You finally did it. Your Spanish residency has been approved. After weeks or even months of waiting, you have reached a major milestone. And then comes the next question:

What Happens Now?

The next step is obtaining your TIE, Spain’s physical residency card. To do that, you need to attend an appointment known as the toma de huellas, where your fingerprints and photo are taken.

If you are unsure where to start, this guide walks you through the entire process in Madrid, from booking the appointment to knowing exactly what to bring. Clear, practical, and without unnecessary stress.

What Is the TIE and Why You Need It

The TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) is your Spanish residency card. It proves that you are legally living in Spain and includes your NIE number, photograph, and fingerprints.

You can only apply for it once your residence permit has been officially approved. The fingerprint appointment is the administrative step that allows the police to issue the card.

What You Need Before Booking the Appointment

Before attempting to book your fingerprint appointment, make sure you have the following:

• A favourable resolution confirming your residence approval
• Your original passport and a photocopy
• A completed EX-17 form
• Proof of payment for Tasa 790 Código 012
• One recent passport sized photo

If any of these documents are missing or incorrect, the appointment may be rejected. This is a common reason people are turned away.

How to Book Your Fingerprint Appointment in Madrid

Appointments are booked through the official government system. Follow these steps carefully:

1. Go to the official appointment website
2. Select Madrid as your province
3. Choose the procedure: Policía – Toma de Huellas (Expedición de Tarjeta)
4. Enter your personal details
5. Select an available date and time

Once confirmed, download and print the appointment confirmation.

When Are Appointments Usually Released

In Madrid, fingerprint appointments are released in limited batches and disappear very quickly. Many people spend days refreshing the system without finding a single available slot.

New appointments are most often released on weekdays, typically:

• Around midday
• Again in the evening

Logging in a few minutes before these times and refreshing regularly can help, but there are no guarantees.

This is one of the areas where I help most. I actively monitor appointment availability and book fingerprint appointments for my clients as soon as slots open, so they do not have to spend hours refreshing the system or risk missing their window.

What to Bring to the Appointment

All documents should be printed. Digital copies are often not accepted.

Bring the following:

• Passport (original and copy)
• Completed EX-17 form
• Proof of payment for Tasa 790 Código 012
• One recent passport photo
• Printed appointment confirmation
• Copy of your residency approval

Organising everything in advance makes the appointment much smoother.

Where the Appointment Takes Place

• Your fingerprint appointment will take place at a designated police station in Madrid. The exact address will appear on your appointment confirmation.
• Double check the location in advance and plan to arrive early.

What Happens After the Appointment

• After your fingerprints are taken, you will receive a resguardo, a paper receipt confirming that the process is complete.
• Your TIE card is usually ready within 30 to 45 days. You will then need to book a separate appointment to collect the card in person.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

These are some of the most frequent issues that cause delays:

• Booking the wrong appointment type
• Errors on the EX-17 form
• Forgetting original documents
• Not printing the proof of payment
• Missing the appointment or arriving late

When appointments are limited, any of these mistakes can mean starting the process again.

Need Help with Your TIE in Madrid

We help expats and freelancers manage Spanish paperwork, including the full TIE process.

We can help you by:

• Booking and monitoring fingerprint appointments
• Completing the EX-17 and tax forms correctly
• Reviewing your documents before the appointment
• Explaining what to expect step by step
• Accompanying you if language is a concern

Getting your TIE in Madrid does not have to be stressful. With the right preparation, it is a straightforward administrative step. You have already done the hard part. This is simply the final stage of making your residency official.

For help booking a TIE fingerprint appointment in Madrid or completing the required forms, reach out here or at vainmadrid@gmail.com.