Making an appointment at the Immigration Office: it's illegal and discriminatory

You need to renew your residence permit or apply for citizenship, right? So you call, you go online, and the system gives you the classic “no appointments available.” You try for weeks, at all hours, and it’s always the same: “No appointments available.” Well, I’m going to let you in on a secret: that requirement for a mandatory appointment has no legal basis. The Constitution and the Common Administrative Procedure Act guarantee you the right to be served in person without hindrance. But the government has ignored that.

The result is a black market for appointments. If you pay between 30 and 80 euros to middlemen at call centers or phantom websites, appointments suddenly appear as if by magic. Administrative appointments—a public good, mind you—have become a cash cow. Meanwhile, those who can’t pay are left out. It’s discrimination, and major discrimination at that.

The last straw came when a SEPE official faced disciplinary action for assisting citizens without an appointment. His “crime”: doing his job and treating people like human beings. Empathy is punished, and bureaucratic protectionism is rewarded. What kind of country do we live in, huh?

To you, who’ve been struggling with the Immigration website for weeks, I say: you’re not alone. Demand your right to be served. File a complaint with the Ombudsman or submit a formal grievance. The mandatory appointment requirement is illegal, and you need to be clear on that.

If you’re having trouble with your appointment or paperwork, message us on Telegram: https://t.me/cita_extranjeria