How to: Obtain a Social Security Number in Spain

Once you’ve been issued with an NIE, you need to apply for a Número de la Seguridad Social (Social Security Number) in order to legally work in Spain. This number will entitle you to unemployment benefits, maternity leave, retirement and free medical care (except in private health clinics/hospitals) depending on what you’ve contributed to the system throughout your working life in Spain.

Who’s entitled?

Whether you’re self-employed (Autonomo) or working for a company and a citizen of the EU, you’ll be entitled to a Social security Number and the all the relevant benefits if you become unemployed.  
Get your number

If you’re self-employed, you’ll need to go to your local Oficina de Seguridad Social and fill in the relevant paperwork, provided you speak good Spanish! If you don’t, then it’s advisable to get a lawyer of gestor to help you with this.

If you’re going to work for someone else, your new employer needs to request a Social Security Number for you by presenting the following documents to the local Tesorería General de la Seguridad Social:

* TA1 Application Form
* Your NIE Certificate
* Your Residency Certificate or Passport

Once your application has been submitted, you’ll receive a Certificate of Registration (Documento de Afiliación) and a registration number.
When things go wrong

If you’re made redundant or you stop working for any other reason, you must notify the Tesorería General de la Seguridad Social as soon as possible so that you can claim your contributions back, provided you’ve been working in Spain 6 months or longer.

The Social Security Office is located at:

Plaza de Leganitos, 5 Marbella

Tel: +34 - 952 77 15 99