← All guidesVISAS · REQUIRED
Book consulate appointment to lodge your visa application — wait times vary widely by consulate, so book as early as you can; appointments run through the consulate’s cita previa system
Long-stay visas are lodged from your home country, at the Spanish consulate that covers where you live — through its cita previa (appointment) booking system. The appointment slot, not the paperwork, is usually the bottleneck: secure the date first and assemble documents toward it. Wait times vary widely from consulate to consulate — a few weeks in some, several months in others — and your consulate's own page is the source of truth for current lead times.
WHEN IT'S DUE
Due 150 days before you arrive in Spain.
WHY IT MATTERS
A legal requirement for your situation. Verified against an official government source (AEAT, extranjería, BOE).
WHAT COMES FIRST
• Identify your visa categoryView the official source ↗
sede.maec.gob.es
Last verified 12 Jul 2026 · See what we’ve corrected →
LOLA'S TIP
Consulate appointments book out weeks ahead — secure the slot first, then assemble the paperwork.
Where does this fall in your move?
Whether this step even applies — and when it's due — depends on your passport, work, family and plans. Answer a few questions and Get Camino builds your full roadmap, every step in the right order with real deadlines.
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