NIE & TIE Appointments in Barcelona
Barcelona province has over 1 million foreign residents. Competition for appointments is fierce, but checking offices outside the city center helps.
Barcelona Province Offices
Multiple offices handle NIE/TIE appointments in Barcelona province:
Barcelona City
- Via Augusta. Central location, high demand
- Passeig de Sant Joan. Same situation
Greater Barcelona (Often Better Availability)
- Badalona. 20 min from city, often has slots
- L’Hospitalet de Llobregat. Close to BCN, less competition
- Santa Coloma de Gramenet. Frequently available
- Sabadell. Vallès Occidental
- Terrassa. Vallès Occidental
- Granollers. Vallès Oriental
- Mataró. Maresme coast
Your NIE or TIE from Badalona works exactly the same as one from Via Augusta. Don’t limit yourself to city center offices.
Find Your Nearest Office
Official police office locator for Barcelona province:
Policía Nacional Office Locator →
Select “Barcelona” as province to see all available offices.
How to Book Your Appointment
- Go to Cita Previa Extranjería (search Google for “cita previa extranjería”) (the site may be slow or temporarily unavailable. Keep trying)
- Select province: Barcelona
- Click “Aceptar”
- Choose your procedure:
- NIE: “Policía. Certificados y Asignación de NIE”
- TIE: “Policía. Toma de huellas (expedición de tarjeta)”
- Enter passport number and personal info
- Select office (check ALL offices, not just Barcelona city)
- Pick available date and confirm
- Print your confirmation
Pro tip: When Barcelona city shows “no disponible,” check Badalona, L’Hospitalet, and Santa Coloma. They’re all easy to reach by metro or bus.
No Appointments Available?
Barcelona slots disappear fast. What helps:
- Check at 8:00-9:00 AM. New slots often appear early morning
- Monday and Tuesday. More releases than later in the week
- Check ALL offices. Don’t just try Via Augusta
- Try neighboring provinces. Girona, Tarragona, Lleida have less demand
- Use Spanish VPN. Site sometimes loads better from Spanish IP
- Different browsers. Chrome and Firefox behave differently
Full troubleshooting: What to do when no appointments are available
Empadronamiento in Barcelona
Most immigration appointments require proof of address. In Barcelona:
Book padrón appointment:
For other municipalities in the province, search “[municipality name] empadronamiento cita previa”.
Documents needed:
- Passport
- Rental contract or property deed
- If renting a room: landlord authorization + their ID
Common Situations in Barcelona
Digital Nomads: Barcelona is a top DNV destination. Apply through UGE, then book TIE appointment once approved. Digital Nomad Visa →
Students: UB, UPC, UPF students need TIE within 30 days of arrival. Student Visa →
EU Citizens: After 3 months, register for Certificado de Registro. EU Registration →
Startups: Entrepreneur visa holders use fast-track UGE processing. Entrepreneur Visa →
What to Bring
For NIE (EX-15)
- ☐ Passport original + photocopy (data page + entry stamp)
- ☐ EX-15 form filled out
- ☐ Justification (job contract, property deed, enrollment letter)
- ☐ Modelo 790 code 012 paid (~€12)
- ☐ Cita previa confirmation (printed)
For TIE (EX-17)
- ☐ Passport original + photocopy
- ☐ EX-17 form filled out
- ☐ Approval resolution (resolución favorable)
- ☐ Photo 32x26mm, white background
- ☐ Modelo 790 code 012 paid (~€16-20)
- ☐ Empadronamiento certificate
- ☐ Cita previa confirmation (printed)
Barcelona Appointment FAQ
Which Barcelona office is easiest to book?
Offices outside Barcelona city (Badalona, L’Hospitalet, Santa Coloma, Granollers) typically have better availability. Check all of them when the central offices show “no disponible.”
Can I book an appointment in Girona or Tarragona instead?
Yes. If Barcelona province has no availability, you can book in any Spanish province. The NIE/TIE is valid nationwide. Girona and Tarragona often have shorter waits.
Do I need empadronamiento in Barcelona for a TIE appointment?
Usually yes. Most TIE appointments require proof of your Barcelona address. Get your padrón before booking the TIE appointment.
How long does the appointment take?
The appointment itself is 10-20 minutes. Waiting time varies. Via Augusta can have long queues. Arrive 15-20 minutes early with documents organized.
What language is spoken at Barcelona appointments?
Staff speak Spanish and Catalan. English is limited. Bring someone who speaks Spanish if needed, though the process is mostly document review.
Need Help with Your Barcelona Appointment?
Our Barcelona office helps with appointment strategy, document prep, and full immigration representation.