Social Security Number In Spain: Expats Guide
In this article, we embark on an enlightening journey to understand the intricacies of Spain’s Social Security Number – an essential aspect of living and working as an expat in this captivating country.
From the significance of this unique identifier to the process of obtaining one, we’ve got you covered with up-to-date information to ensure you navigate the Spanish bureaucracy with ease.
What Is The Social Security Number In Spain?
The Social Security Number or Número de Seguridad Social (SSN) is a number issued to you by the Spanish government whenever you undertake any paid work in Spain, including all sorts of businesses and self-employment.
Once this number has been issued to you, it will remain yours for life and will not expire. You will also then become a part of the tax net and social security system.
This will entitle you to two kinds of benefits: contributory and non-contributory.
Contributory benefits are for those who have been making the minimum amount of contributions to the system from their earnings. These include pensions after retirement, family benefits, maternity and paternity benefits, sickness and invalidity benefits as well as unemployment cover.
Non-contributory benefits are for everyone who faces a need and falls below the income threshold. To avail these benefits, you need not have necessarily made any contributions to the system.
Or even if you have made contributions but miss out on some other criterion in the contributory system, you can receive benefits through the non-contributory channel.
The benefits under this include medical assistance, allowances for disabilities, retirement and unemployment benefits, family allowances and non-contributory maternity allowance.
Bear in mind that if you are a foreigner, you can only get the social security number if you have a work permit i.e. a right to work in Spain. If you do not have the documentation to prove this, you will not be issued the number.
Moreover, any changes to your employment status e.g. if you change jobs or become unemployed, will affect your insurance status too.
Periods that an individual is working and making contributions are referred to as ‘altas’ while those when a person is not working are called ‘bajas’.
Are The Social Security Number And Social Insurance Number The Same In Spain?
Yes, these are the same. The social security number is in fact referred to by many names in different places.
Some of the most popular ones include Numero de Afiliacion de la Seguridad Social, Numero de Afilicacion de Seguridad Social (NAF) and Numero de Usario de Seguridad Social (NUSS).
So don’t be confused; all of these names refer to the same identifier.
How To Get Your Spanish Social Security Number?
Generally, if you wish to conduct any sort of work within the country, you will need a social security number. So if you are engaging in paid employment, self-employment, are running a business yourself or are a partner, are working as a paid intern or as a civil servant, you will need this number.
Getting a social security number is a pre-requisite if you are to be legally employed by a company. But the good news is that the employer is legally required to apply on your behalf so you don’t need to trouble yourself a lot with the details.
If you are working as a self-employed individual however, you will need to apply yourself.
Generally, information available online is limited and official resources can get a little complicated to follow, especially if you do not speak Spanish. But fear not, this guide puts together all that information so you have a good starting point.
The fastest way to apply is online, but you can also complete the process in person.
Online
You will need a digital certificate or clave if you are planning on applying online. This is not mandatory to get, but it is used a lot in Spanish administrative processes so getting one will pay off in the long run.
A digital certificate is basically an electronic ID that will allow you to carry out the necessary administrative processes from your computer.
If you do not have a digital certificate, you will need to use a different link for your application that will require you to upload a copy of your NIE instead, to ensure authenticity.
You will need to fill out the Modelo TA-1 form and submit the necessary documents alongside it. You will need your valid identity card or passport, your TIE or a residency card that has your NIE number.
Apart from this, you will also need your residency certificate (padron), work or residency visa if you are not a Spanish national and your employment contract. The process after this is fairly quick and you should expect to receive your social security number within 24 hours.
In-person
To apply in person as well, you will need to complete the TA-1 form first. Then you will need to make an appointment (Cita Previa) at the Social Security (TGSS – Tesorieria General de la Seguridad Social) office that is closest to you.
At the appointment, you will need to present the same documents as above i.e. identification documents, TIE, NIE, residence certificate, work visa and employment contract and self-employment details if that applies. In this case, your social security number will be issued to you during the appointment itself.
You will need to consider several things if you will be visiting the office yourself. The offices mostly have workers who speak Spanish only, which means you will not find English speaking staff.
So take along someone fluent in the language if you do not speak Spanish yourself. Moreover, most of these offices are open only from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. meaning that the window to get your work done is fairly short.
So you should make sure you reach the office early so that your application is processed timely. You should also have a working Spanish mobile phone number since the authorities will use this to validate the application.
What Does The Social Security Number In Spain Look Like?
The Spanish social security number has 11 to 12 digits. It can be divided into three parts, which are separated by forward slashes.
The first two digits represent the registration province. For instance Madrid has the code 28 while Barcelona has a province code 08.
The next eight digits represent citizens in each province. The last two digits are deduced from the first two parts and are used for control purposes.
Where Can You Find Your Spanish Social Security Number?
If you would like to know your social security number (or have forgotten it!), there are several ways you can find it. One option is to use the official website for accreditation, where you can see the number on your screen once you log in with your credentials.
There are also several official documents where this number appears, including your Spanish health card, work history report and any employment contracts you sign in Spain.
Conclusion
As we conclude our exploration into Spain’s Social Security Number, we hope you’re now well-equipped to handle the intricacies of this vital identification in 2023.
Remember, obtaining your Social Security Number is a key step towards accessing a wide array of benefits and services while living in Spain.
Whether you’re planning to work, study, or retire here, understanding the “what,” “why,” and “how” is crucial for a smooth and enriching expat life.
Welcome to Spain!
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