Fingerprinting Appointment — TIE Card Application

Fingerprinting (toma de huellas) is a mandatory step in obtaining your TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) card. This appointment must be completed in person and is required for all residence permit holders in Spain. Our service helps you find available fingerprinting appointments quickly.

What is the Fingerprinting Process?

The fingerprinting appointment (cita previa de toma de huellas) is when the Spanish authorities collect your biometric data—fingerprints and a photograph—for your physical TIE card. This process is mandatory for all foreigners who have been granted a residence authorization in Spain.

During the appointment, which typically lasts 15-20 minutes, immigration officers will scan your fingerprints and take your photo. This data will be embedded in your TIE card, making it a secure, biometric identification document.

Who Needs a Fingerprinting Appointment?

• Anyone who has received approval for their first residence permit in Spain
• Residence permit holders whose card has expired and needs renewal
• Foreigners who have changed their residence status (e.g., from student to worker)
• Long-term EU residents applying for their TIE in Spain

Required Documents for Fingerprinting

Bring the following documents to your fingerprinting appointment:

• Valid passport (original)
• Receipt of your residence authorization application (resguardo de solicitud)
• Proof of payment for Modelo 790 Código 012 fee
• Appointment confirmation (justificante de cita previa)

The Fingerprinting Procedure

1. Receive residence approval: After your residence application is approved, you'll be notified that you need to attend a fingerprinting appointment.
2. Book your appointment: Obtain a cita previa for fingerprinting. This is where our service helps—finding available slots can be extremely difficult.
3. Pay the fee: Complete payment of the TIE card fee using Modelo 790 Código 012 (currently around €17).
4. Attend your appointment: Arrive on time with all required documents. The biometric data collection process is quick and straightforward.
5. Wait for your TIE card: Your TIE card will be produced in 30-45 days. You'll receive an SMS notification when it's ready for collection.

How CitaRapida Helps You

Fingerprinting appointments are notoriously difficult to secure, particularly in high-demand areas. Many people spend weeks refreshing the government website multiple times per day, only to find no available appointments.

Our Chrome extension searches for appointments directly from your browser, no proxies or blocks. Set it up once and let it search for you. From €19/week, save yourself the stress of manual searching.