“Padrón” (Census)

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What is “Padrón”/Census? This is the administrative record of all residents living in a municipality. The information in the register serves as official proof that you reside in that municipality.

What is “Empadronamiento”? This is the moment when a person is officially registered in the municipal register. From that point on, s/he is considered a resident of that municipality. Registration is both a right and a legal requirement, and it is necessary in order to:

  • Access the public health system. More information
  • Access the Social Services network.
  • Access the education system (for children under 16). More information
  • Prove your continuous stay in Spain, which is necessary to regularize your administrative status through the process known as “arraigo”. More information.

Rememeber that registering in the municipal register (“padrón”) is a free procedure. It is illegal to charge money for helping someone get registered at an address.

How to Register in the “Padrón”?

Where? At the Town Hall where you live. In Pamplona, go to “Oficina de Atención Ciudadana” (Calle Mayor 2, ground floor).
You must book an appointment in advance:

  • By phone: 948 420 100 or 010
  • Online: through the city’s official website.
    If you need an urgent appointment for the same day, you must call at 8:00 a.m..

Required documents:

  • Original and valid identification document: Passport, National ID (DNI), Residence Card (NIE), or an identity document from an EU country. If the document has expired, you must also provide proof of your renewal appointment. If it has been lost or stolen, include a copy of the police report or a report from the duty court, along with the appointment for its renewal.
  • Document proving that you actually live at the address:

If the property belongs to another person: You only need to submit this document: Authorization to register at an address, signed by the owner of the property. If the owner does not come in person, you must also include a photocopy of their ID. (It is not necessary to provide the property deeds, as the Town Hall already has access to them.)

If the property is rented: Provide the rental contract and the latest rent payment receipt. If the contract is not in your name, you must also include the same document as before Authorization to register at an address signed by the person whose name is on the rental contract and who is already registered at the address, along with a photocopy of their ID.

What if You Don’t Have a Permanent Home?

You can request to be registered (empadronado) at a fictitious or social address, depending on what the local Town Hall allows.
Social Services will give you an appointment to assess your situation. After this evaluation, they may issue a report recommending your registration.

Organizations that can help you submit this request in Pamplona:

  • PIM-MIG
    Email: pim.irunea@gmail.com
    Phone: 681 97 14 64 (WhatsApp only)
  • Apoyo Mutuo – Elkarri Laguntza
    Address: Avda. Marcelo Celayeta, 60
    Hours: Mondays from 10:00 to 14:00
  • SOS Racismo Nafarroa
    Address: C/ Zapatería, 31
    Phone: 948 211 521
  • Haritu
    Address: C/ Navarrería, 25 (Zabaldi)

Renewing Your “Empadronamiento”:

If you are a non-EU foreign national without a permanent residence permit, you must renew your registration every 2 years.
If you don’t renew it, your registration will be cancelled, and you will lose your registration history, which is essential for regularizing your legal status in Spain. The Town Hall usually sends a notice to the address where you are registered.
To renew your registration, you only need that document and your personal identification document.

“Padrón” Regulations

The content on this page is for informational purposes only.
We appreciate it if you let us know about any errors or missing information.