Guide: Paperwork & IDs
EX-15, EX-17, and Modelo 790 Forms Explained in Plain English
Practical 2026 guide to EX-15, EX-17, and Modelo 790 Forms for expats moving to Spain. Clear steps, required documents, and timeline planning for smoother processes.
Spain can absolutely improve your quality of life, but bureaucracy and planning mistakes can make this part of the move expensive. This guide covers EX-15, EX-17, and Modelo 790 Forms Explained in Plain English so you can select the right form/fee combination and avoid zero-value appointments.
Last reviewed on February 11, 2026. Rules, office criteria, and processing times can change. Confirm current requirements with official sources before filing or paying fees.
Clear promise
By the end of this guide, you should be able to make a confident go/no-go decision and execute the next steps without guessing.
Quick reality check
This path is usually a good fit if:
- You want to reduce repeat appointments by doing steps in the right order.
- You are willing to track forms, fee receipts, and status updates carefully.
This path is harder if:
- You are handling multiple procedures at once without one shared checklist.
- You rely on memory instead of saving proof files after each submission.
Decision questions to answer first
- Which procedure are you actually doing: NIE assignment, TIE issuance, or renewal?
- Which Modelo 790 fee code corresponds to your exact procedure?
- What parts of each form must match passport and prior Spanish records exactly?
Step-by-step main guidance
1. Start from procedure outcome, then choose form and fee code.
2. Copy identity fields exactly from official documents.
3. Pay fees with the correct code and keep stamped receipts.
4. Double-check signature blocks and appointment office requirements.
5. Bring redundant copies to prevent appointment failure from missing pages.
Costs, timing, and required documents
Use these ranges for planning, not as guarantees:
- Preparation and form validation: 1 to 3 weeks.
- Appointment availability: can be immediate or several weeks depending on city.
- Status updates and final issuance: usually 1 to 8 weeks by procedure.
Core documents to prepare:
- Current blank versions of EX-15, EX-17, and relevant fee form instructions.
- Passport and prior Spanish documents to copy exact legal names and numbers.
- Bank-stamped fee payment receipts for the correct code.
- Procedure-specific supporting documents tied to selected form.
- Printed copy set organized in submission order.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
- Submitting a correct form with the wrong fee code payment.
- Mixing data formats (names, passport numbers) across forms.
- Using old forms or fee codes copied from outdated forum posts.
Final action plan: what to do this week
- Write your exact procedure on top of each working draft form.
- Validate current form versions from official portals.
- Prepare a fee-code cheat sheet for your appointment day folder.
- Run a final identity-field consistency check on every page.