Form 790 052: what it is, how much it costs, and how to pay it
Before starting the procedure: requirements and procedures may change. Check the information applicable to your case and consult the relevant official sources.
Form 790, Code 052 is an administrative fee used for many Spanish immigration procedures, especially those involving residence authorizations, renewals, extensions, arraigo residence routes, family reunification, long-term residence, return authorizations, certificates or NIE assignment.
Knowing what Form 790, Code 052, is, how much it costs, when to pay it and how to fill it in is important to avoid mistakes in your application. If you pay the wrong fee, select the wrong procedure or fail to submit the proof of payment on time, your application may be delayed or left incomplete.
Quick summary
What you need to know about Form 790 Code 052
Important: do not confuse Form 790 Code 052 with other fees. Applications for Spanish citizenship by residence usually use Form 790 Code 026. Fingerprinting, issuing or renewing the TIE is usually associated with Form 790 Code 012. Form 052 is used for other immigration procedures, especially residence authorizations and administrative documents.
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What is Form 790 Code 052
Form 790, Code 052 is the self-assessment form used to pay certain fees relating to Spanish immigration procedures. Its official name refers to the processing of residence authorizations and other documentation for foreign nationals.
In practice, many people need it when submitting an application for residence, a renewal, a change of authorization, an extension, an arraigo application, a return authorization, a NIE assignment or a certificate issued at the applicant’s request.
The form is generated through the Government online portal. When filling it in, select the province, enter your details and choose the correct procedure to ensure you pay the right amount.
Which procedures use Form 790 052
Form 052 can be used for various procedures. These are some of the most common:
- Initial temporary residence authorization, such as non-lucrative residence or family reunification.
- Renewal or extension of temporary residence.
- Residence on exceptional grounds, such as arraigo social (social-integration residence route), arraigo familiar (family-based residence route), arraigo sociolaboral (employment-based residence route), arraigo socioformativo (training-based residence route), or arraigo de segunda oportunidad (second-chance residence route).
- Change of immigration status, for example, changing from authorization to stay for studies to residence and work.
- Long-term residence or EU long-term residence.
- Return authorization.
- NIE assignment at the applicant's request.
- Certificates or reports issued at the applicant's request.
Related guides
If you are preparing for a specific procedure, these guides may also help:
How much does Form 790 052 cost?
The Form 790 052 does not have a single fixed fee. The amount depends on the procedure you are carrying out. That is why it is important to select the correct option on the official form.
Below are some indicative fees currently in force under Order PJC/617/2025. They may be updated if budgetary rules change, so before paying, always check the amount shown on the official form.
| Procedure | Indicative amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Initial non-lucrative temporary residence | 10,94 € | Initial temporary residence authorization. |
| Initial family reunification | 10,94 € | For an initial authorization through family reunification. |
| Temporary residence renewal | 16,40 € | Applicable to various renewals or extensions of temporary residence. |
| Arraigo and exceptional circumstances based on arraigo | 38,28 € | Includes arraigo social (social-integration residence route), arraigo familiar (family-based residence route), arraigo sociolaboral (employment-based residence route), arraigo socioformativo (training-based residence route) and arraigo de segunda oportunidad (second-chance residence route). |
| Long-term residence or EU long-term residence | 21,87 € | For a national or EU long-term residence authorization. |
| Return authorization | 10,72 € | To leave and return to Spain in certain circumstances. |
| Assignment of an NIE at the request of the interested party | 9,84 € | When an NIE is requested for economic, professional or social reasons. |
| Certificates or reports | 7,31 € | Issued at the request of the interested party. |
Tip: do not pay the fee using amounts found on old websites or in screenshots. The official form calculates the amount based on the province and the procedure selected. If the amount shown on the form does not match an external guide, always check the official source before paying.s5 withheld?s6 withheld?s7 withheld?s8 withheld?s9 withheld?s10 withheld?s11 withheld?s12 withheld?s13 withheld?s14 withheld?
When to pay Form 790 052
Form 052 is usually paid when submitting the application or within the deadline set by the Administration. In many procedures, payment is made when starting the process or together with the online submission.
If you complete the procedure electronically and the system allows payment as part of the process, payment is usually made during submission. If you generate the form to pay at a bank, you must keep the stamped or validated receipt.
In summary
- If you submit online, you can pay electronically when the system allows it.
- If you submit on paper, generate the form, print it and pay at a collaborating financial institution.
- Always keep the proof of payment.
- Do not pay a fee for a different procedure just because the amount is similar.
How to complete Form 790 Code 052 step by step
Completing Form 790 052 is not complicated, but it must be done carefully. The most common mistake is selecting the wrong procedure or choosing a province that does not correspond to where the application is submitted.
Basic steps
- Go to the Government Administration Electronic Office.
- Look for the option for Fee 052.
- Select the province where you will submit the application.
- Enter your personal details: NIE, first name, surname, nationality and address.
- Select the exact procedure that applies to your application.
- Check the amount generated by the system.
- Choose whether to pay online or print the form to pay at a bank.
- Save the payment receipt and attach it to your application file when required.
How to pay Fee 790 052 online or at a bank
There are two main ways to pay the fee: online or by completing and printing the form to pay at a collaborating financial institution.
Online payment
You can pay through the government online portal if you have a DNI electronic ID card, a digital certificate or access through Cl@ve. When you have finished, download the payment receipt.
Payment at a bank
Complete the form, print all copies and submit Form 790 to a collaborating financial institution to pay or have the amount debited from your account.
Difference between Fee 052, Fee 012 and Fee 026
One of the most common questions is which fee must be paid for each procedure. Although they may all be listed under Form 790, the fee code varies depending on the procedure.
| Fee | Common use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Code 790, Form 052 | Residence authorizations and immigration administrative documents. | Arraigo (Spanish residence pathways based on ties to Spain), family reunification, temporary residence, return authorization, NIE. |
| Code 790, Form 012 | Police procedures for foreign nationals’ identity documents. | Fingerprinting, issuance or renewal of a TIE. |
| Code 790, Form 026 | Procedures handled by the Ministry of Justice. | Application for Spanish citizenship by residence. |
Avoid mistakes
Not sure which fee applies to your procedure?
If you are preparing an application for residence, arraigo, a return authorization, an NIE or Spanish citizenship, check the form carefully before paying.
Common mistakes when paying fee 790 052
These are the mistakes most likely to cause problems:
- Paying fee 052 when fee 012 or 026 is actually required.
- Selecting the wrong province.
- Selecting a similar procedure, but not the exact one.
- Using an old form or one saved by someone else.
- Not printing all copies if paying at a bank.
- Not keeping the proof of payment.
- Paying after the stated deadline.
- Not submitting the proof of payment with the application when required.
Video guide to immigration fees
This video provides a practical explanation of how to pay immigration fees and use Form 790:
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Frequently asked questions about fee 790 052
What is fee 790 code 052?
Fee 790 code 052 is an administrative fee used for immigration procedures relating to residence authorizations and other documents for foreign nationals.
How much does fee 790 052 cost?
It depends on the procedure. For example, an initial temporary residence authorization may cost 10,94 €, a temporary residence renewal 16,40 €, residence through arraigo 38,28 €, long-term residence 21,87 €, and a return authorization 10,72 €, according to the official fees in force.
When is fee 790 052 paid?
It is usually paid when the application is submitted or within the deadline set by the Administration. For online procedures, payment can be made while submitting the application electronically.
Where can I pay fee 790 052?
It can be paid online through the Government Administrations’ Electronic Office if you have a digital certificate, an electronic DNI or Cl@ve, or you can print the form and pay it at a participating financial institution.
Can fee 790 052 be used for fingerprinting?
It is not usually the correct fee for fingerprinting or issuing a TIE. For these procedures, Form 790 Code 012, which is used for police procedures involving foreign nationals’ documents, is normally required.
Is the 790 052 fee used for Spanish citizenship applications?
It is not usually the fee for applying for Spanish citizenship by residence. The fee normally used for Spanish citizenship is Form 790 Code 026, administered by the Ministry of Justice.
Who has to pay the 052 fee?
In general, it is paid by the person for whom the authorization or document is being processed. For employed-work authorizations, the employer or business owner may be responsible, depending on the type of procedure.
What happens if I pay the wrong fee?
If you pay the wrong fee, your application may be incomplete or you may be asked to provide missing or corrected documents. In some cases, you will have to pay the correct fee again and request a refund of the fee paid in error.
Final note: Fees may change. Before paying, always check the official form, the province, the selected procedure and the amount generated by the system.
This content is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional legal advice or information provided by the competent authorities.
