Spain’s Economic and Social Council (CES) issued a damning opinion on 9 January, calling the current immigration-paperwork process "not fit for purpose" after thousands of foreign residents reported month-long waits for appointments to obtain or renew TIE cards. ([majorcadailybulletin.com](https://www.majorcadailybulletin.com/news/local/2026/01/09/139431/spain-immigration-paperwork-nightmare-says-official-body.html))
The advisory body, which groups unions, employers and civil-society organisations, says opportunistic intermediaries are using bots to hoard scarce extranjería slots and resell them online for up to €200 each. Police arrested more than 100 people across mainland cities last month for running appointment-scam networks, but demand still far exceeds supply.
Against this backdrop, specialist visa facilitator VisaHQ can step in to streamline the process for both companies and individuals. Using its online platform and on-the-ground partners in Spain (https://www.visahq.com/spain/), VisaHQ tracks appointment openings in real time, prepares the paperwork pack to the latest specifications and submits digital files the moment a slot becomes available—helping clients avoid black-market fees and shave weeks off standard processing times.
![Official watchdog brands Spain’s residence-permit system a "digital lottery"]()
Britons — now third-country nationals after Brexit — are among the hardest hit, with waits of up to four months in Málaga and the Balearics. Delays ripple into corporate mobility: expats cannot sign work contracts, lease property or open bank accounts until they hold a valid TIE, forcing companies to fund temporary accommodation and payroll advances.
The government says a new single digital platform, due to launch in stages from April 2026, will centralise all residence, work-authorisation and visa applications, cutting duplication and allowing AI-driven allocation of biometric-capture appointments. CES urges Madrid to publish a clear service-level agreement (maximum 30 days to decision) and impose fines on intermediaries that abuse the system.
Practical tip: mobility teams should reserve extra time for initial permit logistics this quarter and advise employees to monitor official appointment portals directly rather than third-party resellers.
The advisory body, which groups unions, employers and civil-society organisations, says opportunistic intermediaries are using bots to hoard scarce extranjería slots and resell them online for up to €200 each. Police arrested more than 100 people across mainland cities last month for running appointment-scam networks, but demand still far exceeds supply.
Against this backdrop, specialist visa facilitator VisaHQ can step in to streamline the process for both companies and individuals. Using its online platform and on-the-ground partners in Spain (https://www.visahq.com/spain/), VisaHQ tracks appointment openings in real time, prepares the paperwork pack to the latest specifications and submits digital files the moment a slot becomes available—helping clients avoid black-market fees and shave weeks off standard processing times.
Britons — now third-country nationals after Brexit — are among the hardest hit, with waits of up to four months in Málaga and the Balearics. Delays ripple into corporate mobility: expats cannot sign work contracts, lease property or open bank accounts until they hold a valid TIE, forcing companies to fund temporary accommodation and payroll advances.
The government says a new single digital platform, due to launch in stages from April 2026, will centralise all residence, work-authorisation and visa applications, cutting duplication and allowing AI-driven allocation of biometric-capture appointments. CES urges Madrid to publish a clear service-level agreement (maximum 30 days to decision) and impose fines on intermediaries that abuse the system.
Practical tip: mobility teams should reserve extra time for initial permit logistics this quarter and advise employees to monitor official appointment portals directly rather than third-party resellers.
