If you've been checking the Extranjería website for weeks and the calendar keeps coming up empty, you're not doing anything wrong. You've simply run into the everyday reality of the cita previa system in busy provinces like Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia.
Why slots disappear
Cita previa slots don't open on a fixed schedule. New windows appear irregularly — sometimes every few days, sometimes in the middle of the night or on weekends. Each office has a limited number of spots, and in popular provinces they get taken within seconds of opening.
On top of that, the portal itself glitches under heavy load: errors, frozen forms, "no available slots" messages even when a slot should theoretically exist. That's not a problem on your end — it's simply how the system behaves under pressure.
What you can try yourself
- Check the site at different times of day, including very early morning and late night — new slots often appear then
- Try the direct link for the specific procedure, not just the general portal — old bookmarks sometimes point to an outdated form
- If it applies to your case, consider a neighboring province with less demand
- Don't wait until the last minute — the closer to your visa deadline, the less room you have to maneuver
When it's worth getting help
If you're down to days rather than weeks, or you'd simply rather not spend hours refreshing the site, I track the Extranjería system constantly and book your appointment the moment a suitable slot opens. You only pay once the appointment is confirmed.