Spanish Passport Renewal in the UK 2026 (Spanish Consulates / Registro de Matrícula Consular)

Before booking anything, determine whether your UK address belongs to the Spanish Consulate General in London, Manchester or Edinburgh. The consulates do not allow applicants to freely choose another office merely because it has an earlier appointment. The competent office is determined by residence.

Spanish citizens who habitually live abroad must register as residents in the Registro de Matrícula Consular. Passport appointment systems use the consular registration number, so make sure your registration is active and your UK address and contact details are current.

If you have moved within the UK or your personal circumstances changed, update the information recorded in the Registro de Matrícula Consular before arranging the passport appointment. The competent office may require proof of continued residence in its jurisdiction.

Passport applications require a prior appointment. London uses its passport appointment system with the Registro de Matrícula Consular number and personal access details. Manchester's passport appointment system also requires the consular registration number. Edinburgh likewise operates an appointment-based consular service.

Bring the existing Spanish passport, DNI if available, the required 32 x 26 mm photograph and any supporting documents for identity, residence, civil-status, lost-passport or minor applications. Do not use a generic 35 x 45 mm photo unless the competent office specifically tells you otherwise; the UK Spanish passport pages specify 32 x 26 mm.

The passport application is personal and must normally be submitted in person, including for minors and persons with disabilities who require personal identification. The consular officer verifies identity and documents before proceeding with the application.

During the application, fingerprints are taken from applicants over 12 years old. The signature is digitally captured for applicants over 14 and for younger applicants or persons unable to sign when the consulate considers it possible.

The current UK consular fee is £26.35. London states that payment is made by bank card and does not accept American Express. Manchester accepts debit or credit card. Check the competent office's current payment instructions before attending.

After the application is accepted, the consulate gives you a receipt containing a code that can be used to check the passport's processing status through the official SUTRÁMITE CONSULAR tracking service.

The ordinary passport is produced in Spain and sent to the relevant consular office. London currently describes an average delivery period of about 3 weeks from the application date, although this is indicative and can be extended. Manchester also publishes about 3 weeks on its current passport page, while Edinburgh publishes the same indicative 3-week timeframe.

Collection and postal procedures differ by office. London can return the passport by prepaid Special Delivery where the applicant supplies the required envelope. Manchester requires a prepaid Special Delivery envelope for postal return. Edinburgh currently describes collection at the consulate during its published public-attendance hours.

When collecting the new passport, the previous passport is presented for cancellation. Spanish consular offices state that the cancelled old passport can generally be kept by the applicant after it has been invalidated.