Language help at immigration offices (extranjería)

Key rules

• Interpreter: Ordinary applications get no interpreter, so bring your own helper or hire one.
• Companions: Whether a companion may enter is up to the office, so ask when you book.
• Notifications: Official letters arrive in Spanish, so have them translated straight away.
• Free interpreter: Detainees, criminal defendants and asylum seekers in interviews have a right to an interpreter.

Plan your own language help

Offices that handle foreigners' paperwork work in Spanish. For ordinary applications, such as an NIE, fingerprinting for a TIE or a residence renewal, they do not generally provide an interpreter. Ordinary administrative offices do not have to provide one, so bring your own helper or hire one.

Arrange this before your appointment, not on the day. The checklist below sets out the steps.

Bringing a friend or interpreter

No general rule bans a friend, relative or interpreter from coming to an appointment, and it is common. In practice, some offices admit only you, or you plus a minor's guardian, because of space or security. Staff decide on the day.

• Ask the office when you book whether a companion or interpreter may come in with you.
• If they say no, ask whether you can have someone on a phone or video call, or arrange a representative instead.
• Your helper cannot speak for you in place of proper representation. If a representative acts for you, they need your written authorisation.

Practice varies by office, so always ask when booking.

Forms, websites and letters

Application forms are in Spanish. Government guidance on residence and work permits is mainly in Spanish, with some pages in English and a few leaflets in other languages. The police website has some information in English and other languages. What is offered changes, and the Spanish version is the one that counts.

Official notifications and decisions arrive in Spanish. Get each one translated as soon as it arrives, because letters can carry deadlines.

When an interpreter is guaranteed

You have the right to a free interpreter if you are detained by the police or are a defendant in criminal proceedings. Asylum seekers get interpreters during their interviews. These rights do not cover ordinary applications.

If you cannot pay for an interpreter

Some NGOs and town immigration services give informal language help, often free. Ask a local NGO or your town's immigration service well before your appointment, as they may book up.

What to bring

Bring your original documents and photo ID. The documents list below has the details.

Documents you need

• Your original documents for the appointment, as the office asks for them.

• Your photo ID, such as your passport.

• A written authorisation, only if a representative acts for you instead of you attending yourself.

Check with the office when you book whether your helper may come in and what they need to show.

Checklist

• Arrange your own Spanish speaker or hired interpreter before the appointment.

• Ask a local NGO or your town's immigration service about free language help if you cannot pay for an interpreter.

• Get any Spanish notification translated as soon as it arrives.

Frequently asked questions

Can I bring a friend or interpreter to my fingerprint appointment?

Yes, you can usually bring a friend, relative or interpreter, but some offices only let the applicant in, so entry is up to the staff. Ask the office when you book.

Are immigration forms and instructions available in English?

Some guidance pages and leaflets are in English or other languages, but the application forms are in Spanish. Use the English pages to understand the process, and fill in the Spanish forms with a helper if needed.

In what language will my official notifications arrive?

Your official notifications and resolutions arrive in Spanish, so you should have them translated. Do this as soon as they arrive so you do not miss a deadline.

Who can get a free interpreter at the police or immigration?

Free interpreters are guaranteed for people detained or defendants in criminal proceedings, and for asylum interviews. Ordinary applicants, for example for fingerprinting or renewals, do not get one. Some NGOs and municipal immigration services offer informal language help.