How to book a cita previa at Extranjería step by step

What you'll need before you start

Booking an appointment, or cita previa (prior appointment), is the first official step for most immigration procedures in Spain. The system can be frustrating, but getting your documents ready beforehand makes it a bit smoother. Here’s what you should have on hand:

• Your ID document. This will be your passport number or, if you already have one, your NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero).
• The exact name of your procedure. You need to know what you're booking the appointment for. Is it your first NIE application, your TIE card fingerprinting, or your EU registration certificate? If you're not sure, our complete guide to the NIE and TIE explains the different steps.
• A valid email address. This is where they'll send the confirmation. Check it's an address you can access easily.
• A Spanish phone number. You'll receive a confirmation code via SMS to finalise the booking, so you'll need a working Spanish mobile number.

How to book your appointment step by step

The only official place to book a free appointment is the government's ICP portal. Let's walk through it.

1. Open the official portal. The government's booking system is called ICP. You can access it directly at the icp.administracionelectronica.gob.es website. This is the only legitimate place to book.
2. Select your province. On the first page, you'll see a dropdown menu labelled "PROVINCIAS DISPONIBLES". Choose the province where you live and need to do the paperwork. For example, select "Barcelona" or "Madrid". Once selected, click "Aceptar".
3. Choose the office and procedure. This is the most confusing part. You'll see a dropdown menu with different procedures. For immigration paperwork, you'll generally choose the main "Oficina de Extranjería" or, for many common tasks, a specific National Police station ("Comisaría de Policía"). The procedure names vary a lot by province. Look for options that contain "POLICIA".
   Common procedures include:
   • "POLICIA - ASIGNACIÓN DE NIE": For getting your NIE number for the first time.
   • "POLICIA - TOMA DE HUELLAS (EXPEDICIÓN DE TARJETA)": For fingerprinting to get your TIE card.
   • "POLICIA - RECOGIDA DE TARJETA DE IDENTIDAD DE EXTRANJERO (TIE)": For collecting your physical TIE card once it's ready.
   • "POLICIA - CERTIFICADO DE REGISTRO DE CIUDADANO DE LA U.E.": For EU citizens registering their residency.
   Read the list carefully and select the one that matches your goal. Then click "Aceptar".
4. Enter your personal details. The next page asks for your identification. You'll need to select your document type (usually "PASAPORTE" for non-EU citizens or NIE if you already have one) and enter the number. Then, type your full name exactly as it appears on your passport. Click "Aceptar" to continue.
5. Request the appointment. Now you're at the main appointment screen. Click the button that says "Solicitar Cita" (Request Appointment). The system will now search for available slots at your chosen office.
6. Choose a date and time. If there are appointments available, you'll see a calendar with dates and a dropdown with times. Select a slot that works for you and click "Siguiente" (Next). If there are no slots, you'll see a message saying so. We cover what to do in that case in the next section.
7. Confirm your details and get the code. The final step is to confirm the booking. Double-check your details (name, passport/NIE). You must enter your Spanish phone number and a valid email address twice. Tick the box to confirm you want to receive an email confirmation. Click "Confirmar". You'll receive an SMS with a code. Enter this code on the website to finalise the booking.
8. Save your confirmation. Success! The system will generate a PDF confirmation, known as the justificante. This document is essential. It contains your name, the office address, the date and time, and a unique confirmation number ("Nº de Justificante"). Save it to your phone and print a copy. You must bring this with you on the day.

What to do when there are no appointments

It's extremely common to see the message: "En este momento no hay citas disponibles." (There are no appointments available at this time). This is the biggest hurdle for many people. Don't panic, but be prepared to be persistent.

Retry, retry, and retry again

The simple, frustrating truth is that you have to keep trying. Appointments are in high demand and get booked within minutes of being released. Check the website multiple times a day.

Learn the unofficial timing

There is no official schedule for when new slots are released. However, based on years of user experience, people report the most success by checking at very specific times. New appointments tend to appear early in the week (Monday and Tuesday mornings) and very early in the morning, often between 8:00 and 9:30 AM Spanish time. Set an alarm and be ready with your details to book quickly.

Try other offices

If your province has multiple National Police stations that handle immigration paperwork, go back to the office selection step and try a different one. Smaller towns or stations further from the city centre sometimes have better availability.

How to check or cancel your appointment

If you can no longer make your appointment, please cancel it so someone else can use the slot. You can also check your appointment details if you've lost the confirmation.

Go to the main booking portal and look for the options "Consultar cita" (Check appointment) or "Anular cita" (Cancel appointment). You will need to enter your NIE or passport number and the confirmation number from your `justificante` to manage your booking.

What to bring on the day of your appointment

Arrive at the correct office about 10-15 minutes before your scheduled time. Being late could mean you lose your slot. You must bring your appointment confirmation, your passport, and all the specific documents required for your procedure. For a detailed breakdown of what forms to fill out and fees to pay for a NIE or TIE, see our guide to getting your NIE number.

Here's a general checklist of what you'll almost always need:

• Your appointment confirmation. The `justificante` with the confirmation number, either printed or on your phone.
• Your passport or national ID card. The original, valid document you used to book the appointment.
• The correct, completed application form. For example, the EX-15 for a first-time NIE or the EX-17 for the TIE. Don't sign it until you're in front of the official.
• Proof of payment of the fee (tasa). If your procedure has a fee, you must pay it at a bank beforehand and bring the stamped `modelo 790` receipt.
• All other supporting documents. This could be passport photos, your `empadronamiento` certificate, proof of health insurance, or an employment contract. Always bring the original document and at least one photocopy of everything.

If you have any general questions about the process, you can call the government's citizen helpline on 060.