Apply for asylum or international protection in Spain

What you need to have to hand

1. Your passport or ID (if you have it). 2) A chronological account of what happened and why you fear returning. 3) Evidence: official papers, photos, chats, medical reports, etc. 4) An address in Spain to receive letters. 5) Details of your family if relevant. 6) Phone and email you actually check.

Documentation

• Pasaporte/ID from your country (or explain why you don't have it).
• Written account signed (helps you not to forget details during the interview).
• Evidence proving persecution or risk (originals and copies). If not in Spanish, translation; sworn translation better if you can get it.
• Empadronamiento or permission from the property holder to use their address for notifications.
• Libro de familia/certificates if you include spouse/minors.
• Passport-style photo, sometimes requested for the card (if not, they'll take it there).

Step by step

1. Decide where to go: at a border, tell Policía de Fronteras; on territory, go to the Comisaría de Extranjería in your province and declare you are requesting international protection.
2. Interview: they will ask everything (who, how, when, where). Hand copies of your evidence. If you don't speak Spanish, request an interpreter (they must provide one).
3. Resguardo: they give you the applicant receipt (white sheet). From that moment you are documented and protected from removal.
4. Admisión a trámite: when OAR admits the case, they will call you for fingerprints and issue the tarjeta de solicitante (the ‘tarjeta roja’). At first it does not authorise work.
5. Work: at month 6 from your application, go to renew the card so it says “authorises to work”. Mark that date on your calendar.
6. Renewals: every 6 months while there is no decision. If you change address, notify it in writing so you don't miss letters.
7. Decision: if granted, you'll go to huellas TIE for the protection TIE; if denied, check appeals and deadlines (don't let them pass).

Tricks that save you time

• Bring your account printed and signed. Pressure makes you forget things.
• Order evidence by date and bring copies. Originals in a separate folder.
• Note the file number and the application date. It will save you when renewing and for counting the 6 months.
• If it's hard to get an appointment, go early and ask at Extranjería info where asylum is processed in your province. Every city has its own "way".

Common mistakes that can mess up your application

• Not attending interview/fingerprints: the file can be closed for abandonment and you'll have to start again (if they let you).
• Moving house without notifying: they notify by BOE and you lose the appeal deadline.
• Working before 6 months: you risk sanctions and problems with your file.
• Making up facts: if they find inconsistencies, they damage your credibility. Better to say “I don't remember” than invent something.
• Filing with no evidence when you could provide it: you don't need a perfect dossier, but everything you have helps.