Can someone tell me exactly what an enpadronamiento is and when is it required ie is it necessary to apply for a gas contract.
If so, what documentation do I need to bring with me to apply for it?
Is it for residents only? I am a non resident.
All it is is registering at your Ayuntamiento to state that you live there. It’s a bit like going on the electoral register in the UK. It benefits the town in which you live because they receive more dosh for more people! You don’t need to be resident, you just need an address. You just take along your escritura, rental contract whatever and a few days later you return to pick up your certificate. Have never had to produce mine for anything. Yet. Though I think you need it if you have kids you want to put in school, that sort of thing.
The Padron Municipal is basically a municipal registry. It’s used to keep track of where everyone lives, so that tax money can allocated to the different municipalities. It also doubles as a voter registration list. You have to be “empadronado” (registered) in order to apply for various social assisstance provided by the Ayuntamiento (Town Hall) as well as to take part in any programs that they may sponsor. It basically is how you legally become considered a “vecino” (inhabitant) of a city or town. All the personal information that you give the Town Hall is strictly confidential.
You’ll need the original and the copy of your passport or residence card as well as proof that you actually live in the town (property deed, rental contract, etc.). If you’ve never registered before you’ll also have to sign a statement to that effect — they’ll provide you with a form. If you want to register children, you need a Libro de familia or birth certificates.
The reason why you need to be registered for your gas contract is because you need to pay a municipal tax for gas and water.
registering is actually a legal requirement, once you live somewhere for 6 months or more, or as soon as you know you´ll be there for over 6 months.
You´ll certainly need a certificado de empadronamiento, in order to buy a Spanish car.
The certificate has a validity of 3 months from date of issue, the registration itself, is indefinite.. untiul you die, or register elsewhere in Spain.