I got very confused when somebody said I need to obtain “Padron” before I apply for Certificado de Registro (which now includes an NIE). But I need to have an NIE to apply for Padron. It’s a real Catch 22. Could somebody help me with this? I’m just wondering whether I could apply for Certificado before Padron. Thanks in advance.

It varies region to region but must seem to want you to padron first so that they get central government funding based on accurate population. Just get all your papers, photos etc together and do the rounds it is all part of the experience!

Go to your local town hall they eill help you out.
What area do you live in.

I don’t know yet where I will end up living, but I’m looking at the Exiample area. My husband and I are coming to Barcelona in late March before we make our permanent move in June. That’s why I think it could be very tricky to apply for Padron. We are just hoping to find an apartment in March and reserve it (i.e. asking our realtor for a contract that starts from June or so) until we get there for good. Of course, I don’t know whether it’s possible. In the absence of this knowledge, I’m wondering how I could apply for Padron. I just want to know whether I can apply for Certificado before getting a Padron. Thanks in advance.

you can get nie on its own but better to do so when you are here so may as well get nie and cerificado (for which you’ll need rental contract) together in June. then you can go for padron which, in my experience, needs certificado.

bcnmover - 14 November 2008 04:26 AM

I don’t know yet where I will end up living, but I’m looking at the Exiample area. My husband and I are coming to Barcelona in late March before we make our permanent move in June. That’s why I think it could be very tricky to apply for Padron. We are just hoping to find an apartment in March and reserve it (i.e. asking our realtor for a contract that starts from June or so) until we get there for good. Of course, I don’t know whether it’s possible. In the absence of this knowledge, I’m wondering how I could apply for Padron. I just want to know whether I can apply for Certificado before getting a Padron. Thanks in advance.

I suppose with the current crisis you’ll not have any problem in convincing the landlord to sign a contract starting from june 2009 ... although I doubt he’ll do it unless you pay at least the fianza (deposit = 1 or 2 months in advance, that he’ll give you back if and when you leave the flat).
In June, when you finally arrive, you go ... (I don’t know exctly where in Barcelona; in Alicante where I live you go to a specific Department of the City Hall) with the contract (original + 1 photocopy) + your passport and ask for the empadronamiento and 3 original copies of the relvant certificate. It’ll take you 5 minutes (but maybe you’ll have to queue for a while before you get to the counter ...) and in Alicante is free of charge. (*)

With the 3 original copies of the empadronamiento certificate + your passport + photoes + the form you can download in Internet (please carefully read what other documents and/or photocopies they require before you set the appointment) you go to the Extrangeria and apply for the NIE.

(*) Please note: the empadronamiento shall have to be done for all the family members. When I did it here ... there was no problem for me (I was the one who signed the contract) but then I had to declare that my husband, who accompanied me, was living with me 😖 so that he could get the empadronamiento certificate as well. I suggest you check how are things now ...

:coolsmile:

Thanks so much for the answer. My husband’s employer in Barcelona suggested the following based on their previous experience.

[“We” here is the employer]

a) We write you the letter that says that you will have a contract with us
b) You rent an apartment
c) With the contract of the apartment you get your “padron”
d) With the “padron” you get the NIE (actually it will be a Certificado de Registro that also have your NIE)
e) With the NIE you open a bank account
f) With your NIE, we file your contract

The hindside of this is that our contract won’t be able to start until June or so, which will be a possible setback for applying for Padron.
Does the chain of actions sound feasible even without the “Padron” part? Thanks in advance.

bcnmover - 14 November 2008 11:57 PM

Thanks so much for the answer. My husband’s employer in Barcelona suggested the following based on their previous experience.

[“We” here is the employer]

a) We write you the letter that says that you will have a contract with us
b) You rent an apartment
c) With the contract of the apartment you get your “padron”
d) With the “padron” you get the NIE (actually it will be a Certificado de Registro that also have your NIE)
e) With the NIE you open a bank account
f) With your NIE, we file your contract

The hindside of this is that our contract won’t be able to start until June or so, which will be a possible setback for applying for Padron.
Does the chain of actions sound feasible even without the “Padron” part? Thanks in advance.

I’m afraid it doesn’t. You need to be able to demonstrate that you currently live in Spain, and the only document is the padron = certificado de empadronamiento. The letter from the company ... I’m afraid is not enough. Besides ... it’s by no means as binding as a contract and therefore the employer could change his mind any moment. It happened a couple of months ago to a friend of mine: he had already booked the flight and 3 days before departure to Valencia he received a mail from the employer advising that due to the crisis the company couldn’t employ him anymore, because they were already dismissing other employees. Since he had already received and signed the relevant contract I understand he’s gone to his lawyer and they’re trying to solve the matter without going to Court.

What you need, to show the landlord and to protect you from ... some sudden change of mind of your employer is ... a contract. There is no law that forbids signing now a contract that will be effective in X months. Other option is a legal document prepared by a lawyer or notary public, where the employer ‘promises’ to employ your husband. This document could eventually be used in Court.