Registration (empadronamiento) is one of the first procedures that any foreign person must complete when settling in Barcelona. It is mandatory for everyone living in the city, regardless of their administrative status.

In addition to being a legal requirement, registration is the gateway to essential services such as public healthcare, school enrolment for minors, social assistance, and many other administrative procedures.

What is the municipal registration?

Municipal registration is the official record of your habitual residence in a municipality. In Barcelona, this record is part of the Municipal Register of Inhabitants.

By registering, you become a recognised resident of Barcelona, which grants you rights and responsibilities within the city. You do not need to have legal residency to complete this process.

Who must register?

Anyone who:

• Moves to Barcelona from another country.
• Moves from another municipality in Spain.
• Lives in Barcelona but is not yet listed in the municipal register.
• Does not have regular residency status or cannot prove it (they can still register).

Why is registration important?

• Registration allows you to:
• Access public healthcare.
• Enrol your children in educational centres.
• Apply for social assistance or benefits.
• Process residence permits or regularisation procedures.
• Obtain the registration certificate, required for many administrative processes.

Required Documentation

The documentation may vary depending on your situation, but it usually includes:

• DNI if you are Spanish; passport or ID card for EU citizens; passport or NIE for non‑EU foreigners.
• Registration form (available for download on the City Council website).

A document proving your address, such as:

• Rental contract.
• Property deed.
• Signed authorisation from the owner of the dwelling.

What if I don’t have a rental contract, property deed, or authorisation from the owner?

Barcelona recognises situations of vulnerability or informal housing arrangements. In exceptional cases, you can register with no fixed address, which is fully valid for all immigration procedures except those requiring proof of adequate housing, as well as for Spanish citizenship procedures.
How to complete the procedure

Barcelona offers several options:

1. Online

Ideal if you already have the required documentation. You can upload your documents and receive a response by email.

2. In person

You can go to a Citizen Service Office (OAC). An appointment is required.

3. By phone

In some cases, the City Council allows the procedure to be initiated by telephone.

The process is free of charge and usually quick.

Practical tips for newly arrived foreigners

• Register as soon as possible after arriving in Barcelona.
• Always keep a copy of your registration certificate (valid for 3 months). By scanning the QR code on it, you can download a digital copy to your mobile phone.
• If you share a flat, agree with your flatmates or the contract holder on how to manage the authorisation.
• Check the validity of your documents: some may need to be legalised or translated depending on your country of origin.

Important note: city councils do not report to the police or immigration authorities when registering people without a residence permit, so registration only brings benefits for individuals in an irregular situation.