As pointed out by National Statistics Institute (INE), the Municipal register It is the administrative registry where the residents of the municipality appear. Every person who lives in Spain is obliged to register in the Register of the municipality in which they live. habitually reside and those who live in several municipalities must register only in the one they live in for the longest time per year.
However, sometimes the fact of being registered in a place and live in anothereither because you have not registered with the new town hall where you live or other factors. Is it legal this practice?
Taking into account current legislation, the truth is that no. Every person must be registered in the place where they usually reside. Otherwise you can face financial fines or, even ultimately, to prison.
He Royal Decree 1690/1986 contemplates sanctions for falsehood or omission of data in the Register, which entail fines depending on the municipality or city.
- Municipalities between 5,001 and 20,000 registered: fine of 3 euros
- Municipalities between 20,001 and 50,000 registered: fine of 60 euros
- Municipalities between 50,001 and 500,000 registered: fine of 90 euros
- Municipalities with more than 500,000 registered residents: fine of 150 euros
Although these sanctions do not seem to be of great importance a priori, the truth is that if the person in question has a history or have used this bad practice for profit could end up in jail, with penalties ranging from six months to three years.
The consequences of not being registered in your place of residence
Beyond the legality, the truth is that not being registered in the place of habitual residence presents a series of practical problems, As is the case of going to the doctor, you will have to go to the municipality in which you are registered, or you will have to move to vote.