IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? The Central Police Station in Madrid has resumed normal appointment procedures for fast-track residence permit applicants.

What does the change mean? Residence permit applicants may now book appointments and only need to appear at the station at the time of the appointment. However, those applying for an NIE number (assigned to foreign nationals who request it) in Madrid must continue to use the in-person ticketing system that was implemented last week.

  • Implementation time frame: Immediate.
  • Visas/permits affected: Residence cards.
  • Who is affected: Applicants processed through the fast track who are applying for residence applications in Madrid.
  • Business impact: Resident permit applicants will not need to appear in-person to queue for same-day service.

Background: The Central Police Station recently responded to high demand by suspending the appointment system and introducing an in-person queuing system for residence permits for fast-track applicants whereby only the first 30 who appeared each day would be given a ticket and be provided service. The workload issues leading to the change in procedures appear to have been alleviated, and the station has resumed the normal appointment system for residence card applications, but not for foreign nationals applying for an NIE number.

BAL Analysis: Though the appointment system has been restored, the Central Police Station may amend the rules at any time depending on workload, and applicants should be prepared in case such changes are again introduced.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in Spain. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.

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