Month 1
Time
10 min online · days for the reply
Cost
Free
Difficulty
Easy
EU vs non-EU
EU/EEA: Passport/ID plus your NIE certificate is enough. Apply online via Import@ss or let your employer request it with your contract.
Non-EU: You'll need your NIE/TIE or the visa that authorises you to work. If an employer is hiring you, their gestoría handles it routinely. Ask before doing anything yourself.
What to bring
Passport or EU ID
NIE
Not needed: The padrón. Helpful for other things, not required for the NUSS itself
Your options
Import@ss portal (online)
The official online request
Free
portal.seg-social.gob.es. Works with Cl@ve or even video-identification with your passport. The number arrives as a PDF.
Your employer's gestoría
Easiest if you're being hired
Free
Spanish payroll firms request NUSS numbers every week. Confirm they're doing it, then just save the number they send you.
TGSS office (in person)
The cita previa route
Free
Form TA.1 plus originals at a Tesorería office. Only worth it if the online identification fails. And you'll need to win a cita first.
Prices checked June 2026
Do it
- 1
Check if your employer handles it
If you have a job lined up, HR or their gestoría usually requests the NUSS with your contract. Done — skip the rest.
- 2
Apply on Import@ss
Choose "Solicitar el número de la Seguridad Social" — identify with Cl@ve or video-ID, upload passport and NIE, submit.
- 3
Save the PDF
No card, just a document with your number. It goes in the same folder as your NIE and padrón — the trio gets asked for together.
- 4
Register on Import@ss properly
Once you have the number, set up your account. You'll use it later for work-life reports, sick leave, and (if freelancing) your RETA registration.
Words you'll hear
NUSS
Your social security number. Required before any work, employed or freelance.
Read more
Taxes in Spain: the expat basics
Full guide · 6 min read
Full checklist tracking and task completion live in the Settli app for Barcelona.