Saturday opening hours help expats « Euro Weekly News
Estepona Town Hall has launched a campaign to encourage residents to register on the municipal padrón if they live in the area but are not officially registered (and there are quite a few), warning that being on the register can also be an important step towards voting in next May’s local elections.
The council estimates that around 20,000 people living in Estepona are missing from its municipal register, compared with approximately 85,000 residents who are registered there at present.
Easier access to officially register
To make registration easier, the town hall will open on three Saturdays in November (November 14, 21 and 28) between 10am and 2pm. Residents will be able to complete the process without making an appointment.
Appointments will no longer be compulsory on weekdays. People can either book a time or attend during public opening hours and wait to be seen. Registration is also available through the council’s online electronic office.
Get your vote registered for the local elections
The campaign has particular relevance for foreign residents ahead of the local elections on May 23, 2027. However, being on the padrón does not automatically give non-Spanish nationals the right to vote: eligible residents must also complete the relevant electoral registration procedure.
Citizens of other EU countries who have not previously declared their intention to vote in Spanish local elections must do so by December 30, 2026. British residents can vote under the reciprocal agreement between Spain and the UK, provided they meet the conditions, including at least three years of uninterrupted legal residence in Spain before applying. EWN previously explained how British expats can register to vote in Spain’s 2027 local elections.
Time is running out to register to vote
The application period for British nationals and other eligible citizens from countries with reciprocal agreements runs from December 1, 2026, to January 15, 2027. The Spanish National Statistics Institute’s official voting guidance explains the different requirements and registration deadlines.
Estepona Town Hall says its campaign is providing information to foreign residents about the requirements and deadlines for exercising their voting rights. The issue has also been covered in EWN’s report on foreign residents being encouraged to register for the 2027 elections.
Residents can find registration forms and voting information on the council’s website or contact the town hall on 952 809 000.
