Modelo 790
Modelo 790 is a payment form used to pay official administrative fees (tasas) to the Spanish government. Unlike Modelo 036 or Modelo 100, which are filed at the Agencia Tributaria for tax purposes, Modelo 790 is used to pay fees for specific government services, primarily at the Policía Nacional and the Oficina de Extranjería.
The code system
Every Modelo 790 has a three digit code that determines what you are paying for and how much. The most common codes for people moving to Spain are:
Code 012: NIE, EU residency certificate (Green Card / CUE), and TIE. The fee varies depending on the procedure.
Code 052: passport related fees for Spanish nationals.
Code 062: work permits and authorisations.
You must select the correct code before paying. Using the wrong code means your payment will not match the procedure at your appointment, and the officer may reject it. This happens more often than you would expect, especially when people confuse code 012 (for NIE and TIE) with other codes.
How to pay
You fill in Modelo 790 online through the sede electrónica of the Ministry of Finance or the Policía Nacional website. The form generates a payment slip that you take to your bank. Most Spanish banks accept the payment at the counter or via their online banking. You then print the stamped receipt and bring it to your appointment as proof of payment. Some offices now accept the digital receipt without a physical stamp, but bringing the paper copy is still the safest approach.
Important: you must pay before your appointment, not at the appointment. If you arrive without the paid Modelo 790, your appointment will be cancelled.
Current fee amounts
Fee amounts change periodically. For 2026, the most common amounts are approximately 12 euro for the NIE assignment (code 012), approximately 16 euro for the TIE card (code 012), and approximately 22 euro for the EU residency certificate (code 012). Always verify the current amount on the official website before paying, as amounts are updated by royal decree and may change mid year.
Common mistakes
Paying the wrong code is the most frequent problem. The second is paying the wrong amount because you relied on outdated information from a blog or forum. The third is forgetting to pay at all and arriving at your appointment empty handed. Always pay and print the receipt the day before your cita previa.
