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Spanish B1.45.2 The appointment system

Appointments in advance are essential in Spanish bureaucracy.

Cultura: La cita previa

La cita previa es esencial en la burocracia española.

Spanish B1.45.2 The appointment system

B1 Spanish State structure Spain

Level: B1

Module 6: Vivir en el extranjero (Living abroad)

Lesson 45: Gestión de la burocracia (Handling bureaucracy)

Teaching guidelines +/- 10 minutes

Audio and video

Audio
Audio
Audio with translations

Reading and listening exercise

En España, la cita previa es muy importante para hacer trámites oficiales. Desde renovar el DNI hasta solicitar un visado o pedir una cita en el consulado, todo requiere organizar una cita antes de ir. Esto evita largas colas y asegura que el funcionario pueda atenderte correctamente. Para algunos trámites, como el DNI o el pasaporte, debes entrar en una página web oficial de un ayuntamiento y solicitar la cita con días de antelación. Las citas previas no solo son para documentos, también para algunos servicios de salud o administrativos. Aunque a veces la burocracia pueda ser lenta, la cita previa ayuda a agilizar el proceso.

Translation

In Spain, making an appointment in advance is very important for official procedures. From renewing the DNI to applying for a visa or requesting an appointment at the consulate, everything requires organizing an appointment before going. This avoids long queues and ensures that the official can assist you correctly. For some procedures, like the DNI or the passport, you need to access an official website of a town hall and request the appointment days in advance. Making an appointment is not only for documents, but also for some health or administrative services. Although sometimes bureaucracy can be slow, making an appointment helps to speed up the process.

Exercise 1: Discussion questions

Instruction: Discuss the questions after listening to the audio or reading through the text.

  1. ¿Cómo se pide una cita previa en tu país?
  2. How do you book an appointment in your country?
  3. ¿Necesitas los mismos documentos que en España?
  4. Do you need the same documents as in Spain?

Useful websites to study with your teacher

Discuss and read the following resources during your conversation classes.

  1. https://www.valencia.es/cas/tramites/cita-previa