Moving to the Canary Islands involves one of the most important administrative procedures of your new life: the change of municipal registration (empadronamiento). Without it you will not be able to enjoy the tax advantages of the REF (IGIC instead of VAT, the resident discount, regional allowances), nor will you be able to access the Canarian health system. This guide explains the process step by step, the required documents, and the deadlines to observe.
What is the empadronamiento and why is it compulsory?
The empadronamiento is registration in the Padrón Municipal de Habitantes (Municipal Residents' Register), a register that each local council maintains for the people who habitually reside within its boundaries. The law requires you to register in the municipality where you actually live, not where your ID card or property is registered.
For a move to the Canary Islands, registration gives you access to:
- Health card from the Canarian Health Service (SCS)
- 75% discount on flights and ferries to and from the mainland and between the islands (residents' discount)
- A place in a public school in the municipality
- Regional tax allowances on income tax (IRPF), inheritance and donations
- AIEM exemption (Canarian import tariff) for moves involving a change of residence: your used belongings are exempt
When to register
Legally you must register as soon as you establish your habitual residence, with no specific deadline — but it is recommended within the first 30 days. As many benefits (resident discount, AIEM) require prior registration, it is advisable to do it as soon as possible.
Required documentation
Each Canarian municipality has its own requirements, but the common documents are:
If you own the property
- ID card/NIE in force (original and photocopy)
- Title deeds or a recent extract from the Land Registry
- Official registration application form, signed
If you are renting
- Registered or stamped rental contract (some municipalities require a deposit with the Urban Property Chamber)
- Latest utility bill (electricity, water, or gas) in the applicant's name
- Written authorisation from the landlord and a copy of their ID card (required by some councils only)
If you are living with a family member or acquaintance
- Signed authorisation from the property owner + copy of their ID card
- Proof of ownership or rental for the property owner
- Your ID card/NIE
How to apply: available options
In person at the council offices
This is still the quickest route in many municipalities. You book an appointment (via the council's website or by phone) and attend with your original documents. You receive the registration certificate on the spot or within 7–15 days by post.
Online with a digital certificate
If you have a digital certificate or Cl@ve PIN, almost all large councils (Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Telde, Arona…) allow online registration. You upload scanned documents and receive the certificate in your online citizen folder. Guide: how to obtain your digital certificate.
By post
Some smaller councils allow this, with documents sent with a notarised signature. It is slower (2–4 weeks) and not recommended if you need to activate your health card urgently.
After registration: procedures you must complete
1. Change of address on your ID card/NIE
Book an appointment at any National Police station. With your registration certificate they will update the address on the back of your ID card/NIE free of charge.
2. Registration with the Canarian Health Service (SCS)
Go to your local health centre (assigned according to your registered address). You will be allocated a GP and a Canarian health card. If you are coming from another region of Spain, your previous card will lose its full coverage once you change health authority.
3. Vehicle and driving licence
You have 6 months to update the address on your vehicle registration certificate at the Provincial Traffic Authority. Updating your driving licence is optional but advisable.
4. Tax authority: change of fiscal domicile declaration
Form 030 via the AEAT electronic office. Important: from the tax year in which you are registered in the Canary Islands, you will file your income tax return as a Canarian resident and the corresponding regional allowances will apply.
Registration and moving with Horizont Atlantic
If you are moving from mainland Spain, the registration certificate from your PREVIOUS address (with at least 12 months' history) is the key document to benefit from the AIEM exemption and NOT pay Canarian import tariff on your personal belongings. We help you gather the documents during the quote process and submit them in the DUA (customs declaration) on your behalf.
Important deadline
The AIEM exemption must be applied for within 12 months of the actual change of residence. If you bring your belongings after that deadline, you will lose the right to the exemption.
Frequently asked questions
Can I register before I have an address in the Canary Islands?
No. Registration requires a specific address where you habitually reside. However, you can temporarily register at the home of a family member or friend, and then change to your new address once you sign the lease or purchase deed.
What if I live between two islands or between the Canary Islands and the mainland?
You can only be registered in one municipality. Choose the one where you reside for more than 6 months of the year.
How long does it take?
In person: same day or 7–15 days for the certificate. Online: 7–21 days. By post: 2–4 weeks.
