What Is the Fingerprint Appointment (Fingerprint Appointment) for TIE?
The fingerprint appointment is a mandatory step if you’ve had your residence permit approved in Spain. It’s where the National Police take your fingerprints and photo so they can issue your official Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero (TIE) — your legal ID card in Spain.
Traditionally, you had to book this appointment manually online, which was often slow and stressful due to limited slots and high demand.
New Pilot: Automatic Fingerprint Appointment (What’s Changing)
Spain has launched a pilot program in L’Hospitalet de Llobregat (near Barcelona) where the Administration assigns your fingerprint appointment automatically once your residence application gets a favorable resolution.
Here’s what this means for you:
✔ No need to book the slot yourself.
The appointment is assigned by the system once your file is ready.
✔ You’ll receive it by SMS or email.
The Police send the date, time, and location to the contact details in your file.
✔ You usually get your appointment within ~15 days of having your resolution notified.
✔ Still a pilot — not nationwide yet.
Right now it’s only for specific cases in L’Hospitalet and only if your resolution explicitly mentions the automatic appointment.
How the Automatic Pilot Works (Step-by-Step)
Important: If your notice doesn’t arrive within ~15 days, check your messages and contact details. If it still doesn’t come, you may need to request a normal appointment through the official portal.
Who Is Included in the Pilot?
Right now, the pilot applies only to:
- Certain residence permit procedures already approved,
- Applicants whose resolution mentions automatic assignment,
- Cases in L’Hospitalet de Llobregat (province of Barcelona).
If your resolution doesn’t mention automatic assignment, you’ll still need to book manually via the official cita previa site.
What Happens if You Still Need to Book Manually?
Some applicants will still use the traditional online booking system where you:
- Go to the Administración Electrónica (public site),
- Select your province and police fingerprint appointment,
- Choose a date/time,
- Confirm your appointment manually.
This is still the default outside the pilot or if your resolution doesn’t include automatic assignment.
Documents You’ll Need for the Fingerprint Appointment
Most offices require you to bring:
✔ Valid passport (original + copy)
✔ Approved residence resolution
✔ Appointment notice (automatic or manual)
✔ Proof of fee payment (Modelo 790, Code 012)
✔ EX-17 form (completed)
✔ Any specific photos if requested
Always check the exact list in your notice — some offices ask for local variations.
Benefits of the Automatic Fingerprint Appointment Pilot
- Less stress booking your slot — no hunting for availability.
- Fewer delays after residence approval.
- Fewer intermediaries or unofficial services needed.
- Clear timeline to plan your next steps.
This pilot is a promising step toward modernizing Spain’s immigration services — especially for one of the most frustrating parts of getting your TIE.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is a fingerprint appointment and why do I need it?
The fingerprint appointment is where the National Police take your biometric data (fingerprints + photo) so they can produce your TIE card — your official foreigner ID in Spain. Without it, your TIE can’t be issued.
Does the automatic pilot apply everywhere in Spain?
Not yet. It currently runs only in L’Hospitalet de Llobregat for specific cases mentioned in the resolution. If your document doesn’t mention it, you’ll still book manually.
What if I don’t get my appointment notice?
Check your SMS, email, and spam folder. If nothing arrives after ~15 days from your approval, you may need to book normally on the official site.
En definitiva, la cita toma de huellas TIE entra en una nueva etapa con esta prueba piloto de asignación automática. Si tu expediente está incluido, puedes ahorrarte el estrés de buscar cita durante semanas. Eso sí, revisa siempre tu resolución y mantente atento a las notificaciones para no perder la fecha asignada. Y si no sabes si tu caso entra en el piloto o prefieres asegurarte de que todo está correcto antes de acudir, contar con asesoramiento especializado puede evitarte retrasos innecesarios en tu TIE.
Si necesitas asistencia personalizada, en Entre Trámites ofrecemos servicios de gestoría y asesoría en temas de extranjería. Puedes contactarnos a través de este formulario de contacto para que te llamemos, o si lo prefieres, puedes agendar una asesoría gratuita o escribirnos por WhatsApp.
