Form 790 code 052: the immigration fee and how to pay it

When you submit a residence application in Spain, you almost always have to pay an administrative fee, and this is where form 790 code 052, the most common immigration fee, comes in. It is the form with which you pay for processing most residence authorisations and the Foreigner Identity Card. In this guide we explain, in plain language, what it is, which procedures it is used for, roughly how much it costs and how to fill it in and pay it step by step.

What form 790 code 052 and the immigration fee are

Form 790 code 052 is the official self-assessment form used to pay the fee for processing residence authorisations and their extensions or renewals. It is not a payment to "buy" residence: it is a fee for the study of your file, which is why it must be paid even if the decision is later a refusal.

Code 052 is only one of those that exist within form 790. Each type of immigration procedure has its own code, so the first thing is to make sure you are using the correct one for your procedure. With the new Immigration Regulation (RD 1155/2024, in force since 20 May 2025), many procedures and requirements of the residence routes changed, but the form 790 fee system still works the same way: amounts set by regulation and payment before the decision.

Which procedures the code 052 is paid for

Broadly speaking, code 052 covers the processing of residence authorisations. Some common examples:

• Arraigo authorisations (social, sociolaboral, familiar, socioformativo or second-chance).
• Temporary non-lucrative residence and its renewals.
• Extensions and renewals of residence authorisations.
• Long-term residence and long-term EU residence.
• Return authorisation and other associated procedures.

If you are still unclear about which route applies to you before thinking about the fee, you can get your bearings with our immigration route finder and then check the specific page, for example that of arraigo social or non-lucrative residence, where the documentation for each procedure is detailed.

Difference between codes 052, 012 and 062

It is very common to use the wrong code. These are the three most often confused:

• Code 052: processing of residence authorisations and their extensions or renewals (arraigo, non-lucrative, long-term, etc.).
• Code 012: issuance of documents, such as the assignment of the NIE, EU registration certificates and, in many cases, the physical card itself (TIE).
• Code 062: authorisations to work (employed or self-employed). In employed work, this fee is usually paid by the hiring company.

In practice, in a single procedure you may have to pay more than one code: for example, the 052 for the residence authorisation and, later, the 012 for the issuance of the TIE. If your route combines residence and work, review the pages on residence and employed work or self-employed work to see which fees are involved in each case.

How much the form 790 code 052 fee costs

The amount depends on the specific heading within code 052 (an initial temporary authorisation is not the same as a long-term one). As an orientative reference, the 052 residence fees usually range from about EUR 10 to 20, depending on the type of authorisation.

Important: the amounts are updated periodically by regulation, so the reliable figure is always the one shown by the official form in the electronic office at the moment you generate it. Do not rely on old figures you see in forums: fill in the form and check the exact amount before paying.

How to fill in and pay form 790 code 052 step by step

These are the usual steps to process form 790 code 052:

1. Access the form on the Ministry's electronic office (General Access Point / Public Administrations office). Look for form 790 fee 052.
2. Select the heading that corresponds to your procedure (temporary residence, extension, long-term, etc.). This step determines the amount.
3. Fill in your details: name and surnames, NIE or passport, and address. Check that they match exactly those of your application.
4. Generate and download the PDF. The system creates a form with several copies (for the Administration, for the interested party and, where applicable, for the bank) and a receipt number.
5. Pay the fee. You have two options:
   • At the bank: go to a collaborating institution with the printed form and pay it at the counter or ATM.
   • Online: if you have a digital certificate, Cl@ve or card, you can pay electronically and obtain the stamped receipt.
6. Keep the proof of payment. You will have to submit it together with the rest of your application documentation; without proven payment, the file may remain incomplete.

Common mistakes when paying the immigration fee

• Choosing the wrong code (paying the 012 when it should have been the 052, or vice versa).
• Selecting a heading that does not correspond and paying an amount different from what is due.
• Entering the NIE or passport with errors, so that the payment does not match the application.
• Not keeping the stamped receipt or submitting it without proving payment.

If you detect an error after paying, there are procedures for refunding or correcting fees, although they are usually slow: it is better to check carefully before paying.

Frequently asked questions

Is the form 790 code 052 fee refunded if my residence is refused?

As a general rule, no. The fee is paid for processing the file, not for its outcome, so it is paid even if the decision is unfavourable. A refund is only possible in specific cases, such as a duplicate or mistaken payment.

Can I pay form 790 code 052 from abroad?

Payment usually requires a collaborating bank in Spain or Spanish electronic means of payment. If you are abroad, it is usual for a relative or representative in Spain to pay it, or to do it online if you have a digital certificate.

Does code 052 work for the Foreigner Identity Card (TIE)?

Not exactly. The 052 pays for the residence authorisation; the issuance of the physical card (TIE) is normally paid with code 012. Many procedures involve paying both at different times.

And for studying or for long-term residence, which fee do I pay?

The study stay and long-term residence also process their fee through form 790, with the code and heading indicated by the form itself. You can check the requirements of each route on the study stay and long-term residence pages.

Where can I check the exact and up-to-date amount?

On the form 790 itself in the electronic office: when you select the heading, the system shows the current amount. It is the most reliable source, because fees are updated by regulation.

Disclaimer: this guide is purely orientative and does not replace individual legal advice or the official information of the Administration. The amounts and procedures of the fees may be updated; always verify the figure in the corresponding electronic office and, if you have doubts about your specific case, consult an immigration professional.