MémoriaIn this guide
Why this should be your first step
Against all expectations, the Spanish administration is one of the most advanced in Europe when it comes to doing things online. Almost everything can be done remotely: tax, social security, the land registry (catastro), the DGT, the town hall. On one condition: you need to be able to prove who you are digitally.
Without a digital certificate, every single procedure means hunting for an appointment, travelling to an office and queuing. With one, most of them take a few minutes from your sofa.
It is the best return on time of your entire move. Half a day of effort now will save you dozens later.
Cl@ve and the digital certificate: what's the difference?
The two systems exist side by side and complement each other:
| Cl@ve | Digital certificate | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | An identification system using a code sent to your mobile | A file installed on your device |
| What it's for | Checking your records, everyday procedures | Everything, including electronic signatures |
| Portability | Works from any device | Tied to the device, unless you export it |
| Reach | Enough for day-to-day use | Accepted everywhere, without exception |
The sensible approach: get both. Cl@ve for everyday convenience, the certificate for the procedures that require it and for signing documents electronically.
The FNMT procedure, step by step
The certificate is issued by the FNMT (Fábrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbre, the Spanish Royal Mint, which also acts as a certification authority). There are three steps, and they must be done in this order.
1. Request your code
On the FNMT website, fill in the application form with your NIE or DNI. You will receive an application code by email. Keep it somewhere safe.
2. Verify your identity in person
Next, you need to go in person to a registration office — tax agency branches, social security offices, some town halls — with your code and your ID. An appointment is usually required.
This step cannot be delegated: it is your identity that is being certified. There is, however, an alternative for people who cannot get to an office: video identification, offered by the FNMT for an additional fee.
3. Download the certificate
A few hours after verification, go back to the FNMT website to download and install your certificate.
The mistake that forces you to start again
The application and the download must be done on the same computer, in the same browser. Don't clear your cache between the two steps, don't switch machines, and don't use private or incognito browsing.
This is by far the most common mistake. It means starting the whole procedure again from scratch, in-person verification included.
Backing up your certificate: the step everyone forgets
Once installed, the certificate lives in your browser's certificate store. If your computer breaks down, is stolen or gets reset, your certificate disappears with it — and you have to do everything again.
The fix takes two minutes: export the certificate to a password-protected .p12 (or .pfx) file. That file is a complete copy of your digital identity; you can reinstall it on any device, including your phone.
Two precautions:
- keep the file in a password manager, not in a shared folder;
- the file and its password allow someone to sign in your name. Treat them as you would your handwritten signature.
What you can do next
Once you are set up, most of Spanish bureaucracy opens up remotely:
- apply for your social security number online, without an appointment;
- view and download your official certificates and records whenever you need them;
- access your actual electricity consumption data, which lets you fine-tune your contract properly (see our guide to electricity, gas and water in Madrid);
- file returns, submit claims and sign documents electronically;
- and, if you wish, electronically appoint a representative authorised to act on your behalf for certain procedures, without going through a notary.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be a resident to get a certificate?
You need an NIE or a DNI. Residence is not in itself the requirement; identification is.
Does the certificate expire?
Yes, it is valid for a limited period and has to be renewed. Renewal can usually be done online if you do it before it expires — so make a note of the date. Once it has lapsed, you often have to go through the in-person verification again.
Can I install it on more than one device?
Yes, using the exported .p12 file. In fact it is recommended: your computer and your phone.
Would you rather we handled it?
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Book a free call Relocating an employee?Guide updated on 21 October 2026 — Spanish administrative rules change; check the critical points before acting.