Registering on the municipal register (known as empadronamiento in Spanish) gives residents access to local public services, including healthcare, education and transport. It is also required for obtaining documents such as an identity card and helps determine how public resources are allocated among municipalities.
Being registered at your actual address is a legal requirement when you move home. But what happens if someone who does not live there is registered at your property? Here's how to find out who is registered at your address and what you can do about it.
- How can I find out who is registered at my address?
- Why is it important to know how many people are registered at my address?
- What should I do if people are registered at my address but no longer live there?
- Fines for being registered at an address where you do not live
- Risks of having people registered at your address who do not live there
- How many people can be registered at one address?
How can I find out who is registered at my address?
The process depends on whether or not you live at the property:
- If you are registered at the address, you can request a certificate of cohabitation, which shows who is registered at the same property.
- If you own the property but do not live there, you can request a census report from the town or city hall. You will need to prove ownership, and for data protection reasons, authorities will generally provide only the number of registered residents rather than their names.
These documents can usually be requested from your local council in person, online or by telephone, depending on the town or city. In some cases, identification with an electronic ID card may be required.
Why is it important to know how many people are registered at my address?
Knowing who is registered at your property provides greater control and security, while also helping to avoid potential legal or administrative issues. It can be useful for several reasons:
- To verify who is registered at your property and avoid potential fraud or identity misuse.
- To complete administrative procedures, such as applying for an identity card, passport, social assistance benefit or minimum income support.
- To establish your habitual residence and access local public services, including healthcare, education and transport.
- To exercise your right to vote in local, regional and national elections.
What should I do if people are registered at my address but no longer live there?
If someone remains registered at your address despite no longer living there, you can ask the local council to begin the process of deregistering them, even without their consent.
Although procedures vary by municipality, the following steps are generally required:
- Try to resolve the matter amicably first by asking the person to update their registered address.
- Submit a request for deregistration due to improper registration to the local council, either online or in person.
- Prove your connection to the property by providing your ID and documents such as the title deed, land registry extract or tenancy agreement.
- Explain the situation and provide supporting evidence, if available.
- Wait for the objection period granted by the council to the affected individual.
- Allow address verification, which may include a visit from the local police before deregistration is processed.
The local council must follow an administrative procedure and ensure the affected person has the opportunity to present objections, so deregistration is not usually immediate.
Fines for being registered at an address where you do not live
Registration carries legal, administrative and tax implications, so the information provided must be accurate and kept up to date whenever there is a change of address.
According to Spain's Local Government Act, false registration can result in a fine ranging from €100 to €10,000, depending on the severity of the infringement and how long the fraudulent registration has been maintained.
In addition, the individual may be required to repay any benefits obtained improperly through the false registration, such as welfare assistance, grants or access to schools.
Risks of having people registered at your address who do not live there
Property owners can also be negatively affected by false registrations, which may result in:
- An increase in local tax liabilities, where applicable.
- The loss of tax benefits associated with a primary residence.
- Additional complications when selling or renting out the property.
How many people can be registered at one address?
There is no fixed limit on the number of people who can be registered at the same address, provided they genuinely reside there.
As a final point, remember that the local council can verify the accuracy of registration details at any time and may impose penalties where fraud is detected.
