera. The Volante is usually free, though the certificate may or may not carry a fee; depends on where you live.

* The application form (hoja de empadromiento): The office that processes the applications will be able to provide you with one.
* Documentation that accredits your identity (and those of your children if you are applying as a family): Passport, DNI or national identity card, residency card, NIE, etc.
* Proof that you live where you say you live.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

1) When you move to a new place, do this process again. Don’t worry, they’ll inform your old municipality that you have moved for you
2) Ilegal immigrants need to make sure to “empadronarse” every two years. DO IT! You don’t want to miss out on the change of an amnesty by having them throw our your records.

More info to come as MAP Magazione continues it’s Special Report on “The Road To Residency”