Families and remote workers from the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and Scandinavia, plus retirees and seasonal residents who convert a holiday home into a main residence.
Registering in your municipality
Empadronamiento is handled by your own town hall, not by an island authority. Palma runs its own appointment calendar and document list, while smaller municipalities such as Calvià, Andratx, Pollença or Manacor publish their own. If you rent, several island town halls ask for the owner's ID or a signed authorisation on top of the contract.
- Your padrón determines your school catchment, healthcare centre and local tax bills
- Each town hall publishes its own list, which is why we confirm it per address
Decided by Ajuntament (town hall) of your municipality.
Local taxes and charges
The annual road tax (IVTM) and the property tax (IBI) are set by your municipality, so two neighbours in different towns pay different amounts for a similar home. Balearic transfer tax on property is set by the regional government.
Decided by Your ajuntament and the Agència Tributària de les Illes Balears. Agencia Tributaria (AEAT)
Schools
Public and concertado schools teach mainly in Catalan, with Spanish and English. Places are allocated on a points system in which your registered address weighs heavily, so the padrón is effectively part of the school application. International schools around Palma, Calvià and Santa Ponça run their own admissions.
Decided by Conselleria d'Educació, Govern de les Illes Balears.
Healthcare
Public healthcare is run by IB-Salut. You are assigned to the health centre of your registered address, so the padrón again comes first. EU citizens moving permanently swap the S1 or their national cover for a Spanish health card once they are registered.
Decided by IB-Salut, Servei de Salut de les Illes Balears. Seguridad Social (INSS)
Housing
Long-term rentals are scarce because much of the stock is seasonal, and landlords routinely ask for a NIE before they sign. Holiday-let licences are strictly regulated on the island, so a property advertised for tourists is not automatically available as a residence.
Banking
Every major Spanish bank has branches in Palma and the larger towns. A NIE and a proof of address are the standard opening requirements, which is why the NIE usually comes before the bank account, the rental contract and the utility switch.
Utilities
Electricity and water contracts are transferred rather than newly created in most homes. Water is often billed by the municipality or a municipal company, so the process differs between Palma and the smaller towns.
Getting around
Palma has a metro line, a city bus network and the TIB inter-urban buses that reach most of the island. Outside the Palma area a car is close to essential for daily life.
Moving with family
Every family member needs their own NIE and their own padrón entry, including children. Registering the whole household at once avoids repeating the same appointment later for a school or healthcare application.
