You can apply for a new passport, renew your current passport and amend your existing passport through the British Embassy in Madrid .

Emergency passports can also be issued by the Embassy.

To obtain a passport you can either:

·        Apply by post

The relevant forms can be downloaded from the website:

     BRITISH CONSULATE IN SPAIN

The helpline number when calling from Spain is 807 42 90 26.

It’s worth knowing that it is acceptable to use forms printed from the website, you don’t need to collect originals from the Embassy.

Full and clear instructions are also on the website.

The Embassy try to return the new passport within 10 working days, however, it’s advisable to allow plenty of time when applying for a passport.

Applying for your UK passport in Spain or Portugal
On 2 March 2009 the British-Consulate General in Madrid will be introducing interviews for some applicants. This is to:

    * protect your personal identity
    * reduce passport fraud and associated crime
    * prevent illegal entry into the UK
    * enhance the integrity of the UK passport

For further information, please see our section on passport interviews.

The British Consulate-General in Madrid issues full 10-year passports for adults and 5-year passports for under 16s. You should read the guidance on this page, as well as the C1 application form notes and the C2 application form notes, and check your application carefully before submitting it to us. If any of the following requirements are not met, we will not be able to process your application and we will return it to you by courier. You will be charged an extra €16/€21 to cover the additional courier cost. 

Please submit the following:
    * A completed C1 application form (for adults) or C2 application form (for under-16s) (see C1 application form notes or C2 application form notes for guidance on completing the forms).

Please sign the form within the signature box and ensure that the form is countersigned by a person of suitable standing. Include a daytime contact telephone number and your local address in Spain, Portugal or Andorra.

Countersignatories
When you have completed the form, someone who has known you personally for at least two years should complete and sign Section 10.  That person should be a British Citizen, other British national or Commonwealth citizen who is a member of Parliament, Justice of the Peace, Minister of Religion, Bank Officer, Established Civil Servant, or professionally qualified person, e.g. Lawyer, Engineer, Doctor, School Teacher, Police Officer or a person of similar standing.  Procedures include a check on the authenticity of the countersignatories.

If you do not know a British national or other Commonwealth citizen locally with these qualifications, a citizen of the country in which you are residing may complete and sign the form, provided he/she has a similar standing in that country and has known you for two years and the Consul considers his/her signature to be acceptable.  A member of your family should not countersign.  In certain cases you may be asked to produce further documentary evidence of identity.

Your application must include two photographs (see above). One of the two photographs should be signed by the same person who countersigns the application form.  He/she must write on the back of the photograph the words:

“I certify that this is a true likeness of…………….”

And add his/her signature and the date. 

Please stick the unsigned photograph onto the box marked "official use only" on the back page of the application form, as this will be scanned onto your new passport.

If you choose to go to a professional photographer, we advise you to take a copy of the Photo Standards document in the appropriate language. These can be downloaded using the links on the right.

    * Two passport size photos meeting the official passport photo standards, one of which must also be endorsed by the countersignatory

    * Originals of any supporting documents (first-time applicants only)

    * Passport and courier fee.

All applications submitted by post or courier must be paid for by Mastercard or Visa credit and debit cards. Print a copy of our card payment authorisation form, fill in your card details as instructed on the form, and enclose this with your application by post. Visa Electron debit cards issued by Portuguese banks can not be used for postal applications.

Please ensure you have sufficient funds available to pay using your card or your application will be returned to you and you will be charged an extra €4 to cover the additional postage. For applications made in person at the Madrid Consulate-General, we accept cash.

Where to submit your application
By registered post, by courier or in person:

UK Passport Service Iberia
British Consulate-General Madrid
Paseo de Recoletos, 7/9
28004 Madrid, Spain

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 08:30 - 13:30
We aim to process all routine passport applications within ten working days from receipt of a completed and correct application, including the requirements listed above.

We do not offer a fast track service for passports except in the most extreme compassionate circumstances such as a death, accident or serious injury. If this is the case, please mark your travel date on the front of the application form and enclose evidence of your urgent travel needs (eg. a doctor’s letter).

Notes on birth certificates
For applicants in Spain, birth certificates should be certificado literal issued by the Registro Civil.

For applicants in Portugal, birth certificates must be accompanied by the declaração from the hospital which states exactly where the child was born.

For further information, please see our section on birth certificates. We will return all documents submitted in support of your application.

Blue book passports
If you are renewing an old blue book passport, your application will be treated as a first-time application. Please read the information on this page on how to renew your passport.

This information can be found direct here.
 
The helpline number when calling from Spain is 807 42 90 26.