Spanish System
Social security number in Spain: how to get your NUSS
What the Spanish Social Security number (NUSS) is, who requests it, and how to apply online through Import@ss with or without a digital certificate.
Updated: October 2026
If you are going to work in Spain, become self-employed or use public services linked to Social Security, you need a Social Security number, known as the NUSS. This guide is for newcomers who have just arrived or are about to start a job. It explains what the number is, how to check whether you already have one, who should apply for it and how to request it online, step by step.
What the NUSS is – and what it is not
The Número de la Seguridad Social (NUSS) is the number the Spanish Social Security system uses to identify you. It is issued by the Tesorería General de la Seguridad Social (TGSS) and stays with you for life, whatever job or region you move to.
- NUSS and NAF are the same number. The first time you start work that brings you into the system – as an employee, self-employed or in another scheme – your NUSS becomes your Número de Afiliación (NAF). Payslips and contracts often show it under that name.
- It is not your NIE. The NIE is your foreigner identification and tax number. You normally need the NIE (or at least your passport) to get the NUSS.
- It is not your health card. Your regional health service uses your Social Security details to issue the tarjeta sanitaria, but the card is a separate step – see our guide to healthcare for foreign residents.
You need the NUSS to be registered as an employee or employer, to work as an autónomo, to claim benefits and, later, to receive a pension.
Check first: you may already have one
Do not request a second number. You may already have a NUSS if you have worked in Spain before, did an internship here, or studied in Spain under 28 (students in official courses from 3º ESO upwards are covered by the student insurance, Seguro Escolar). Ways to check:
- Look at an old payslip (nómina) or employment contract.
- Download your informe de vida laboral (employment record) from Import@ss.
- Use the Import@ss service “Acreditación del Número de la Seguridad Social”, which shows the number and lets you download a PDF certificate.
Who applies: you or your employer?
| Your situation | Who requests the NUSS |
|---|---|
| New job as an employee | Usually the employer (or its payroll adviser), using form TA.1 signed by you and a copy of your NIE |
| Starting as self-employed (autónomo) | You, before registering as self-employed |
| Student doing an internship | The university, school or company, if you do not already have one |
| Child or dependant | A parent, guardian or legal tutor on their behalf |
| Anyone else who needs it | You, online or at a Social Security office |
Even if your employer will handle it, many people prefer to request the number themselves as soon as they have their NIE. It saves time on the first day and avoids payroll delays.
How to apply online through Import@ss
Import@ss is the TGSS online portal. The service is called “Solicitar el Número de la Seguridad Social” and anyone without an assigned number can use it at any time. Applying is free.
With electronic identification
If you already have Cl@ve (Permanente or Móvil), a digital certificate or a Spanish electronic DNI, log in with it – this is the fastest route. Once the number is assigned, a resolution is issued that you can print. Our guide to the digital certificate and Cl@ve explains how to get these. Note that SMS login only works if your phone number is already registered with Social Security, so it is rarely an option for first-time applicants.
Without electronic identification
Most newcomers do not have Cl@ve yet, and that is fine. You can apply by uploading your documents and a selfie:
- Download and fill in form TA.1 from the Social Security website (it is recommended before you start). Tick the option to be assigned a Social Security number.
- Open the Import@ss service “Solicitar el Número de la Seguridad Social” and choose the option for applicants without Cl@ve or a certificate.
- Enter your details: name exactly as in your passport or NIE document, NIE, mobile number, email address and your usual address in Spain.
- Upload your identity document: photos of both sides of your NIE document (or your passport if you do not have an NIE yet).
- Take a selfie holding the front of your ID document, using a device with a camera.
- Submit and keep the receipt. Watch your email for the outcome – many people hear back within a few days, but it can take longer at busy times.
Applying for a child
A parent, guardian or legal tutor submits the application with their own ID and selfie, a TA.1 form completed with the child’s details, a photo of the child’s ID document, and the Libro de Familia or another document proving parental authority or guardianship. Emancipated minors apply themselves and add proof of emancipation.
Applying in person
If you cannot apply online, you can ask at a TGSS office (Administración de la Seguridad Social). You will need a cita previa (appointment), which can be booked on the Social Security website or app. Bring the completed TA.1 form, your NIE document or TIE, your passport and copies. Appointments can be scarce in big cities, so the online route is usually quicker.
Tips for foreigners
- No NIE yet? The number can be linked to your passport. Once you get your NIE, update your personal data in Import@ss so your records match your tax and health files. See how to get your NIE.
- Spell your name consistently. Use exactly the same spelling and order of surnames as on your NIE document to avoid mismatches later.
- Keep your address up to date in the “Datos personales” section of Import@ss, so official letters reach you.
- It is free. Be wary of websites that charge to “process” a NUSS – unless you are deliberately paying a gestor for help.
- Next steps: once you work, register with your health centre and check your contract and salary – our work visa and permit guide and job market overview can help.
Useful links
- Import@ss – request your Social Security number (Spanish)
- Import@ss – check an existing Social Security number (Spanish)
- Revista Seguridad Social – how to get the NUSS (Spanish)
- Healthcare in Spain for foreign residents
- Residency in Spain: step by step
FAQ: Social Security number
Is the Social Security number the same as the NIE?
No. The NIE identifies you as a foreigner and for tax, while the NUSS identifies you within the Social Security system. Most people need both.
How much does it cost to get a NUSS?
Nothing. Requesting the number from Social Security is free, online or in person.
Does my Social Security number ever expire?
No. It is assigned once and stays with you for life, even if you leave Spain and come back years later.
I am retired and will not work in Spain. Do I need one?
You may not need to request it yourself, but Social Security details are used when you register for public healthcare. Ask when you apply for healthcare cover and follow the instructions you are given.
Disclaimer: This article is general information only and is not legal advice. Social Security procedures can change – always check the official Seguridad Social website before you act, and ask a gestor or lawyer if your case is unusual.
