Can I register in a prefabricated house in Spain?

The boom of prefabricated houses and shipping container homes is changing the way many people perceive the concept of a home. Compared to traditional brick-built houses, more and more families and young people are opting for sustainable modular solutions that combine design, quick construction, and affordable prices.

What does registering in Spain mean?

Registration in Spain refers to the process of being officially listed in the Municipal Register of Inhabitants. This registry confirms your residence in a municipality, granting you several rights and responsibilities.

Benefits of being registered

  • Access to public healthcare and local health centers.
  • Right to enroll your children in nearby public schools.
  • Ability to vote in local and regional elections.
  • Required for obtaining official documents like your DNI, passport, or tax filings.
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The short answer is yes, you can register in a prefabricated house or even a shipping container home. The key factor is not the material of construction, but whether the house is officially recognized as a habitable dwelling.

Important considerations

To register in your prefabricated house, the following conditions must be met:

  • Legalized land: Your home must be on urban or buildable land authorized for residential use. If you place a container on agricultural land without permission, registration will likely be denied.
  • Building permit and technical project: Even if it’s a converted shipping container, it’s still considered construction and requires a project signed by an architect and a corresponding building permit.
  • Certificate of habitability: This document certifies that the house meets the necessary safety, hygiene, and health conditions.
  • Registration in the land registry and a street address: To register, your house needs to be in the land registry and have a recognized address.

With these requirements, your prefabricated house or shipping container home will be legally recognized, and you can register without any issues.

Prefabricated homes vs. shipping container homes: what’s the difference for registration?

Modular prefabricated homes

Modular prefabricated homes are built in a factory and then assembled on-site. They are highly versatile and can be adapted in size and design but usually require foundations and a technical project similar to conventional homes.

Shipping container homes

Shipping container homes are made from pre-existing structures that are robust and designed to withstand heavy loads and extreme conditions. At HomeContainer, we transform these modules into fully functional, customizable homes.

Registration in both cases

Both prefabricated homes and shipping container homes can be registered if they comply with municipal regulations and have the certificate of habitability. The difference is that shipping container homes, being designed with technical advice from the beginning, can more easily meet legal and habitability requirements.

What happens if the prefabricated house is not legalized?

Registering on agricultural land or without a permit

A common mistake is placing a container on agricultural land and thinking it can be used as a permanent residence. In most municipalities, residential use is not allowed on rustic land, and therefore, you won’t be able to register.

Special exceptions

The law allows people to register in informal housing (shacks, caravans, etc.) if they truly reside there. However, this is not advisable: such registration can be temporary, cause legal issues, or limit the future sale of the property.

The importance of full legalization

At HomeContainer, we always recommend full legalization: acquire suitable land, obtain the technical project, and ensure your home is registered in the land registry. This way, you can enjoy the peace of mind that your shipping container home is recognized legally.

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Benefits of registering in a shipping container home

Knowing that your prefabricated house is registered and recognized as a legitimate dwelling allows you to register it and access all municipal services.

Much more affordable

A shipping container home costs less than a traditional house. This means you can have your own home at a much lower investment, without sacrificing quality or comfort.

Quick and flexible

While traditional homes may take months or even years to build, a container home project can be ready in just a few weeks. Plus, the 6-meter and 12-meter modules can be customized, with the possibility of adding extra rooms or modules in the future.

Sustainable living

By repurposing shipping containers, we give a second life to structures that would otherwise go to waste, reducing environmental impact and promoting a more eco-friendly building model.

How we do it at HomeContainer

At HomeContainer, we treat every project like our own home. We specialize in transforming shipping containers into modern, comfortable, 100% legal modular homes.

Container sizes: the foundation of your new home

6-meter container

Ideal for those looking for a compact, functional home that’s easy to install. Perfect as a small first home, independent studio, or weekend getaway.

12-meter container

If you’re looking for more space, the 12-meter container is perfect. It allows for larger living rooms, multiple rooms, or even the combination of several modules to create a complete home.

Ready to live in your own prefabricated home?

If you’ve been wondering “Can I register in a prefabricated house?” now you know the answer is yes, as long as you meet the legal requirements. At HomeContainer, we are here to help make that dream a reality: a unique, custom-made home with the guarantee that you can register it as your official address.