Empadronamiento in Málaga (registering at the town hall)

What it is

Empadronamiento means registering your address on the padrón, the list of residents kept by your town hall. You'll need your padrón certificate for your health card, your TIE, school places and many other procedures. Registering is free.

This guide is for Málaga city. If you live elsewhere in the province (Marbella, Fuengirola, Torremolinos…), register at that town's own town hall.

Before you start

You'll need:

ID: your passport, TIE or EU ID card.
Proof of your address, one of:
- Renting: your current rental contract, a copy of the landlord's ID, and a recent utility bill (water, electricity or gas) for the property.
- Owner: your deeds or a recent utility bill in your name.
- Living in someone else's home: their written authorisation, a copy of their ID, and proof they own or rent it.
The registration form (hoja padronal), available at the office or online.

Steps

Choose how to apply: online through GESTRISAM (the city's tax and padrón service) or the town hall's electronic office if you have a digital certificate, or in person with an appointment.
Book an appointment if applying in person, through the GESTRISAM website or by phone. You can choose the office when you book.
Bring your ID and proof of address and fill in the registration form.
Get your padrón certificate (volante or certificado de empadronamiento). Ask for one while you're there, because you'll need it for other procedures.

Cost

Free.

Common pitfalls

Bring the landlord's ID copy if you rent; it's often forgotten.
Utility bills must be recent and for the same address.
Short-term holiday rentals may not be accepted as proof of residence.
Other procedures ask for a recent certificate (often less than three months old), so request a new one when needed.

When to ask a helper

If your landlord won't give you the documents, or you live in a shared or unofficial flat, ask someone who registered in Málaga recently.