When the consulate makes sense
It suits anyone who needs the number for something that happens before the move: signing a rental contract remotely, buying a home, accepting a contract that starts the day you arrive. Families aiming for a September school start often go this way, so their first weeks in Valencia are spent on the beach rather than in queues.
How it differs from applying in Spain
- You book with the consulate, not through the Spanish cita previa portal
- The same EX-15 form is used, and the fee is paid the way that consulate asks
- Each consulate sets its own appointment rhythm and document list
- The result is delivered through the consulate's own process
Where we fit in
We help you weigh the consulate against a Valencia appointment, prepare the EX-15 with you and flag what the consulate is likely to look at closely. If a fully remote start suits you better, a Spanish NIE online with Gestoraz is another way to begin before you travel.
Here in Valencia
Arriving with a number already assigned means your first Valencia appointment can be the one that matters next: the EU registration certificate at Calle de Bailén or, for non-EU residents, the fingerprints for a TIE, with cards issued at the Comisaría de Patraix.
Quick questions
Will I still need a green certificate or a TIE after moving?
Yes, if Valencia becomes home. The number from the consulate stays the same, but residence is a separate step: EU citizens register for the green certificate, non-EU residents apply for a TIE.
Which consulate do I use?
Whichever one has your home address in its district. Its website explains how to book and what it asks for.
Can my partner and children apply at the same time?
Each person files their own application. Ask the consulate whether family members can be seen in the same slot.