Auxiliares de Conversacion Guide – Madrid 2019 (Part II): TIE Application and Empadronamiento

Here it is – the continuation of last week’s post about getting settled in Madrid as an auxiliar de conversación for the upcoming school year.

(Side note: I left for Spain one year ago tomorrow! That’s loco.) But anyway, let’s keep rolling with the need-to-knows.

All right, once the apartment search is done, you’ll need to start working on establishing your legal status in Spain. Disclaimer: this is a total pain in the ass, and it will continue to be one for the entire duration of your time in Madrid. But it needs to be done.

Since we all come over on student visas that are only good until the end of December, you need to apply for your Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero – also known as your TIE or “tee-ay” if you’re saying it to a Spanish person. Technically, you’re supposed to start the application process within 30 days of your arrival in Spain, but I’ve also heard that as long as you make your appointment within 30 days, you’re good.

TIE Appointment

1. Make your appointment here: https://sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es/icpplustiem/citar. (Note: I can’t get this link to work any more, if anyone has an updated link please let me know!)

2. Then, fill out this screen with this information (if you are working in another province, choose that option instead of Madrid). Click “Aceptar” to move forward; “Volver” to go back.

3. On the next screen, it tells you all the paperwork you need to bring to your appointment. We’ll talk about that later. Click “Aceptar.”

4. Now, on this screen, fill in your details. You can choose to use your NIE number (listed on your Spanish Visa, usually starting with an X, Y, or Z) or your passport number – whatever you prefer. Nombre and apellidos – your first and last name. País is your country. “United States” in Spanish is Estados Unidos, or EEUU. On the next line, “Fecha de Caducidad,” leave it blank. Last year, there was a glitch where no appointments were available if you filled in this screen. Then check the box to prove you’re not a robot – assuming you’re not one. Aceptar.

5. Next, it’s time to look for an appointment. On the following screen, select “Solicitar Cita.” The other buttons are for you to (in order) View Confirmed Appointments, Cancel Appointment, or Exit. So if you ever need to cancel an appointment, for example, you can come back into the module the exact same way.

6. On the next screen, you just choose where you want to have your appointment. Most people go to a location in central Madrid called “Aluche” on Avenida de los Poblados, but I’ve heard a lot of horror stories about them so I haven’t been. It’s also where they (allegedly) detain immigrants, so when you’re nervous about an appointment establishing legal status, I don’t know if that’s the best place to go! I’ve been to a few different Extranjerías – foreigners offices – for various things throughout the year, and I’ve found them all to be nice. Rivas-Vaciamadrid, Torrejón de Ardoz, and Pozuelo de Alarcón. Google the locations and pick somewhere that’s convenient for you to go, with the appointment hours you need. After choosing a location, click “Siguiente.”

7. Then, you just have to enter your phone number and email. You can enter your American phone number if you want; they shouldn’t really use it for anything. The email part is what’s most helpful, because they’ll send you a confirmation (which you should print and bring to your appointment). Click “Siguiente.”

8. Now, you get to finally choose your appointment. Surprise… you only get three options! You chose your location, and this screen will show you the next 3 available appointments. That’s the only choice you get. If none of these appointments work for you, click “Cancelar,” and it will take you back to the screen in Step 5 above where you can choose a different location to see other available appointments. But when you find an appointment that works for you, select the radio button and click “Siguiente.”

9. From there, you should just keep clicking “Confirmar,” because it’s just confirming all your details are correct. When it spits out your confirmation number, keep that on hand just in case you need to cancel. And you should get that email confirming all your details. Like I said, make sure to print it! For any appointment you have in Spain, you want to head into it as prepared as possible.

Gathering paperwork

Okay, only part of your work is done. Remember in Step 3 where we glossed over all the necessary paperwork? Time to re-address that. Here’s everything you’ll need:

• Proof of appointment – that’s the email confirmation I told you to print!
• EX-17 Form – You should bring TWO (2) COPIES of this. In general, just bring a minimum of 2 copies of everything to your appointments in Spain.
• Passport (original) and copies of every page. I believe they’re specifically looking for the page with your visa and your entry stamp into Spain, but having copies of every page never hurts. Maybe two copies of these, as well!
• 2 recent, passport-sized photos. This is what’s going on your card. You can get these pictures done for about €5 in many popular metro stations, like Sol and Diego de Leon. I recommend getting this photo done when you look nice – not all sweaty like I was. But that’s personal preference, of course.
• Empadronamiento form. This is basically proof that you’re registered to live in your apartment. Side note: I NEVER GOT THIS. I was kinda lazy and tired of running around Madrid in the September heat to track down more paperwork. I do realize there are important reasons you might want to have this, besides getting the TIE. But I wasn’t dealing with my landlord directly; my contract is basically with my roommates. Long story short, I never got it. Where I went for my TIE appointment did NOT ask for the empadronamiento, so I was lucky since I didn’t have it. Attempt this at your own risk! Keep reading to find out how to apply for the Certificado de Empadronamiento, or jump ahead.
• Receipt of tax payment – Tasa 790-Modelo 012. Click here to access the tax form. Fill out all your information – NIE number, name, and address. Then, scroll to the section under “Autoliquidación” and select the radio button next to “TIE que documenta la primera concesión de la autorización de residencia temporal, de estancia o para trabajadores transfronterizos.” At the bottom, the price of the tax will be auto-generated (€15.76 as of September 2019) and select the button that says “en efectivo” to pay in cash. Leave everything else blank. Finally, enter the CAPTCHA characters and click “Descargar impreso rellenado” to download the completed form. Print the form and take it to the nearest bank before 10:30am on a weekday. (Most banks only allow tax payment for non-members before that time.) They will give you a stamped receipt of payment, and that’s what you need for the appointment.
• Carta de nombramiento from your school. This paper is so important for basically everything you do in Spain. It proves that you have a job, an income, and health insurance. Bring at least two copies of this to the appointment.

As long as you have everything for your appointment, there’s no reason to be stressed. Being confident you have everything prepared helps when you’re nervous or not confident in your Spanish. When you’re there, they’ll take your fingerprints and send you on your way with a confirmation of your application. On mine, they also hand-scribbled a date after which I could return to pick it up. I applied at the end of September last year, and I was able to pick up my card after the beginning of November.

Now – applying for the Empadronamiento.

Empadronamiento Application

1. Make your appointment.

2. On the first screen, select “Pedir Cita Previa.”

3. On the following screen, fill out the first two blanks in this way. In the “Oficina” section, choose the one that’s in your neighborhood or closest to you. If you’re not sure, search your address on Google Maps. Then, while focused on that section, do a new search for “Oficina de Atención a la Ciudadena.” Finally, choose a date and a time for your appointment. Once you click on a time, it takes you to the next screen.

4. Fill out your personal information: first and last name, document type and number (NIE or passport), and a phone and email. In the phone section, it wants a 9-digit Spanish phone number. You can probably just use a friend or roommate’s (or make one up); I don’t think anyone’s going to actually call you. Then click “Continuar.”

5. The next screen is just a confirmation. Make sure everything is correct, and then click “Crear cita” to make your appointment.

6. Finally, your appointment has been confirmed. You’ll get a confirmation number, and they should email you as well. Print this screen and bring it to your appointment!!

Gathering paperwork

Luckily, this process is less intensive than applying for a TIE. Here’s what you’ll need to bring to the appointment:

• Application form. Click here to download. And of course, it’s never a bad idea to have a copy! They may have them available at the office as well, but it’s always easier to come prepared.
• Your passport. And a photocopy (of course).
• Proof of address. Here’s where things can get a little hazy. If you’re renting directly from the landlord, you can bring a copy of your lease or a recent utility bill (if you’ve paid one yet). If you’re renting a room, but your name isn’t on the lease – like in my case – you’ll need to talk to your roommates. If they already have their empadronamiento, they should sign your application form to vouch that you’re living at the address. Then, for your appointment, you’ll also need to bring a copy of THEIR identification with you.

You should receive a form the same day, and this is what you can use for your TIE appointment – and to access other social services like public health care!

 

Wow – I know that got long, but I hope it was helpful! Here’s the link to part three.

Leave me a comment below, and thanks for reading!

-Cathy

Originally Published on September 12, 2019.