/housing·2024·Madrid·1y ago·@bytejp56

Empadronamiento Madrid: 4 visits before they accepted my padron

After reading the title, I definitely commiserate. My empadronamiento experience in Madrid was less dramatic than four visits, but still far from straightforward. I’m on a digital nomad visa, and the process took me two in-person attempts and about three weeks of back and forth, mainly because of my rental contract. My first appointment was at the Oficina de Atención a la Ciudadanía in Chamberí, and they almost immediately rejected my paperwork because my landlord's NIE wasn't listed on the contract. Apparently, a DNI wasn't sufficient for their system. I was also renting a room, not an entire apartment, which seemed to add another layer of scrutiny. I went back to my landlord, explained the situation, and thankfully he was understanding enough to provide a revised contract with his NIE. This took about a week to get sorted. My second appointment was at the same office, and this time they accepted everything. The whole thing cost me nothing in euros, just a lot of wasted time and a few phone calls to my landlord. It felt like a small victory after such a bureaucratic hurdle just to say I lived somewhere. Honestly, it makes me wonder how many DNV holders run into similar issues. The rules seem to be applied quite strictly, and a single missing piece of information can send you back to square one. My advice would be to triple check every single detail on your rental agreement before even making an appointment. Ensure your landlord's full details, including their NIE, are clearly stated. And if you're renting a room, make sure your contract explicitly mentions the room number or specific area you'll be occupying within the property.

#housing

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17 REPLIES

@miguel_svq·1y ago

Chamberi is notoriously picky. I went to the office in Tetuan and they didn't even look at the landlord's NIE. They just wanted the original contract signed by both parties and my passport. It honestly feels like every neighborhood has its own secret set of rules even though it is the same city council. Did you have to bring your actual landlord with you or just the paper? I've heard some people are being told the owner has to show up in person now if it is a room rental.

@matrixbcn·1y ago

The owner showing up is rare but it happens if the contract looks unofficial. Usually the 'autorizacion de empadronamiento' form signed by the owner is enough. I always tell people to bring that form just in case the contract isn't enough on its own. It saves a second trip.

@lucia_de·1y ago

I think the issue with the room rental is that the city is cracking down on over-occupied flats. They check how many people are already registered at that address. If there are already five people on the padron for a three bedroom place they will flag your application immediately. It might not even be your paperwork. It could just be that the apartment is full in the eyes of the government.

@roam·1y ago

this is so typical for the madrid ayuntamiento. it really depends on the specific person you get at the desk. my partner and i went to the office in chamberi and they almost rejected us because the landlord signed the form in blue ink instead of black. it is absurd. which office did you end up going to? i heard the ones further out from the center are a bit more relaxed.

@matrix_26·1y ago

honestly the ink thing is a myth they use whenever they want to be difficult. i went to the office in moncloa and they didnt even look at the signature color, they just wanted to see the original ibi receipt from the owner. it is total luck of the draw.

@gracia2545·1y ago

The room rental thing is the biggest hurdle for DNV people right now. I am in a similar spot in Arganzuela. My landlord doesnt want to give me a proper contract because he is probably not declaring the rent to the tax office. Without that contract I am stuck. This system assumes everyone has a standard long-term lease for a whole flat but that is not the reality for most of us starting out in 2024.

@goticops·1y ago

the hardest part for dnv people is always the lease duration. did they give you any trouble about having a temporary 11 month contract? last time i tried they told me it had to be long term or they wouldnt even process the application. i had to bring a printed copy of the law to show them it is legal for padron.

@wandergz50·1y ago

thanks for sharing this. i am going for my first appointment next week in tetuan and i am terrified. did you need to bring a physical copy of your tie or did they accept the digital version on the phone? i keep getting conflicting advice about whether they need paper for everything.

@alcalaus9·1y ago

always bring paper. everything in spain runs on physical copies. if you dont have it printed they will just tell you to leave and book a new appointment three weeks later. find a locutorio nearby just in case.

@flamencov21·1y ago

I am about to do this next week in Salamanca district and now I am terrified. I have my contract but it only has the landlord's DNI. Should I proactively ask him for his NIE or just risk it? The appointment system is so backed up that if I get rejected I might not get another slot for a month. This bureaucracy is the worst part of living in Madrid so far.

@diegoagx8·1y ago

Actually just bring a copy of their ID card. That usually solves any issues with numbers not matching up. If you have a photo of their DNI or NIE on your phone to print out you will be much safer.

@remote__remote·1y ago

If he is Spanish he wont have an NIE, he only has a DNI. The NIE is only for foreigners. The OP might have had a foreign landlord. Double check if your landlord is Spanish first before you annoy them with more paperwork request.

@agentpm·1y ago

Everyone Told me to go to the office in Moncloa because they are used to students and foreigners. I did that and it was way smoother than what I hear about Chamberi. It took ten minutes. It is worth taking the metro a bit further away to an office that doesnt treat every application like a criminal investigation. Did your landlord charge you extra to fix the contract? Mine tried to ask for a 50 euro processing fee which I refused.

@pixeluk·1y ago

the biggest gotcha for us was the landlord authorization form. we had the lease signed by both parties but they still insisted on a separate document signed by the owner authorizing us to register. it felt redundant since we literally have a legal contract but you cant argue with them. glad you finally got it sorted though. it is such a relief once that paper is in your hand.

@diegoagx8·1y ago

Four visits is insane but honestly I believe it. I had to go three times because they said my digital signature on the contract wasnt valid. They wanted a 'wet signature' with actual blue ink. In 2024 for a digital nomad visa holder it felt like a joke. Did they give you the paper on the spot once they finally accepted it or did you have to wait for it to arrive in the mail?

@iberian__design·1y ago

You should always get it on the spot if you go in person. If they tell you they will mail it they are usually just trying to get rid of you. Demand the 'volante' right then and there.

@driftergz87·1y ago

I am surprised they insisted on an NIE for the landlord. Usually a DNI is the standard for Spanish citizens. Are you sure your landlord isn't also an expat? My landlord is Spanish and his DNI was all I needed for my padron in Retiro. Maybe the clerk you got was just having a bad day or didn't know the difference. Either way it is a total headache and the inconsistency is what kills me.