If you’re a foreigner living in Spain, chances are you’ll need to book a “cita previa” — a prior appointment — for various government services like immigration, taxes, healthcare, or social security.
In this guide, we break down how to book a cita previa in Spain, when it’s required, and what to do if no appointments are available.
🧾 What Is a Cita Previa?
“Cita Previa” literally means “prior appointment.” In Spain, most official services — especially for foreigners — require one.
You’ll need it for:
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NIE or TIE applications and renewals
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Residency cards and fingerprinting
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Empadronamiento at your local town hall
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Social security registration (TGSS)
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Tax services (Agencia Tributaria)
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Public healthcare registration (SIP card)
🌐 Where to Book Appointments Online
🛂 Immigration & Extranjería (NIE/TIE)
Book through the national government portal:
🔗 https://sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es/icpplus/
Choose:
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Your province
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Procedure (e.g. “Toma de Huella” for fingerprints, “Asignación NIE”, “Autorización de residencia inicial”)
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Fill in your passport or NIE number
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Choose an available slot
💳 Social Security (Seguridad Social / TGSS)
Book for social security number, healthcare registration, work history certificates:
🔗 https://sede.seg-social.gob.es
Options:
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With or without digital certificate
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Can also request appointments via SMS or phone
🧾 Tax Office (Agencia Tributaria)
To file taxes, register as autónomo, or resolve tax issues:
🔗 https://www.agenciatributaria.gob.es
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Select “Cita previa” > Choose reason
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Log in with your NIE or digital certificate
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Select your office and date/time
🏠 Town Hall (Empadronamiento)
Each Ayuntamiento has its own system. Search:
“Cita previa empadronamiento + [your city]”
Example: Cita previa empadronamiento Madrid
Look for your city’s official site — you may need:
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NIE or passport
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Proof of address
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Digital certificate (for some regions)
📋 What Documents Do You Need?
✅ When you go to your cita previa, bring:
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Your appointment confirmation (PDF or screenshot)
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Valid passport or NIE/TIE card
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Required application forms (EX-15, EX-17, etc.)
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Photos, tax payment proofs (Modelo 790), etc., depending on your procedure
We recommend checking the specific checklist for your process before attending.
❌ No Appointments Available?
This is common — especially in big cities.
Tips:
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Check early mornings (8–9am) or late evenings (11pm–midnight)
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Use browser extensions or bots to auto-refresh pages (e.g. CitaBot)
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Consider booking in nearby towns with shorter queues
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Visit the office directly in emergencies — sometimes they accept walk-ins
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Hire an immigration lawyer to help secure a spot
🔁 Can You Reschedule?
Yes — most systems let you cancel or modify your appointment. Log in using the code you received in your confirmation email or SMS.
🧑💼 Need Help with Booking?
At Borderless Lawyers, we help clients:
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Book the correct appointment for your procedure
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Prepare documentation to avoid rejections
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Secure hard-to-find slots in oversaturated cities
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Represent you via Power of Attorney (Poder Notarial) if needed