Viewpoint: Blind date with TIE card

We used Mallorca Solutions and it was so easy, quick and not expensive. No time wasting. However Luke I had the same words said to me by the Doctor at the health centre ....you are in Spain , speak Spanish! This was when I was trying to out sort out my husbands treatment for cancer. So awful. I have always said racism is alive and well in Mallorca ... however I still prefer to live here

You were lucky I had much worse experience. I had to go several times in my rented car from Alcudia . Each time me and my translator friend took a half day off work. To book each appointment I tried for weeks several times a day and only then would be able to book one. This is what happened on my dates with the Spanish bureaucrats: 1st Appointment: My early July appointment was cancelled without any notice due to new TIE rules coming in force. And told on the door appointment was cancelled. 2nd Appointment: I was sent away for my bad that I didn’t have a document with me. 3rd Appointment: Finally I managed to submit application by that time new “Brexit” team was in place. Lady was friendly and helpful. I got a letter in Mid September asking me to book an appointment for fingerprints. Oh boy took me two fun weeks of trying to book the earliest available one at end of November. 4th Appointment: Upon arrival I joined a long queue outside and then I was pointed to another queue inside which 15 minutes later turned out to be the wrong one. Joined the Brexit queue waiting another half hour. Arrived at the desk and was told by the gentleman that I have booked wrong appointment and I have to back and book another one. I don't speak much Spanish so he brought me out to a security guard who speak good english. I was told to go home and waste another two months to book the "correct" appointment. I checked my letter and realised I have the appointment I was told book on the letter. Despite this being there in black and white they were adamant that I have to book another appointment. I refused to leave and meanwhile the lady that was ahead of me in the que came out and advised me to go to the other desk in Brexit team. I apologised to the people in queue and barged in the room. This lady listened and said yes not your fault we can take your fingerprints. She processed my fingerprints and printed on the letter to book an appointment after 15th Jan. 5th Appointment After more fun of booking the late January appointment. I arrived waited for 15 minutes in a queue and turned away by a police officer on the door saying my card hasn't arrived yet. And this is almost two months of my fingerprints appointment. He didn't even bother asking me my name. I stood my ground and asked how does he know my card is not without checking. He wouldn't listen. I asked him that I have spent money and time to get here why no one bothered sending me a message an email or a phone call to let me know. Here is the climax of the story I write his response with crossed arms and aloof "You are in Spain now!" I was ashamed to hear that from a uniformed officer wearing his country's badge uttering these words. Well I had nothing to say after that I left. 6th Appointment You guessed it right after fun of playing book an appointment lottery on the extranjeria's website I arrived for my appointment in mid March. Same officer standing on the door asks me where is my fingerprints letter. I told him I don't need that I have my appointment that asks me to bring my passport. He told me I can't pick up my card without it. I insisted on going in. I think he remembered me so to avoid an argument he let me in. On the desk no one asked me for the fingerprints letter. I was given my card after 8.5 months. So, you got away lightly! Appointment system could easily give you next available date whenever it is. That will people so much disappointment. Every time you go through those three stage form and told "No Disponible!" It's like a punch in the face. With all it's resources and beautiful people, this country could be something. It's bureaucracy does not believe in serving it's people.