A new report released on 19 November shows that Spain’s online “cita previa” system—the gatekeeper for immigration appointments—has become a major choke-point for corporate mobility programmes. In Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia, appointment scarcity is now pushing residence-card issuance back by up to three months, jeopardising project start dates and exposing companies to fines if employees overstay.
Sky-high demand, understaffed extranjería offices and recurring IT glitches have created fertile ground for a growing black market. Bots snatch up fresh slots within seconds only to resell them for €30–€200 each, further starving legitimate users. The queuing chaos leaves new hires stranded, renewal applicants in legal limbo and HR teams scrambling to find openings in smaller provincial offices.
![‘Cita Previa’ Appointment Crisis Delays On-Boarding of Foreign Talent]()
Authorities have authorised 1,200 temporary clerks for early 2026 and are beta-testing a centralised booking portal, but practitioners remain sceptical after years of missed deadlines. Until the backlog eases, experts advise filing four to six months ahead of expiry, monitoring availability daily and budgeting for emergency travel to offices with better capacity.
For businesses, the operational hit is real: delayed projects, idle salaries and potential non-compliance penalties. Mobility managers should revise global timelines and educate travelling staff on the legal risks of working without a valid TIE, even when delays are government-induced.
Sky-high demand, understaffed extranjería offices and recurring IT glitches have created fertile ground for a growing black market. Bots snatch up fresh slots within seconds only to resell them for €30–€200 each, further starving legitimate users. The queuing chaos leaves new hires stranded, renewal applicants in legal limbo and HR teams scrambling to find openings in smaller provincial offices.
Authorities have authorised 1,200 temporary clerks for early 2026 and are beta-testing a centralised booking portal, but practitioners remain sceptical after years of missed deadlines. Until the backlog eases, experts advise filing four to six months ahead of expiry, monitoring availability daily and budgeting for emergency travel to offices with better capacity.
For businesses, the operational hit is real: delayed projects, idle salaries and potential non-compliance penalties. Mobility managers should revise global timelines and educate travelling staff on the legal risks of working without a valid TIE, even when delays are government-induced.
