What Is the Spanish Social Security Number?
The Spanish social security number is a unique identifier assigned by the Tesorería General de la Seguridad Social (TGSS). It's separate from your NIE number, though both are commonly required in Spain. Once assigned, your social security number stays with you permanently.
You'll need it to: start employed work in Spain, register as self-employed (autónomo), access the Spanish public health system, and contribute to the Spanish pension system.
Who Can Apply?
Anyone who is legally resident in Spain and working, or about to start work, can apply for a social security number. This includes both EU and non-EU citizens with valid residence permits. Your employer may apply on your behalf when you start a job.
How to Apply: The Process
You can apply at your local Tesorería General de la Seguridad Social (TGSS) office, or sometimes online. Here's what you'll need:
- Valid passport or national ID card
- Your NIE number
- Completed TA.1 form (available from the TGSS website)
- For employees: a letter from your employer or your employment contract
- For self-employed: registration as autónomo (or intention to register)
In many cases, your employer will arrange your social security registration when you start a job. However, it's useful to understand the process so you can follow up if needed.
Social Security and Healthcare Access
Contributing to the Spanish social security system gives you access to Spain's public healthcare system. Once you're registered and contributing (or have a family member who is), you can obtain a SIP card (Sistema de Información Poblacional) from your local health centre (centro de salud), which gives you access to a GP, specialist referrals, and hospital treatment.
Non-working residents — such as NLV holders — are not entitled to public healthcare via the social security system and must maintain private health insurance instead.
Self-Employed (Autónomo) Registration
If you're self-employed in Spain, you register as autónomo through the Agencia Tributaria (AEAT) and the TGSS simultaneously. This involves obtaining your social security number, making monthly autónomo contributions (the minimum monthly payment in 2026 is approximately €230–€290 depending on income), and filing quarterly tax returns.
Registration as autónomo is also a requirement for Digital Nomad Visa holders who are self-employed — you must register and demonstrate contributions as part of the visa process.
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