Empadronamiento

Registration on the padrón, the municipal census of residents kept by each town hall. It is the official proof of living in that municipality and the gateway to services and procedures: enrolling children in school, obtaining the health card, exchanging a driving licence, proving residence in immigration procedures or accessing municipal aid. It is done at the town hall by presenting the deed or rental contract and identification; it is free, and anyone living more than six months a year in the municipality is obliged to register. It does not by itself make you a tax resident, but it is an indication the tax office weighs, so those who do not wish to be one should handle it judiciously. The certificate is usually required to be less than three months old.