Last Updated on April 18, 2026 by Bruno Bianchi
Question
I got my Spain non lucrative visa but will be living with a friend at his home. My Padron and TIE appointment are only a week apart… What do I show for my TIE appointment without a rental contract?
What type of documentation would I present at the TIE appointment? I heard a Padron could take a while.
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These are the answers of Spainguru’s Spanish Non Lucrative Visa group members:
“Yes, it depends on the location. We applied for the TIE first, and they didn’t ask about the Padrón certificate or even if we had applied for it. Our Padrón certificate took 5 days to arrive by mail, and the TIE took 30 days.”
“Take the solicitud de certificado de empadronamiento, it’s the form you get saying you have applied for the padrón.”
“Some places give the Padrón certificate on the same day.”
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“You still have to get your empadronamiento before your TIE. Since you will be living with your friend, there is a form that your friend must complete, adding you to his padrón. In most regions, you receive your certificate that same day.
What may slow the process is getting appointments for both the empadronamiento and TIE, long waits. I understand that you have 30 days to get this accomplished, but the authorities know about the long wait times and do not penalize you if it takes longer.”
“Take your friend and your passport to the Ayuntamiento to get the Padrón done. Most often, you don’t need an appointment, but if you do, it should be quick. Your friend has to prove they live there legally (own the place or have a contract that says that he can have others live there), and then they will be able to vouch for you.”
“For the TIE, do you have any suggestions if they don’t issue the padrón before our appointment?”
“They will tell you to come back when you have it.”
“I have read online that your friend can write a letter stating he is hosting you. This would then need signing by a Notary.”
Conclusion
When applying for the Spain non lucrative visa and living with a friend, the process of getting a Padrón and TIE can vary by location. Based on group member feedback, some areas allow you to apply for the TIE without the Padrón, while in others, it may be required beforehand.
If your Padrón is delayed, taking the solicitud (the form confirming you’ve applied for it) to the TIE appointment should suffice. Additionally, bringing your friend to the Ayuntamiento to vouch for your living situation might expedite the process.
However, if you don’t have the Padrón by the TIE appointment, it’s likely you’ll need to return when it’s ready.
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