Cita previa: how to book appointments with Spanish public offices

Almost every visit to a Spanish public office starts with a cita previa, a booked appointment. Whether you need your fingerprints taken for a TIE, a chat with the tax office or a GP visit, turning up without one usually means being sent home. The systems are different for each administration, which confuses many newcomers. This guide explains where to book the most common appointments, what to do when there are no slots, and how to avoid paying for something that should be free.

How cita previa works

Each administration runs its own booking system: the national government, the Seguridad Social, the tax agency, the DGT, your regional health service and your town hall all have separate websites, apps or phone lines. Some general rules apply to almost all of them:

• Book in the name on your documents: use your passport or NIE exactly as it appears, because offices check it at the door.
• Keep the confirmation: you get a reference number (justificante) by email or on screen. Save it as a PDF or screenshot, as you may need it to change or cancel the booking.
• Booking is free: official appointment systems do not charge a fee. A gestor or lawyer may charge for their time, but the appointment itself costs nothing.
• Check if you need to go at all: many procedures can be done online with a digital certificate or Cl@ve. See our guide to the digital certificate and Cl@ve.

Extranjería and police: NIE, TIE and fingerprints

Appointments for foreigners’ procedures are booked on the government’s ICP portal (sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es, section “Cita previa – Extranjería”). The same portal covers the Oficina de Extranjería and the Policía Nacional.

• Step 1: choose your province (for example Málaga).
• Step 2: choose the procedure (trámite), such as NIE assignment, “toma de huellas” (fingerprints for the TIE) or the EU registration certificate.
• Step 3: enter your passport or NIE number, name, nationality and contact details.
• Step 4: pick an office and a time, then save the confirmation.

If you get the message “No hay citas disponibles”, there are no free slots at that moment. New slots are released at irregular times, so try again at different times of day and on different days, and consider other offices in the province if the portal offers them. Our guide on how to get your NIE lists the documents to bring.

Seguridad Social and the tax agency

• Seguridad Social (INSS): book appointments for pensions and benefits on the Sede Electrónica (sede.seg-social.gob.es) under “Cita previa para pensiones y otras prestaciones”. You do not need a digital certificate to book. Many requests, such as your work history report (vida laboral), can be done online without an appointment on Import@ss.
• Agencia Tributaria: visits to tax offices also need an appointment, except for handing in documents at the registry. Book through the “Asistencia y cita” section of the Sede Electrónica, the official AEAT app, or by phone on 91 290 13 40 or 901 200 351 (Monday to Friday, 9:00–19:00, shorter hours in August).

DGT: driving licences and vehicles

For the Jefatura Provincial de Tráfico, book on the DGT’s Sede Electrónica (sede.dgt.gob.es), in the miDGT app or by calling 060. Before you book, check the DGT’s list of procedures: many, including some vehicle transfers, duplicates and paying fines, can now be done online without visiting an office.

Health centre appointments in Andalucía

If you are registered with the public health service in Andalucía (SAS), you can book with your family doctor or paediatrician in several ways:

• Online: through ClicSalud+, the SAS online service.
• App: the Salud Andalucía app, where you can also carry a virtual health card.
• Phone: Salud Responde on 955 54 50 60, open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

Other regions have their own systems, so if you live outside Andalucía, check your regional health service website.

Town hall, SEPE and other offices

• Ayuntamiento: each town hall has its own system for the padrón, local taxes and other procedures. Look for “cita previa” on your town hall’s website. Our guide to the padrón explains what to bring.
• SEPE (employment service): appointments for unemployment benefit are booked on the SEPE website. In Andalucía, job-seeker registration is handled by the regional employment service, the SAE.
• Not sure where to start? The general government information line 060 can point you to the right office.

Avoiding appointment scams and resellers

Because extranjería slots are scarce in some provinces, a black market has grown up around them. In 2023 the Policía Nacional broke up a network that used bots to grab appointments and resell them. Protect yourself:

• Book only on official government websites, which end in .gob.es, or through a registered professional you trust.
• Do not pay strangers on social media or messaging apps who promise a guaranteed appointment.
• Never share your Cl@ve PIN, digital certificate password or bank codes to get an appointment.
• Be wary of phone numbers found in search ads. Use the numbers shown on the official websites.

On the day of your appointment

• Arrive early. Many offices will not let you in after your time slot has passed.
• Bring originals and photocopies of every document, plus your appointment confirmation.
• Pay any required fee (tasa) in advance if the procedure asks for it, and bring the stamped receipt.
• If you cannot attend, cancel the booking so the slot goes to someone else.

FAQ: cita previa in Spain

Do I have to pay for a cita previa?

No. Booking through official systems is free. You may pay a fee for the procedure itself, or for a gestor’s time if you use one, but never for the appointment.

What can I do if there are never any extranjería appointments?

Keep trying at different times, check other offices in your province, and ask whether your procedure can be filed online. A lawyer or gestor can also file some applications electronically on your behalf.

Can someone else book an appointment for me?

Yes, a friend or professional can fill in the form, but they must use your details. For some procedures only you or an authorised representative can attend.

How do I cancel or change an appointment?

Use the same website or app where you booked and enter your reference number. Most systems have a “consultar o anular cita” option.

Useful links

• Cita previa extranjería and police – Sede Electrónica de Administraciones Públicas
• Assistance and appointment – Agencia Tributaria
• Sede Electrónica – Seguridad Social
• Salud Responde – Junta de Andalucía

Disclaimer: This article is general information, not legal or financial advice. Rules and prices change, so check with the official source before you decide.