Modelo 790 Código 012: How to Pay Spanish Immigration Fees

Modelo 790 Código 012 is the government fee form used for many Policía Nacional procedures involving foreigners in Spain.

You may need it for procedures involving a NIE, CUE, TIE, Autorización de Regreso or another foreigner-document service.

The most important thing to understand is that 790-012 is not one single fee.

It is a form containing multiple fee concepts, and the amount you pay depends on the exact procedure you select.

If you are still working out which form, fee or appointment applies to you, start with our Spanish Immigration Forms, Fees and Appointments Guide.

What Is Modelo 790 Código 012?

Modelo 790 is a family of Spanish government fee forms.

The number after it identifies the particular fee system.

For many Policía Nacional Extranjería procedures, the relevant version is:

The official Policía Nacional generator currently groups a range of foreigner-document and related procedures under this code.

What Is Modelo 790 Código 012 Used For?

Common examples include:

• NIE assignment;
• certificate of residence;
• certificate of non-residence;
• CUE registration;
• TIE issuance;
• student TIE procedures;
• long-term residence cards;
• EU-family residence cards;
• Autorización de Regreso;
• Cédula de inscripción;
• certain short-stay extensions;
• certain carta de invitación procedures; and
• other Policía Nacional foreigner-document procedures.

The exact list can change, so always use the live official form rather than relying on an old screenshot.

Does Modelo 790 Código 012 Have One Fixed Price?

No.

This is the most common mistake.

The amount depends on the procedure you select.

Why Do Different People Pay Different Amounts?

Because the same form covers different administrative acts.

For example, these are different procedures:

• assigning a NIE;
• issuing a CUE;
• issuing an initial TIE;
• issuing a renewed TIE;
• issuing a long-term residence card; and
• issuing an Autorización de Regreso.

Each can have its own fee concept and amount.

Where Should You Get the Form?

Use the official Policía Nacional online generator.

Do not download an old blank PDF from an unofficial website unless you have independently confirmed that it is still current.

The official generator allows you to:

• enter your identification details;
• enter your address;
• select the exact fee concept;
• generate the amount; and
• download the completed payment form.

Step 1: Open the Official 790-012 Generator

Go to the Policía Nacional’s official Tasa Modelo 790 Código 012 page.

The page contains the identification fields and list of procedures covered by the fee form.

Use the official source link in the Official Sources section at the bottom of this guide.

Step 2: Enter Your Identification

The current form asks for identification information.

Depending on your situation, the accepted identifier can include:

• NIF;
• NIE;
• passport;
• travel document; or
• another analogous identity document valid for entry into Spain.

Use the identification document relevant to your actual procedure.

Step 3: Enter Your Name and Address

The generator asks for information including:

• surname and name;
• street type and address;
• municipality;
• province;
• postal code; and
• other contact details where applicable.

Enter the information carefully because it becomes part of the generated payment document.

Step 4: Select the Exact Fee Concept

This is the critical step.

The page presents multiple procedures.

Select only the one that corresponds to what you are actually doing.

For example:

The wording on the live form is what matters.

How Do You Know the Current Amount?

The official generator calculates or displays the applicable amount for the selected procedure.

Use that current amount.

This is more reliable than copying a fee from:

• an old blog post;
• a forum;
• a Facebook group;
• a previous year’s form; or
• a screenshot someone sends you.

Why We Do Not Publish a Fixed Fee Table Here

Spanish administrative fees can change.

A fixed table becomes outdated and can cause applicants to pay the wrong amount.

For that reason, Paperwork Spain uses the official live generator as the source of truth for the amount payable.

Step 5: Check the Form Before Generating It

Before downloading the form, verify:

• your identification number;
• your name;
• your address;
• the selected procedure;
• the amount; and
• the payment method.

Correcting a mistake before payment is much easier than trying to solve an incorrectly paid fee afterwards.

Step 6: Download the Completed Form

Once the information is complete, generate and download the completed 790-012.

Save a copy before paying.

If you are attending an in-person procedure, it is sensible to retain a printed copy together with the rest of your paperwork.

How Can You Pay Modelo 790 Código 012?

The official Policía Nacional procedure pages state that the fee can be paid through:

• banks;
• savings banks; and
• credit cooperatives.

The current form also includes payment options such as cash and debit to an account, depending on the method used and the cooperating institution.

Follow the instructions printed on the generated form and those of the institution processing the payment.

Do You Need a Spanish Bank Account?

Not necessarily.

Policía Nacional specifically states on several Extranjería procedure pages that it is not necessary to have an account open at the bank, savings bank or credit cooperative simply to present the payment document.

That can be particularly useful for new arrivals who have not yet opened a Spanish bank account.

Can You Pay the Fee in Cash?

The current official form includes a cash payment option.

Whether a particular institution accepts cash at a particular branch can depend on its operating arrangements.

Check before relying on a specific branch, especially if your appointment is close.

Can You Pay by Direct Debit?

The current form also provides an account-debit option and a field for an IBAN.

Follow the instructions shown on the generated form and confirm that the payment method is accepted by the institution processing it.

Can You Pay Online?

Electronic payment options can depend on the specific tax or fee system, your identification credentials and the services currently enabled by the administration.

Do not assume that every 790-012 can be paid online in the same way by every applicant.

If the official system offers electronic payment for your situation, follow that process.

Otherwise, use one of the payment methods shown on the generated form.

Do You Need to Pay Before Your Appointment?

For many Policía Nacional procedures, proof of payment is listed among the required documents.

That means you should normally pay the fee before attending unless the specific official procedure says otherwise.

What Counts as Proof of Payment?

Keep the validated or otherwise accepted proof that the fee has been paid.

Depending on the payment method, this may involve:

• a bank-validated payment copy;
• an electronic payment receipt;
• a debit confirmation; or
• another official payment record.

Bring the appropriate proof to the appointment.

What if You Pay the Wrong Fee?

Do not simply alter the paid document by hand and assume the payment now corresponds to a different procedure.

The payment is associated with the fee concept and amount actually paid.

If you selected the wrong procedure or amount, check the competent authority’s instructions for:

• paying the correct fee;
• requesting a refund where applicable; or
• making a complementary payment if the official system permits it.

What Is a Complementary 790-012?

The current official generator includes an option for a complementary self-assessment.

This requires information from the original payment, including the receipt number and the amount previously paid.

A complementary payment should only be used where it is appropriate to correct or complete the original assessment.

Do not select it merely because you are unsure which fee to pay.

Can You Reuse an Old Paid 790-012?

Do not assume that a payment made for one procedure can be reused for a different procedure.

Likewise, an old form generated under an earlier fee schedule may not reflect the current amount.

Generate a new form when starting a new procedure unless the authority specifically confirms that the existing payment remains valid.

Modelo 790 Código 012 for a NIE

Standalone NIE assignment is one of the procedures using Código 012.

The application itself normally uses EX-15.

See our detailed guide: How to Get a NIE in Spain as a Non-Resident.

Modelo 790 Código 012 for a CUE

EU, EEA and Swiss citizens applying for the Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Unión also use Código 012.

The corresponding application normally uses EX-18.

See our CUE in Spain guide.

Modelo 790 Código 012 for a TIE

TIE procedures also commonly use Código 012.

The important point is to select the fee concept matching the particular card:

• initial card;
• renewal;
• student card;
• long-term card;
• EU-family card; or
• another specific category.

The ordinary TIE application uses EX-17, although some special residence-card regimes use different underlying application forms.

See our TIE in Spain guide.

Modelo 790 Código 012 for Autorización de Regreso

The Policía Nacional also uses Código 012 for Autorización de Regreso.

The application normally uses EX-13.

The return authorisation is a separate procedure from the TIE itself.

Is Modelo 790 Código 012 the Same as Modelo 790 Código 052?

No.

Spain uses different fee codes for different authorities and immigration procedures.

Código 012 is strongly associated with Policía Nacional foreigner-document procedures.

Other immigration authorisations can involve different fee models and codes.

Do You Need a Cita Previa to Pay the Fee?

No.

Paying the fee and booking the appointment are separate steps.

A typical sequence is:

1. identify the procedure;
2. complete the correct EX form;
3. generate the correct 790-012;
4. pay the fee;
5. book or confirm the required appointment; and
6. attend with proof of payment.

See our How to Book a Cita Previa in Spain guide.

Does Paying the Fee Mean Your Application Is Submitted?

No.

This distinction is important.

Paying Modelo 790 Código 012 only pays the government fee.

It does not by itself:

• submit the application;
• grant residence;
• assign a NIE;
• issue a CUE;
• issue a TIE; or
• reserve an appointment.

Common Modelo 790 Código 012 Mistakes

“Código 012 has one fixed price.”

No. Different fee concepts have different amounts.

“I can use the fee amount from last year.”

Do not assume so. Generate the current form.

“I need Código 012 for every immigration application.”

No. Other immigration procedures can use different fee codes.

“Printing the form means I paid it.”

No. You still need to complete the payment.

“Paying the fee books my appointment.”

No. Payment and Cita Previa are separate.

“I must have a bank account at the bank where I pay.”

Not necessarily. Policía Nacional states for the relevant procedures that the payment document can be presented at participating banks, savings banks and credit cooperatives without needing an account there.

“I can change the fee concept after paying.”

Do not assume so. The payment corresponds to the concept actually assessed and paid.

Modelo 790 Código 012 Checklist

Modelo 790 Código 012: The Short Version

Modelo 790 Código 012 is the Policía Nacional fee form used for many Spanish foreigner-document procedures.

It is used for procedures including NIE assignment, CUE, TIE, Autorización de Regreso and several other services.

There is no single universal Código 012 amount.

You must select the exact fee concept corresponding to your procedure and use the amount shown by the current official generator.

Paying the fee does not submit your application or book your appointment.

Where to Go Next

• Spanish Immigration Forms, Fees and Appointments Guide
• How to Book a Cita Previa in Spain
• How to Get a NIE in Spain as a Non-Resident
• How to Get a CUE in Spain
• How to Get a TIE in Spain