rafikiphoto

The time will soon be here when my wife will need to renew her Dutch passport. I have found the website and it looks like a couple of trips to Madrid will be necessary. I'm wondering if there are any other Dutch nationals on here who have renewed their passports from Spain recently and can answer a practical question or two?

Casa Santo Estevo

My wife is Dutch. She done hers 4 years ago. Yes we went to Madrid.
You can has us here or for more up to date information look at the Dutch expats form.
http://www.spanjeforum.nl/

rafikiphoto

Thanks. We renewed it in London last time and they were ultra fussy about the photo. I had taken the printed instructions to our local photographer but the embassy didn't like the background. Fortunately there was a photo shop nearby which had been approved by the embassy and we popped in there and got them done immediately - for 3 times the cost of our local chap! So I am wondering if there is a similar arrangement close to the embassy in Madrid. I'll check on the forum you mention.

Casa Santo Estevo

We also took a copy of the photo instructions (which are in Spanish) to photo shop we used to use a lot.
They were very professional. The ensured everything was exactly how it was laid out in the instructions. Measured the size of the head on the photo; the size of the photo; changed the colour of the background. It was a bit of a pain for them, but they took it with good humour.
I think if we can find a small photography shop, in a small Galician village to take the photos, then you should do.
So we did not need to ask about a local photography shop.
Getting into the embassy is a pain, a lot of security. It is located out of the city centre but right next to a metro station. Begin near the top of the tower there are some impressive views.
There was talk of ending the requirement for fingerprints. That obviously has not happened yet.