If you already have a favorable resolution and need an appointment for your fingerprinting in Madrid, here we explain what fee to pay, what documents to bring and how to avoid being denied the procedure on the same day.
Quick summary:
- The fee of 790 012 must be paid, with the NRC visible, before attending your fingerprint appointment.
- You need a full passport, a favorable resolution, and the completed EX-17 form.
- An error in the rate or a mismarked data can cancel your appointment and force you to wait for weeks.
What is the appointment for the fingerprint collection and when should you request it in Madrid?
The fingerprinting is the final step with the National Police that allows you to create your Foreigner Identity Card (TIE). This is not a new request, but the direct consequence of a resolution already granted.
In Madrid, you will have to request it in several common scenarios. Therefore, it is advisable to check which one applies to your situation before booking the assistance:
- You have received the favorable resolution from your foreign affairs file.
- You need to renew your TIE due to expiration, change of address, or loss.
- You have just entered Spain with a long-term visa and have one month to process it.
Community citizens, on the other hand, do not go through this process: they manage the Certificate of Registration of Citizen of the Union, a different procedure. If your situation falls under any of the three above-mentioned cases, you can already proceed with the necessary documentation.
For your stay in Madrid, without the appointment and subsequent fingerprinting, your favorable resolution is incomplete: there is no physical card that accredits your status to employers, banks, or authorities. Therefore, this last administrative step deserves the same attention as the initial file.
Documents you need in Madrid for the fingerprint appointment
Before booking your appointment, you must collect all the required documentation. If even a single document is missing, the National Police may deny you the procedure and you will have to request a new appointment, which in Madrid usually takes several weeks to be released.
| Document | Format | Where to get it |
| Complete passport | Original and photocopy of all sealed pages | Consulate of your country of origin |
| Positive resolution | Official letter of residence grant | Immigration Office |
| Form EX-17 | Completed and signed | Electronic headquarters of public administrations |
| Fee 790-012 | Paid, with a seal or NRC visible | Banking entity or telematics platform |
In addition, it is advisable to bring two passport-sized photographs, although some police stations no longer require them. Therefore, if in doubt, confirm the requirements in effect at your assigned police station before the day of the appointment.
It is also advisable to check the validity of each document. For example, a favorable resolution that is more than a year old may raise additional questions for the responsible official, although it remains legally valid for processing the card.
Code 790 rate 012: how to download and pay it without errors
The fingerprint fee, officially known as model 790 code 012, is the mandatory fee that funds the physical issuance of your TIE. Without this proof of payment, the officer will not be able to register your fingerprints.
How to download fee 790-012
You must generate the form exclusively from the Electronic headquarters of the National Police, Never from a third-party website. Select the exact procedure that corresponds to your resolution, as an incorrect code invalidates the full payment.
Indicative amounts in 2026
The amount of fee 790-012 is not a single value: the electronic office itself automatically generates the exact figure when you mark your application, and it is updated every year. As a guideline (not official and subject to confirmation at the time of generating your form), several procedures report approximate ranges:
| Type of application | Indicative amount 2026 |
| Community or Spanish-speaking family member | around 12 € |
| Initial temporary residence or renewal | around 16 € |
| Long-term residence | around 22 € |
Before attending your appointment, always confirm the exact figure that appears printed on your own receipt generated at sede.policia.gob.es, as this is the only amount valid for your specific procedure.
If you pay online via bank, always download the receipt with the Visible Full Reference Number (NRC). The simple transfer receipt, on the other hand, is not valid for the police scanner.
If you paid the wrong amount
When the amount paid does not match the transaction recorded, the solution is not to make a new payment without further ado. First, you must request the return of any undue income at the foreign office, and then generate a new Fee 790-012 with the correct amount before returning to your appointment.
National Police offices in Madrid with shorter waiting times
Madrid has several police stations equipped to take fingerprints, and the availability of appointments changes each week depending on the demand in each district.
- District police stations with an immigration office in peripheral areas tend to release vacancies faster than those in central areas.
- The municipalities in the metropolitan area (Alcorcón, Getafe, Alcalá de Henares) handle the same procedure and often have less congestion.
- Avoid focusing your booking attempts only on office hours; the system releases cancelled appointments at different times of the day.
Since availability fluctuates constantly, the most reliable thing to do is to check the official real-time dating system instead of following outdated comments on forums.
Also, keep in mind that the assigned police station depends on your registered address, not the one that seems more convenient to you. Trying to book an appointment at a different office from the one that belongs to your district often results in an appointment being rejected on the same day.
On the other hand, some residents choose to delegate the reservation to a trusted third party while they prepare the documentation. However, the final responsibility for the data entered remains with the file holder, so it is advisable to review each field before confirming.
How to request an appointment by avoiding system errors
The appointment system for foreign affairs and police procedures often crashes during peak demand hours. Therefore, it is advisable to apply some recommendations before attempting it.
- Write down all your details (case number, NIE, passport) in writing and by hand before entering the system.
- Try in unusual time slots, such as first thing in the morning or after midnight.
- Verify that the browser meets the technical requirements required by the electronic headquarters.
If you have any doubts about which document proves your status once you have obtained the card, it is advisable to review the differences between the NIE and the TIE, Because both concepts are often confused even after completing the process.
Understanding this distinction avoids new errors in subsequent procedures, such as renewal or the certificate of conformity.
If your goal is to bring your family to Spain once you have established your residence, our team can also advise you on your situation as a self-employed worker. Learn about the service self-employed residence from Cohen & Aguirre and answer your questions before your appointment.
Common mistakes that delay your fingerprint appointment
Errors when paying the fee
The most common mistake is paying the wrong rate code, mistaking 790 012 for 790 052, which corresponds to a different type of request. This confusion invalidates the payment and requires processing a refund of undue income.
Real case: J.P., a 29-year-old Colombian with newly granted non-resident status, paid the incorrect fee and missed his first appointment. After filling out the correct form and confirming the NRC, he was able to get a new appointment in less than ten days thanks to the follow-up of his case file.
Errors in the documentation
Other common errors include:
- Tear or manually correct the PDF of the rate once printed, which cancels the document.
- Pay at a bank in a province other than the one where the appointment is taking place.
- Attending without the signed EX-17 form or without a complete photocopy of the passport.
Similarly, some applicants forget that the signatures on the resolution and the EX-17 form must match the exact name of the passport, including compound surnames. Any discrepancy, however slight, can be enough for the official to reject the application.
If your case involves any additional complexity, such as an ongoing arraignment or reunification process, an error in this last step can delay your situation for months. For this reason, many residents prefer that a specialized office review their documentation before going to the police station.
If you want to avoid last-minute surprises, Schedule an online foreign advisory service with our team before your appointment.
Frequently asked questions about taking fingerprints in Madrid
Can I request a fingerprint appointment if I do not yet have a favorable resolution?
No. The system requires a resolved case number to be favorable; without it, the appointment will not be generated correctly.
What happens if I don't show up for my already booked fingerprint appointment?
You will lose your turn and will have to request a new one, which can add several weeks of additional waiting time.
Does the 790 012 rate expire if I don't use it immediately?
There is no strict legal deadline, but it is advisable to submit it as soon as possible: a change in the fiscal year or the tariff may require generating and paying a new receipt.
Can I pay fee 790-012 using another person's bank account?
Yes, as long as your details are listed on the form as the person responsible for the transaction, regardless of the original payment account.
Does the fingerprint appointment have any additional costs in addition to the fee?
No. The fingerprint collection itself is free; the only mandatory cost is the aforementioned 790 012 fee.
This way you can speed up your next appointment
Ultimately, getting your fingerprint appointment in Madrid without any problems depends on three factors: complete documentation, the correct fee, and patience with the booking system. Review each requirement before attempting the booking and avoid correcting documents by hand.
After your fingerprint appointment, you can follow when your card arrives with the latest TIE batch received at each police station in Madrid, updated every Monday.
If you prefer that an experienced team review your file before you go to the police station, at Cohen & Aguirre we can help you avoid costly mistakes.
Do you already have your favorable resolution or are you still waiting for the response from your case file?
Legal Team of Cohen and Aguirre. Specialists in Foreign Law and International Mobility with More than 10 years experience in resolving complex cases.
