What is the Cita Previa CAIB App?
The Cita Previa CAIB App is the official appointment app of the Balearic Government (Govern de les Illes Balears) for all authorities on Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera. The Spanish term cita previa simply means "prior appointment" - an online reservation. With the app you can book a slot at the authority of your choice in just a few minutes, without queuing in person.
Behind the app stand the Fundacio Bit and the Direccio General de Modernitzacio Digital. It accesses the same booking system as the web portal caib.es/citaprevia. You can therefore use the same services either in a browser or conveniently on your smartphone.
On Mallorca, the Cita Previa is now virtually mandatory in almost all areas. Turning up at an office without an appointment rarely works any more. With the app you save yourself journeys, waiting times and the stress of language barriers.
At a glance
The Cita Previa CAIB app is the official appointment app of the Balearic Government. It replaces the practice of showing up unannounced at an office with an online booking using a QR code, and works on all the Balearic Islands.
Download the app now
When do you need the app?
The Cita Previa CAIB covers a wide range of government appointments across the Balearic Islands. You need it whenever the relevant authority is part of the CAIB - in other words, not a national authority (such as SEPE or Seguridad Social) or a purely municipal one (Ayuntamiento). Here are the most common reasons newcomers to Mallorca need it:
- Conselleria de Salut (Health authority): Registration in the health system (Tarjeta Sanitaria, the Spanish health card), certificates and applications for certain benefits.
- Servei d'Ocupacio de les Illes Balears (SOIB): Appointments at the regional job centre, for example for recognition of qualifications or training courses.
- Conselleria d'Educacio: School place applications, recognition of German school qualifications, scholarships.
- Conselleria d'Habitatge (Housing): Certificates relating to social housing or rent subsidies.
- Tributs (Balearic tax office): Appointments for regionally levied taxes such as inheritance tax or property transfer tax (ITP).
- Atencio a la Ciutadania: General information, certified copies, entries in the civil register.
Even if you want to file a tax return, open a bank account or sort out certificates on Mallorca, a Cita Previa is often the prerequisite for being admitted at all.
Tip: Check the authority before booking
Not every authority on Mallorca belongs to the CAIB. For SEPE (job centre), Seguridad Social (social security), Hacienda (tax office) or the Ayuntamiento you need separate booking portals. Always check in advance whether your matter really falls under the CAIB.
Requirements for the Cita Previa CAIB
To ensure the app booking goes smoothly, you should have a few things ready. A compact overview is in the requirements box further up. Here are a few additional notes:
The app runs on both iPhone (from iOS 13) and modern Android devices. You do not need a powerful computer or a Spanish SIM card. A German mobile number is sufficient in most cases, even if some authorities are more flexible about reminders with Spanish numbers.
For identification, your NIE number (Numero de Identidad de Extranjero - the identification number for foreigners in Spain) is the best option. It is asked for by every authority. If you do not yet have a NIE, you can enter your passport number for the first appointment (which is often precisely the appointment to apply for your NIE).
For smooth communication, at least a passive understanding of Spanish or Catalan helps. The app is not available in English. However, our step-by-step guide below will get you through the process even without language skills.
Step-by-step guide to the Cita Previa
The booking usually takes less than five minutes. Have your NIE or passport to hand and it will go even faster.
Warning: Only one booking per person and matter
Multiple bookings for the same matter are not permitted and can result in all your appointments being cancelled. Book only one single appointment per person and process.
Tips and common mistakes
From practical experience on Mallorca, here are a few insights that save you time and frustration.
Tip: Early appointments in Palma are the most popular
Appointments in Palma de Mallorca, especially in the early morning hours, are often booked up weeks in advance. Also check slots in Manacor, Inca or Felanitx. The smaller branch offices usually have significantly more availability.
Mistake: Selecting the wrong authority
If you book the wrong service, you are often turned away at the appointment and have to rebook. Read the service description in the app carefully and, if in doubt, check the website of the relevant Conselleria.
Tip: Add the appointment to your calendar
Transfer the appointment directly into your smartphone calendar, ideally with a reminder the day before. This way you will not forget the visit and will arrive on time. Being more than 10 minutes late often leads to cancellation.
Mistake: NIE and name do not match
Make sure the spelling of your name matches exactly the entry on your NIE or passport. Even a missing hyphen or a forgotten second given name can cause a problem at check-in.
Install the Cita Previa CAIB App now
If you regularly deal with authorities on Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza or Formentera, the app is virtually essential. It is free and requires only a few megabytes of storage.