The number that identifies you in the Spanish Social Security system
Anyone who works in Spain, or receives a pension or benefit, needs a Social Security number (número de la Seguridad Social). When you start a job, your employer is normally the one who requests it for you. You may already have one from earlier work or school insurance, so check before asking for another. Local offices of the Tesorería General de la Seguridad Social, the TGSS, give guidance in person.
How it works
Get a social security number or register for social insurance.
You usually need a social security number before you start work, and your employer often uses it to register you. Self-employed people normally register themselves. Depending on the country, you apply to the social security office yourself or the number is linked to your address registration. Bring your passport or ID and, if you have them, your employment contract or business registration. A social security number does not by itself give you health cover or benefits; those may need separate applications.
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At a glance
Larger cities often have more than one TGSS branch
You can often start online, and a branch helps in person if you cannot. Whether a branch sees you without an appointment is for that branch to decide, and the Social Security number alone does not register a job or give you healthcare.
Guides
Related services
Who to ask when money runs short, what a social worker can do and which centre covers your neighbourhood.
Which logins Spanish authorities accept, which steps need a visit, and where offices help you set up or recover yours.
Work out which report fits your application, whether your region or town hall issues it and which office to approach.
Which kind of proof of registration you can get, who can ask for it and how to pick the office in your city.
How registering with your regional employment service works, what to keep up afterwards and which office covers your home.
See why registering at your town hall matters, who should do it and what offices usually ask you to bring.
Other countries
Moving on, or comparing before you decide? See how this works elsewhere.
Most offices in Warsaw, Kraków, and Bydgoszcz
Most offices in Berlin, Bochum, and Duisburg
Most offices in Aalst, Antwerp, and Bruges
Where to next
Which TGSS offices deal with new Social Security numbers, whether you can walk in or need to book, and what to bring.
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