Efforts underway to tackle irregular Extranjería appointment market in Palma

featured-image

The illegal trade in appointments for immigration procedures has been operating for years in Palma de Mallorca, particularly among the [...]

The illegal trade in appointments for immigration procedures has been operating for years in Palma de Mallorca, particularly among the migrant community settled in neighbourhoods such as Pere Garau and Son Gotleu. The inability to secure appointments through official channels drives many to resort to an illicit market that extends as far as Manacor. In ordinary call shops, appointments are sold for prices ranging between 40 and 100 euros.

There, one simply states the desired procedure, pays, and waits a day or two to receive confirmation. Competition among sellers has intensified in recent months, even leading to price wars. Particularly striking is the fact that many of the appointment confirmation screenshots sent to buyers list the same email address from the call shop, raising serious questions about the effectiveness of official oversight.



The phenomenon is not limited to physical establishments. Adverts pinned to lampposts and shared via social media and WhatsApp offer these services, run by mafias using bots to monopolise all available appointments on the official system. Many migrants fall victim to scams: after paying, they discover the appointment does not exist.

Often, they do not report the fraud for fear of repercussions, which only deepens their vulnerability. Most Read on Euro Weekly News Submarine docks in Palma: Here's how you can visit Candlelight tribute: Queen and ABBA Biggest cruise ship to dock in Mallorca The National Police are currently investigating the appearance of posters in Palma promoting these fraudulent services. In September 2024, they dismantled a network operating from Ibiza but covering much of Spanish territory.

The group, led by Argentine nationals, exploited the congestion of official systems to offer a service that should, in reality, be free of charge. Authorities warn that this practice, beyond constituting financial fraud, causes serious social harm: it blocks access to essential procedures such as residence renewals, family reunifications, or nationality applications, fuelling inequality and eroding trust in public administration. The police have urged the public not to resort to intermediaries and to process their applications solely through official channels.

For instance, obtaining a Foreign Identity Card (TIE) requires, after the approval of a residence permit or visa, booking an appointment at the Extranjería office to register fingerprints, submit the required documentation, and later collect the card. The TIE is crucial for proving legal residence in Spain and for carrying out other procedures such as opening bank accounts or signing employment contracts. However, securing an appointment at Extranjería has become one of the main challenges for expatriates and migrants.

The saturation of official systems and the limited availability of slots cause long waits, sometimes lasting months, significantly delaying the regularisation process. This situation has given rise to illegal appointment markets where intermediaries charge applicants for a service that should be free, creating inequality and further vulnerability among those striving to comply with the law. For many expatriates, this difficulty not only represents an administrative hurdle but also a source of considerable stress and insecurity.

As always, Euro Weekly News will endeavour to keep its readers updated. Those concerned who would like someone to sort it out for them, a good place to start is Upsticks to Spain ..