⚠️ Draft under verification
We are checking every fact in this guide against official sources. Amounts or deadlines may still be pending confirmation: always double-check the official links at the end.
Renewing a Chinese passport in Spain: the 中国领事 app, step by step
Since 2024 the process is "online + in person": apply through the China Consular app, book a slot, and give fingerprints in Madrid or Barcelona.
Updated: July 6, 2026
All Chinese passport procedures in Spain go through the official 中国领事 ("China Consular") app — the old web appointment system was retired. Since 18 July 2024 the model is "online + counter": applicants aged 16+ apply in the app and, after initial approval, attend IN PERSON at the embassy or consulate to hand in materials, give fingerprints and have their photo taken.
Mind the jurisdiction: residents of Catalonia belong to the Consulate General in Barcelona; the rest of Spain (and Andorra) to the Embassy in Madrid.
Key facts
- Single channel
- 中国领事 app (China Consular) — register with any email or a Chinese mobile
- Jurisdiction
- Catalonia → Barcelona Consulate · rest of Spain and Andorra → Madrid Embassy
- In-person required
- Aged 16+: hand in materials + fingerprints + photo at the office
- Exempt from attending
- Under 16; people with genuine difficulty (elderly, ill, pregnant…); residents of the Balearic and Canary Islands
- Payment
- Online (WeChat Pay) or at the office: card, WeChat or Alipay — NO cash
- Indicative timeline
- ≈ 15 working days after handing in materials
Step by step
- 1
Download and verify the 中国领事 app
Search "中国领事" on the App Store or Chinese Android stores (Tencent, Huawei, Xiaomi). Register with any email or a Chinese mobile number and complete real-name verification (实名认证) — with your own name and passport number, or those of an already-verified family member.
- 2
Create the passport application
In the app choose "护照/旅行证" (passport/travel document), select your office (Madrid Embassy or Barcelona Consulate according to residence), the procedure type (颁发 first issuance / 换发 renewal / 补发 replacement for loss) and fill in your details. Sign the nationality declaration (国籍状况声明书) on screen.
- 3
Upload the photo and materials
The ID photo is uploaded digitally (have it taken at a professional studio: white background, no light-coloured clothing, face fully visible — the in-app camera gets many rejections). Attach your current passport, Spanish residence card and whatever your case requires, in JPG/PNG.
- 4
Track the review and respond
The office reviews your order in the app: watch "我的订单" (my orders) and the message centre in case they ask for corrections. In some cases (minors, replacements, failed facial recognition) they will schedule a verification video call.
- 5
Book your slot and attend in person
Once the initial review passes, the app lets you book a date and time. Go to the office (Madrid or Barcelona) with your original documents: you will hand in materials, give fingerprints and complete the in-person photo/verification.
- 6
Pay and choose how to receive the passport
Pay online (WeChat Pay) or at the office by card, WeChat or Alipay — cash is not accepted. Collection: at the counter once the app marks the passport ready, or by post where your case allows it (postal delivery requires online payment).
💡 Tips
- Early renewal: if your passport has less than 1 year left, or you are out of visa pages, you can already apply for renewal (换发), explaining it in the application.
- Residents of the Balearic or Canary Islands: when creating the order, write in "其他想对使馆说的话" the text "申请线上办理（原因：居住在巴利阿里/加那利群岛）" to process without travelling.
- Madrid Embassy enquiries: +34 913 206 181, weekdays 9:30–11:30; email madrid_hz@csm.mfa.gov.cn.
- If the app misbehaves (order will not submit, crashes), the first official recommendation is to reinstall and update to the latest version.
⚠️ Watch out for
- Distrust any "embassy call" demanding payment by phone or video: the embassy does NOT charge that way. It is the most common phone scam targeting the Chinese community.
- If you lose your passport and request an emergency travel document, the old passport is CANCELLED as soon as it is processed: even if it turns up later, it can no longer be used.
- The passport name uses Chinese characters + standard pinyin (surname first, given name without spaces). A foreign name can only appear as an annotation (加注) on the remarks page.
FAQ
Can I do everything online without going to Madrid/Barcelona?
If you are 16 or older, no: since July 2024 handing in materials, fingerprints and the photo are in person. Exceptions: under-16s, people with justified difficulty, and residents of the Balearics/Canaries, who may request online processing.
I live in Valencia — Madrid or Barcelona?
Madrid. Only Catalonia belongs to the Barcelona Consulate; the rest of Spain and Andorra process with the Embassy in Madrid.
How long does it take and how much is it?
Roughly 15 working days from handing in materials. The amount shows in the app per procedure: check it there and in the official notices, and remember the offices take no cash.
Both my passport AND my Spanish residence card are expired — can I apply?
Yes: "double expiry" cases are also filed through the app; complete the application and the office will guide you through the order messages.
Handy for this procedure…
Sources and links
- 中国驻西班牙大使馆 — 普通护照颁发、换发、补发Official
- 中国驻巴塞罗那总领馆 — 护照办理须知（2025年7月更新）Official
- 中国驻西班牙大使馆 — "中国领事"APP常见问题Official
- 中国领事服务网 — 护照/旅行证Official
This guide is informational and does not constitute legal advice. Requirements, fees and deadlines can change: always confirm in the linked official sources.