Fingerprints (TIE) appointment in Spain — how to get one in 7-14 days
The fingerprints appointment (toma de huellas, procedure 4010) is the bottleneck of the Spanish immigration process. Here's how it works, what you need, and how to actually get one.
What is the fingerprints appointment?
The fingerprints appointment (cita previa para toma de huellas, procedure code 4010 in ICPPlus) is the in-person step where the Spanish police office (CNP) takes your fingerprints and biometric photo to issue your TIE — Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero, the physical card that proves your legal residence in Spain.
It's the most demanded immigration procedure in Spain. Without this appointment, you cannot get the TIE card, and without the TIE you have no physical document proving your residency status.
Who needs a fingerprints appointment?
- Non-EU foreigners who received a favorable residence resolution (initial, renewal or modification).
- Anyone who entered Spain on a long-term visa and must register the TIE within 30 days.
- Existing TIE holders who need to renew due to expiration, change of address, or loss.
- Approved arraigo applications (social, labor, family, training, second chance).
- Approved asylum / international protection cases.
EU citizens do NOT need this — they file for the EU citizen registration certificate instead.
Why is it so hard to get one?
Three reasons combined:
- Demand massively exceeds supply. Madrid alone has ~5,000 monthly requests for offices that release slots in batches of 50-200.
- Slots are released at random times. 3 AM on a Sunday, 4 PM on a Tuesday — no pattern. Refreshing manually for hours rarely catches anything.
- A slot lives 60-120 seconds before it's taken. Whoever sees it first books it.
Manual refreshing is exhausting and largely ineffective. Many people refresh for weeks before finding anything.
Documents you'll need on the day
- Original passport + photocopy of all stamped pages.
- Favorable residence resolution (the letter granting your residence).
- Form EX-17 — completed and signed (free download from sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es).
- Proof of payment of fee 790 code 012 (~€16.32 in 2026).
- 3 recent passport-size photos, white background.
- Recent empadronamiento certificate (less than 3 months old).
- Printed appointment confirmation.
How HayCita helps
We monitor every Spanish immigration office 24/7. When a slot opens, we send you an instant email + Telegram + SMS (in VIP). Most customers in saturated provinces (Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia) get their first alert within 5-9 days. €14.99 one-time. 100% refund if no slot in 14 days.
Activate alert · €14.99 VIP with SMS · €19.99
Province-by-province average waits (April 2026)
- Madrid — 14-30 days manually, 5-9 with HayCita
- Barcelona — 10-21 days
- Valencia — 7-14 days
- Alicante — 5-12 days
- Málaga — 8-15 days
FAQ
Is the fingerprints appointment free?
The appointment itself is free. You pay the fee 790 code 012 (~€16.32) at any bank before going.
Where do I book it?
On the official Spanish government site: sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es/icpplus/. Choose your province and procedure 4010 (Toma de huellas).
What if I miss my appointment?
You'll have to book again — and in saturated provinces that can mean 2-4 more weeks of waiting. Arrive 15 minutes early with all documents ready.
Can I do it in a different province?
No. Under article 209.11 of Royal Decree 1155/2024 — in force since 20 May 2025 — the TIE is issued at the police station where your file was processed. The booking site will let you pick another province, because there is no technical check, but the check happens at the counter with your resolution and your padrón in front of them. You would lose the trip and the slot.
What you can do is book at any station within your own province — you are not tied to the one nearest your home. We alert you about whichever one opens first.