Argot de ventanilla: 4 frases para sobrevivir al papeleo

Real-life Spanish admin slang in Spain: 4 useful expressions for the “ventanilla” (the service counter). Clear Spanish and examples so you don’t put your foot in it. (Short glosses in English in brackets.)

papeleo = all the documents and admin procedures. Example: “Hay mucho papeleo para la TIE” (“There’s a lot of paperwork for the TIE”). (paperwork)

me dieron largas = they kept delaying me without solving anything. Colloquial. Use it with friends/colleagues, not in a formal written text. Example: “Llamé y me dieron largas otra vez” (“I called and they put me off again”). (to stall / to string someone along)

estar en lista de espera = the procedure is pending; you’re waiting for your turn. Example: “Para la cita del NIE estoy en lista de espera” (“For the NIE appointment I’m on the waiting list”). (to be on a waiting list)

subsanar = to correct an error or provide what is missing. Formal. Example: “Tiene 10 días para subsanar la solicitud” (“You have 10 days to correct/complement your application”). (to remedy / to correct deficiencies)

Key points: almost everything works by appointment (“cita previa”) and don’t leave without your “resguardo” (receipt/proof of submission). Useful phrases: “¿Me podría decir si falta algo?” (“Could you tell me if anything is missing?”) “Muchas gracias por su ayuda” (“Thank you very much for your help”).