Your Step by Step Guide to Apply for a NIE or TIE in Madrid 2024

The NIE card and the TIE card are the most common legal documents that are required by both EU citizens (NIE Spain) and Non-EU citizens (TIE Spain) who plan to move to Spain. In combination with other documents like the Empadronamiento and the Social Security Number, the NIE card and the TIE card are important documents that verify your legal status in Spain and should be applied for very early into your time here.

To make sure you have a clear understanding of exactly which documents you need to apply for, make sure to check out our Spain Immigration Guide. If you have read the guide already and still have some doubts as to which documents you need, please fill out our free Immigration Support Form so we can point you in the right direction.

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Although the NIE card and the TIE card are required for almost all foreigners moving to Spain, the application process is notoriously painful. With a lack of coherent information online, language barriers and long waiting times. That’s why we’ve put together this highly detailed step-by-step guide to help European Union citizens apply for their NIE card and to help Non-European citizens apply for their TIE card.

Get your NIE/TIE in Madrid and other Spanish cities fast and easy with MTS Relocation & Consulting Services! A reliable and experienced company that specializes in NIE card and TIE card applications! They are offering up to 50% off for international students, so make sure to check out their services to get your free advice & a free quote!

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Important: The Citylife team has collected the information below via intense research in collaboration with MTS Relocation & Consulting Services and Proyecto Océano, two very known legal & relocation companies in Spain. Please keep in mind that we are not directly related to any legal or government departments. We have tried to break down the most common situations and requirements for internationals, students and expats, coming to live in Spain. We cannot speak for everyone’s specific case nor can we speak on the specifics of every autonomous region in Spain. Please remember to use this article as a compliment to your own research on official government sites.

1. NIE/TIE Madrid – What is it & Which one do you Need to Apply For?

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The NIE number (Número de Identidad de Extranjero) is an identity number that everyone who plans to live in Spain for longer than 3 months is required to apply for. It consists of 1 letter at the beginning, 7 numbers and 1 letter at the end (X0000000-R). It will act as your foreigner’s ID number and will be your key to life in Spain as it will be used when applying for nearly anything. For example, you need a NIE number in Spain for the following:

As we mentioned above, everyone – meaning both EU and Non-EU citizens – planning on staying in Spain longer than 3 months is required, by law, to apply for a NIE number. For EU citizens, the NIE number will be printed on the NIE card and this card can be applied for within the first 3 months of your stay in Spain. For Non-EU citizens who plan to stay in Spain for longer than 6 months, the NIE number will be printed on the TIE card and this card must be applied for within the first 30 days of your stay. For Non-EU citizens who plan to stay in Spain for 6 months or less the NIE number should be printed on the visa within your passport and will be done as a part of your visa application*.

*Some consulates have not adapted to the new system of printing the NIE number on applicant’s visas. If you are planning to stay in Spain for 6 months or less and your visa does not have a NIE number printed on it, please fill out our free Spain Immigration Form so we can point you in the right direction.

In the next paragraph we will explain in detail what the NIE card and TIE card are, how to qualify and how to apply for them. If you do not need to know the full explanation of each, feel free to skip ahead to the step-by-step guides for applying to each using the buttons below. The guides will help you understand if you really need to apply for a NIE or TIE in Spain as well as give detailed instructions on how to get your NIE or TIE appointment online, how to fill out the correct documents and how to submit them. Both guides focus on the NIE/TIE application process in Madrid, however they are very similar all over Spain.

1.1 NIE Spain – What is a NIE Card (EU Citizens)?

The NIE card is officially known as the “Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la UE“. But to keep it simple, people often refer to it as just the NIE. It is a green paper card with one laminated side that has the applicant’s details printed on it. As its official name suggests, this is the document that citizens of the European Union (or equivalent) will apply for when moving to Madrid to work or study for longer than 3 months. You can only apply for the NIE Card from Spain, however you can start looking for appointments dates and collecting the required documents from home.

There is a second type of NIE that often gets confused for the “Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la UE”. It is simply known as the “Asignación de NIE” and it is applied for with the EX-15 form. Keep in mind this NIE is NOT the one you need if you are moving to Spain to study or work. It does not give any kind of residency status. Read more about the uses of the “Asignación de NIE” in our FAQ section.

1.2 TIE Spain – What is a TIE card (Non-EU Citizens)?

The TIE card is officially known as the “Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero“, but its name is often shortened to TIE. It is a plastic card that has the applicant’s details as well as their photo, their fingerprint and the expiration date printed on it. This is the document that all Non-Europeans who are staying in Spain for more than 6 months will need to apply for. The card classification will differ depending on the type of visa the applicant applies with – the most common being the student TIE. You can only apply for the TIE Card from Spain, however you can start looking for appointments dates and collecting the required documents from home.

1.3 Cita Previa – Applying for a NIE/TIE in Spain

When applying for either a NIE card or a TIE card in Spain you first need to make what is called a “cita previa” (appointment online). The cita previa is simply an appointment made at the Spain Immigration offices in the Spanish city that you’re living in and it has to be done within a certain time of your arrival (e.g. for the TIE card you have to apply within the first 30 days). You can make these appointments by visiting the official Spain administration website and selecting your province as well as the legal document you need to apply for.

When making your cita previa, the correct names for each appointment look like this:

For the NIE card: Policia-Certificados de Registros de Ciudadano de la U.E

For the TIE card: Policía – Toma de Huellas (Expedición de Tarjeta) y Renovación de Tarjeta de Larga Duración

Once you have chosen your province and the correct legal document to apply for, you will be required to complete some personal information. Afterwards, you need to select an appointment time slot. There will be a time limit, so make sure you choose quickly. You’ll have to confirm your selection by entering a code and checking some boxes. Once confirmed you’ll be sent your appointment confirmation.

Seems pretty easy right? Well, the truth is that applying for a NIE card or TIE card in Spain tends to be very stressful and time consuming for various reasons that are completely unavoidable. From trying to find an appointment date and filling out the complicated application forms correctly. To collecting all the right documents that you need, some of which require their own appointments and application forms.

If you want to avoid these issues completely then we recommend reaching out to MTS Relocation & Consulting Services! Their experienced team can help you apply for your NIE card or your TIE card quickly and successfully with minimal hassle. All you have to do is fill out their consultation form today and receive a free quote and a free consultation to go over your situation.

For a step-by-step guide on making an appointment now, skip ahead to our chapter on applying for the NIE or applying for the TIE.

2. How to Apply for a NIE in Madrid as an EU Citizen

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Our comprehensive “Step-by-step NIE Spain application guide” below will outline everything, from what you need to submit, making an appointment and how to fill out the forms. Make sure you read it carefully so you don’t miss any important details!

2.2 “Cita Previa” NIE Madrid – How to make your NIE Appointment

To get started you need to make your appointment online, also known as “cita previa”. To make the appointment head over to the official website here. You will need to select the province that you will reside in. The process is more or less the same overall, however in this article we will be covering the steps for making a cita previa for a NIE in Madrid. Once you’ve selected Madrid as your province, continue with the following steps:

1. In the next drop-down labelled Trámites Cuerpo Nacional de Policía select “Policía-Certificados de Registros de Ciudadano de la U.E.“. Then click “aceptar” to continue.

In April 2021 the government added the option to choose an office already on the first page. However, it is not mandatory and you can leave it blank. If you know which office you’d like to go to, you can select it at this stage. Just keep in mind this might limit your options depending on availability for your specific “appointment type” at that one office.

2. The page will refresh to an overview of what documents you need for the NIE in Madrid. You can review it but we also have it listed below in English in chapter “What Documents you Need to Submit at your NIE Appointment“. Click “entrar” to continue.
3. Here you need to fill in your personal details. It’s best to use your passport, but if you only have your National ID you can still select “PASAPORTE”” and enter those details as well. Please ensure the information is entered exactly how it is shown on your document. Click “aceptar” to continue.

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4. The page will reload and give you 4 options. Click “solicitar cita”.
5. The next page you will have a drop down to select what offices to have your appointment. The most popular office in Madrid is located at Padre Piquer. However we recommend just choosing what is there because appointments can be very hard to find and there is times where it is almost impossible. Once chosen, click “siguiente”.
6. The next page will ask for your contact info. Please choose a relevant Spanish phone number that you have on hand as they will be sending an important code that you will need to enter to continue. Once done, click “siguiente”.

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7. If there are appointment slots available, the page will give you some options for the next appointment “period”, which is usually 1-2 weeks out. Select your preferred date and time. The page will automatically reload. If there are no appointments available, the page will tell you “En este momento no hay citas disponibles. En breve, la oficina pondrá a su disposición nuevas citas”. You will need to try again later to look for your cita previa. If you need your NIE urgently, you can contact MTS. They will help you to get the cita previa as quick as possible.

8. Review your personal data and the details of the appointment to make sure all is correct. A security code will be sent to the phone number you indicated earlier – type the number in the box at the bottom of the page. Also make sure to select both check boxes before clicking “confirmar”.
9. Once your appointment is confirmed you will see your appointment code at the top of the page. You will receive this confirmation via email, however, we recommend saving and printing this page too.

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2.3 How to Correctly Fill out the EX-18 Form (NIE Madrid Application Form)

To apply for the NIE in Spain you need to complete the EX-18 form. It’s quite straight forward but we have translated it for you and explained how to fill each section below.

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2.4 How to Fill out and Pay the Tax Form 790 (Code 012) for the NIE Card

Another step you need to complete before going to your NIE appointment is to pay the corresponding tax fee of 12,00 Euros (December 2023). Follow the steps below to generate the form and then take the form to any bank to pay the fee. Once done you’ll receive a receipt to bring to your appointment.

1. Open the tax “Tasa modelo 790 Código 012” document here 
2. Complete section “Identificación” of the form with your personal details. You can use our translations from the EX-18 Form above for help
3. Scroll to section “Autoliquidación” and make sure “principal” is selected
4. Scroll to section “Tarjetas de identidad de extranjeros (TIE) y certificados de registro de residentes comunitarios” and select the button labelled “Certificado de registro de residente comunitario o Tarjeta de residencia de familiar de un ciudadano de la Unión”.

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5. Scroll to section “Declarante“ and write the name of the city you are applying in (in our case: Madrid) and the day’s date
6. Continue to section “Ingreso“ and select “efectivo” (cash) as payment method
7. Fill in the CAPCHA code and click “descargar impreso rellenado” to generate your tax forms

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The page will reload and display the Tasa Modelo 790 Cogido 012 forms in a PDF format. You need to print out all of the pages and bring them to the nearest bank to pay the tax. The bank will stamp all three forms and keep one for their own records. You will need to bring the two remaining pages to your appointment.

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2.5 What Documents do you Need to Submit at your NIE Appointment?

• Proof of appointment (printed page with cita previa confirmation code)
• Completed EX-18 form, printed and signed (original and copy)
• Passport or DNI (original and copy) Important: You need to use the same document for all forms, do not use DNI for the forms and then bring your passport to the appointment or vice versa
• Tasa Modelo 790 codigo 012 printed, paid and stamped by the bank
• European health insurance card or your private health insurance for Spain (original and copy)
• Document that certifies the reason of your stay in Spain. Like a letter of acceptance of your university, work contract, internship contract, etc.

2.6 Attending your NIE Appointment – What to Expect

We recommend getting to your appointment early with all your paperwork well organized. Depending on the time of year there will probably be a high influx of people applying and you do not want to miss your slot. The majority of the staff working at these offices do not speak any English so the more organized you are the quicker and easier the appointment will go for both. If you miss something you will be turned away and need to start again. 

You will receive your NIE before leaving your appointment, so sit back and it’ll all be over soon!

If you are looking for assistance on the day of your appointment we recommend contacting MTS Relocation & Consulting Services. They offer a support service for NIE appointments and can help you on the day of your appointment to ensure everything goes smoothly.

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3. How to Apply for a TIE in Madrid as a Non-EU Citizen

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Due to Spain’s infamous bureaucracy applying for your TIE in Madrid usually ends up being very tedious, time consuming and an overall frustrating experience. Luckily for you, our “Step-by-step TIE Spain application guide” below will help you through the whole process – from what documents you need to submit, how to fill out the important forms and making your appointment! Make sure you read it carefully so you don’t miss any important details!

Get support from others looking to apply for these documents too by joining our Legal Support Facebook Forum. You can also join our WhatsApp group that is specifically catered to people looking for appointments for their applications! Simply send a message to our official mobile number (+34 656 19 07 45) and ask to join the Fingerprint Alert chat!

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3.2 “Cita Previa” TIE Madrid – How to Make your TIE Appointment

To get started you need to make your appointment, also known as “cita previa”. To make the appointment head over to the official website here. You will need to select the province that you will reside in. The process is more or less the same overall, however in this article we will be covering the steps for making a cita previa for a TIE in Madrid. Once you’ve selected Madrid as your province, continue with the following steps!

1. In the next drop-down labelled Trámites Cuerpo Nacional de Policía select “Policía – Toma de Huellas (Expedición de Tarjeta) y Renovación de Tarjeta de Larga Duración“. Then click “aceptar” to continue.

In April 2021 the government added the option to choose an office already on the first page. However, it is not mandatory and you can leave it blank. If you know which office you’d like to go to, you can select it at this stage. Just keep in mind this might limit your options depending on availability for your specific “appointment type” at that one office.

2. The page will refresh to an overview of what documents you need for the TIE in Madrid. You can review it but we also have it listed in English below. Click “entrar” to continue.
3. Here you need to fill in your personal details. Use your passport if you are applying for the first time. Please ensure the information is entered exactly how it is shown on your document. Click “aceptar” to continue.

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4. The page will reload and give you 4 buttons. Click “solicitar cita”.
5. The next page you will have a drop down to select what offices to have your appointment. The most popular office in Madrid is located at Avenida de los Poblados. However we recommend just choosing what is there because appointments for the TIE are very hard to find. Once chosen, click “siguente”.
6. The next page will ask for your contact info. Please choose a relevant Spanish phone number that you have on hand as they will be sending an important code that you will need to enter to continue. Once done, click “siguiente”.

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7. If there are appointment slots available the page will give you some options for the next appointment “period”, which is usually 1-2 weeks out. Select your preferred date and time. The page will automatically reload. If there are no appointments available, the page will tell you “En este momento no hay citas disponibles. En breve, la oficina pondrá a su disposición nuevas citas”. You will need to try again later. If you need your TIE urgently, you can contact MTS. They will help you to get the cita previa as quick as possible.

8. Review your personal data and the details of the appointment to make sure all is correct. A security code will be sent to the phone number you indicated earlier – type the number in the box at the bottom of the page. Also make sure to select both checkboxes before clicking “confirmar”.
9. Once your appointment is confirmed you will see your appointment code at the top of the page. You will receive this confirmation via email however we recommend saving and printing this page too.

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3.3 How to Correctly Fill out the EX-17 Form (TIE Madrid Application Form)

To apply for the TIE in Spain (any province) you need to complete the EX-17 form. It’s quite straight forward but we have translated it for you and explained how to fill each section below.

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3.4 How to Fill out and Pay the Tax Form 790 (Code 012) for the TIE Card

Another step you need to complete before going to your TIE appointment is to pay the corresponding tax fee of 16,08 Euros (December 2023). Follow the steps below to generate the form and then take the form to any bank to pay the fee. Once done you’ll receive a receipt to bring to your appointment.

1. Open the tax document “Tasa modelo 790 Código 012” here.
2. Complete section “Identificación” of the form with your personal details. You can use our translations from the EX-17 Form for help.
3. Scroll to section “Autoliquidación” and make sure “principal” is selected.
4. Scroll to the section labelled Tarjetas de identidad de extranjeros (TIE) y certificados de registro de residentes comunitarios and select the button labelled “TIE que documenta la primera concesión de la autorización de residencia temporal, de estancia o para trabajadores transfronterizos”.

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5. Scroll to section “Declarante” and write the name of the city in Spain you are applying in (in our case: Madrid) and the days date.
6. Continue section “Ingreso“ and select “efectivo” (cash) as payment method.
7. Fill in the CAPCHA code and click “descargar impreso rellenado” to generate your tax forms.

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The page will reload and display the Tasa Modelo 790 Cogido 012 forms in a PDF format. You need to print out all of the pages and bring them to the nearest bank to pay the tax. The bank will stamp all three forms and keep one for their own records. You will need to bring the two remaining pages to your appointment.

Are you in need to open a Spanish bank account but do not have a NIE card or TIE card yet? Fill out our Free Online Banking Form and we will connect you directly with Banco Sabadell’s International Office in Madrid. They will give you more information on their quick and easy process to opening a free Spanish bank account as a non-resident!

If you prefer an online only bank than you can also open your Spanish bank account now online with Revolut! One of the most popular, free banking apps in Europe!

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3.5 What Documents do you Need to Submit at your TIE Appointment?

• Proof of appointment (printed page with cita previa confirmation code)
• Completed EX-17 form, printed and signed (original and copy)
• Passport (original and copies of all pages)
• Tasa Modelo 790 codigo 012 printed, paid and stamped by the bank
• Recent, colour, passport sized (32mmx26mm) photo of your face
• Valid Empadronamiento which matches the address indicated on the EX-17 form (original and copy)
• Valid visa document approving your stay in Spain (original and copy)
• Proof of valid private health insurance for Spain which covers your entire intended stay (original and copy)
• Document that certifies the reason of your stay in Spain. Like a letter of acceptance of your university, work contract, internship contract, etc.

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3.6 Your TIE Appointment – What to Expect

When it’s time to go to your TIE appointment you should prepare to be out for a while. The offices are often outside the center and despite there being appointment slots, there will be long lines and lots of people. We recommend getting to your appointment early with all your paperwork well organized. If you miss something you will be turned away and need to start again. The majority of the staff working at these offices do not speak any English so the more organized you are the quicker and easier the appointment will go for both.

You will be called to sit with a government rep as they analyze your paper work. Once everything is cleared they will take your fingerprints (toma de huellas). They will give you a white paper with your personal details and your NIE number printed on it. This paper does not act as a TIE and does not give you residence status, it is to be used as proof that you submitted your paperwork while you wait for your TIE card to be printed.

The card will be ready between 20-40 days after application. Make sure you ask them so you can plan to pick up your card for the right time. As of Jan 2021 it is mandatory to make an appointment to pick up the TIE card. You can make this appointment here under “Policía – Recogida de Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero (TIE)“.

If you are looking for assistance on the day of your appointment we recommend contacting MTS Relocation & Consulting Services. They offer a support service for NIE & TIE appointments and can help you also on the day of your appointment.

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4 Get Personalized Support with your NIE Card/TIE Card Application

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The steps mentioned above can be overwhelming for anyone! If you’re struggling to make your appointment and to fill out all the correct forms, we recommend contacting MTS Relocation & Consulting Services! They offer many services to help their clients prepare for the NIE/TIE but also other legal procedures like the Empadronamiento, Autorización de Regreso, TIE Renewal, Social Security, Spanish citizenship and so on. From simply making your appointment to preparing all the documents!

5. How to Renew your NIE or TIE in Madrid

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Nothing lasts forever, and that’s certainly true for the NIE as well as the TIE Card in Spain. At some point you will need to renew your NIE/TIE and even though you might think that it will be a simpler process than the initial application, it can actually be even more complicated. This chapter will cover NIE/TIE renewals in Madrid, including who needs to renew and how it works. Continue reading and remember to use our free Immigration Support Form if you have any doubts.

5.1 NIE Renewal Madrid – What is it and how to do it

If you remember from everything we shared above, the NIE is the small green residence card for EU-Citizens living in Spain for longer than 3 months. The NIE card is valid for 5 years and then the cardholder will need to look into the process of “renewing”. However, technically there is no such thing as a NIE renewal. Instead you will be required to upgrade to what is known as a permanent NIE (Certificado Permanente).

We call it an upgrade because the permanent certificate does not expire and solidifies your residence in Madrid and Spain for the rest of your life. The NIE renewal process is similar to the initial NIE application. You can make your appointment on the official Spain administration website. There you will also find the list of what you need to present at your appointment.

5.2 How to Renew your TIE in Madrid (for Non-EU citizens)

This is where things get tricky. Most TIE cards in Spain are valid for around 12 months. Of course, this may vary depending on each individual circumstance of each non-EU citizen (length of visa, reason for your stay, nationality, etc). In any case, the TIE will always need to be renewed at some point if you plan to remain in Spain. Unfortunately the process to renew your TIE is rather complicated, mainly due to lack of transparent information online and Spain’s habit of constantly changing their procedures without sufficient communication. But below we will do our best to highlight the most important information.

5.2.1 How to Qualify for a TIE Renewal

The purpose of renewing your TIE is to essentially repeat the exact same situation that you had when you first applied. This means that you must continue studying at the same place and the same course type (e.g. “international business” at Complutense University), working or interning in the same field, staying in the same city and so on. Your application for renewal will most likely not be accepted if you are altering your reason for being in Madrid/ Spain. Please be advised that the TIE renewal is also not a way to modify your legal status from student to worker or vice versa. Any major change in your situation in Spain will require a complete reset. Meaning you will need to return to your home country and apply for a new visa under your new circumstances or dive in to the process of visa modification.

Modifying your visa status from a student to a worker is not easy. If you are interested in doing a modification, feel free to fill out our Immigration Support Form at the bottom of this page and we connect you with a group of expert lawyers who can assist you during the entire process if needed.

5.2.2 When to Renew Your TIE

You can begin the process of renewing your TIE in Madrid as early as 60 days before your TIE expires and up to 90 days after it has expired. Please note that the process can take time, so the earlier you start the better. Additionally please bear in mind that as your Visa & TIE will be expired and as you will need to submit the originals of your documents, you will not be able to travel outside of Spain while your TIE renewal is in process. If you wish you travel home (and only home) during this time, make sure you apply for an Autorización de Regreso (Authorization to Return Permit).

As we mentioned above, renewing your TIE is more complex than the initial application due to very limited online resources. Spain is constantly changing and evolving their procedures which makes it difficult to be fully transparent. If you are having issues with your application, please remember to reach out to our partners at MTS Relocation & Consulting Services. Their experienced and informed team can help you with your TIE renewal in Madrid as well as many other legal support services to take the stress off of your shoulders and to make sure you comply with Spanish legislation.

6. Fill out our free Immigration Support Form for More Advice.

Feeling overwhelmed and still have some questions or would like an expert to support? Fill our our Immigration Support Form below and we will do our best to guide you in the right direction. Depending on your question we might send you some helpful resources, or connect you with experienced professionals who can give you a free consultation. Take advantage of the form and submit any questions you might have! The first email consultation is free of charge!

Please note: By sending the form below, you automatically agree that we can forward your data to “MTS – Relocation & Consulting Services for Spain” as well as “Proyecto Océano” so that they may review your case and provide you with further advice if needed!

6. FAQ

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