In March 2009, the British-Consulate General in Madrid introduced interviews as part of the application process for some applicants.


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 form notes and the C2 form notes. Please 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 €13.25/€20 to cover the additional courier cost.

Please submit the following:

• a completed C1 form (for adults) or C2 form (for under-16s) (see C1 form notes or C2 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

• 2 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/courier must be paid for by Mastercard or Visa credit/debit cards. Print out and complete the credit card payment 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
Torre Espacio
Paseo de la Castellana 259D
28046 Madrid

Opening hours: Mon to Fri, 08:30 - 13:30

We aim to process all routine passport applications within 10 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 date of travel on the front of your application form and enclose evidence of your urgent travel needs (eg. a doctor’s letter).

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 bookpassport, your application will be treated as a first-time application. Please read the information on this page on how to apply for a passport.

Applying for a passport in the UK

The Identity and Passport Service (IPS) deals with all passport applications for UK residents living in Britain. However, if you are resident overseas, but are visiting the UK, you can also renew your passport during your trip. To renew your passport while you are in the UK, you need to make an appointment to do this in person with the Identity and Passport Services (IPS). You also need to provide the IPS with a residential address in the UK so they can post your passport to you. You will have to be available to that address to sign for the passport when it is sent to you.

Gratis passports

People born on or before 2 September 1929 are eligible for free UK passports. They must be use the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) application form to apply for this passport. These forms are available from your local embassy, consulate or high commission.