Just Arrived and Overwhelmed

RestaurantDoc wrote:

I'd still like to know if I need a signed lease in order to get an empadronamiento certificate, and that I need the empadronamiento certificate before I can apply for the TIE.

The Spanish Consulate in SF told us [in writing] that we had to OBTAIN the TIE within 30 days of arrival -- a virtual impossibility if all those steps are required first. Later in their note they say we had to REQUEST the TIE within 30 days. Can I request it without having the other documentation first? Very confusing.

Various blog posts suggest the authorities are not strict on the 30 days as long as the appropriate events are in process -- but I don't want to push my luck. Any advice?

Yes, you are correct- you can't get on the padron until you have a long-term residence, which you prove by either showing your purchase paperwork if you bought a place; or by showing your lease, if you rented.

You only are supposed to *request* your TIE before 30 days are up, but they do give some leeway on that. The appointment portal often won't have appointments available in that time period, even if you started looking on day 1 of arrival.

My mother-in-law came in early October on a non-lucrative visa and we couldn't get her TIE appointment until about 6 weeks after her arrival.

When we stopped by the information desk at the police to check on the document requirements we double-checked that and they said "don't worry about it, you made the appointment within the 30 days". Valencia's police department (on Calle Gremis) allow people without an appointment to show up for information, but to actually process for the card, you'll usually need an appointment.

That said, it's not a meaningless requirement, so (to be a bit blunt) you should really get cracking on finding a place to live.

(As far as the TIE itself, you won't get the physical card for 3-4 weeks after the initial appointment to request it, so yeah, you don't have to OBTAIN it in that 30 day time period.)

Johncar wrote:

I am informed by the police that thoughout spain one can only now make an appointment online to submit applications or even to ask questions.

Incorrect, at least in Valencia as of last week. They even have a policeman in front of their office who separates people into two lines, those with appointments and those who are just there to ask questions/get information or pick up their cards once issued.

(Even if you have an appointment, you typically have to wait outside as there are not enough chairs in the waiting room inside- only four seats for the information desk and about 10 or 12 for the processing of TIEs.)

Those poor guys trade off on that job, it's like trying to herd cats sometimes- only in a dozen different languages!

As typical for Spain, local procedures vary, even though in theory they should all be identical according to the national standard.