Towns are continually growing in extension and population, although in some parts of Spain villages are slowly being abandoned.

Almuñécar is certainly growing in inhabitants because the official figure on the 1st of January this year is 26,748 inhabitants. Yes, Almuñécar has made a net gain of 858 people, according to the Instituto Nacional de Estadística. Births accounted for 707.

According to the Mayor, Trinidad Herrera, this is a growth of tourism campaigns: “this increase tells us that the campaigns that we have been running last year have been effective,” she said.

She mentioned that a consequence of Brexit, British residents, like everybody else from outside the EU, have to renew their empadronamiento every two years, which is a shorter duration than citizens of EU countries.

The Councillor for Citizen Participation, Beatriz González, pointed out that her department had sent out a reminder  to British residents for them to  confirm their empadronamiento status.

The Councillor for Hacienda, also known as The Dark Lord, Rafael Caballero, pointed out that being on the said list is an essential requirement for being able to vote in elections, obtaining a  place at school for children and a long etc. EU members can vote in the Local Elections but now British residents can’t even do that.

So, if you haven’t already done so, you can renew your empadronamiento or  simply check that you are still on the list, by popping along to the Oficinas de Atención a la Ciudadanía (OAC) or to the Registro Municipal. You will need a photo copy and original of your TIE or passport (non-residents). You will also need some kind of document that proves where you live, such as deeds, rental contract or bills in your name.

(News: Almunecar, Costa Tropical, Granada, Andalucia)