The Digital Certificate or Certificado Digital in Spanish, is an electronic ID that enables you to manage a wide range of administrative processes from your own computer. The Digital Certificate is needed not only to register as Autónomo (self-employed), but also to register your documents when applying for your TIE, making tax declarations and joining the Social Security system, among other things.
You download it onto your computer, mobile phone or tablet, which you can then use to receive notifications, make tax payments etc. in a secure way. You can also share it with your appointed representative, such as your accountant, in order to make transactions on your behalf.
This guide is designed to help you manage the process step by step.
The certificate lasts for four years and the first renewal can be made on line here. The certificate has to be renewed within 60 days of expiry. Once you have renewed once, you have to prove your identity again as detailed below.
*You need a NIE (Foreigners Identity number) to apply for a Digital Certificate. (See other guides below)
How to obtain the Digital Certificate
You can check with your local Ayuntamiento to see if they offer a Digital Certificate service. This is the most straightforward approach if they do. Simply attend the appointment with your proof of identity and your smartphone and they will complete the application for you and send you email instructions for downloading the certificate to your PC when you return home. It is usually immediate.
Alternatively:
1. Download the software
The FNMT (Spanish Royal Mint) provides software that enables you use any browser on your device. You have to select and download the appropriate browser software depending on which system you are using (Windows, MacOS or Linux). Download it from this website.
After downloading the software, follow the installation process. Once installed, the software activates automatically.
2. Applying for the Digital Certificate
You can apply for a Software Certificate from the Sede Electrónica website. On the site, click on the link "SOLICITAR EL CERTIFICADO" as shown in the image below.
After clicking, a new page will open showing a form asking for your details. You need to fill in the following personal information:
Nº del documento de identificación: your NIE.
Primer Apellido: your first surname.
Correo electrónico: the email address you wish to use for this process.
After filling in your information, DO NOT PRESS "ENVIAR PETICIÓN". Instead, press the link below "Pulse aquí para consultar y aceptar las condiciones de expedición del certificado". You will see the terms of use and privacy policy of your Digital Certificate.
Accept the privacy policy by clicking their designated link, and after that select “ Enviar petición” to send your application. You will then see a pop-up on the top of your screen, which is the software you previously installed. You have to select "Abrir".
Another pop-up will appear on your screen, requiring you to write down a password for your Digital Certificate. Write down a password you are sure you will remember. Then press "Aceptar".
After sending your application, you will receive an email with a link and an application code attached to it. You will need to go in person to one of the FNMT or Tax Agency offices to confirm your identity. You can find the office locator here (*Tax Agency offices will require an appointment).
After registering your identity, you will receive an email with the same application code and a link to download your Digital Certificate. On the website accessed through the link, input your NIE, name and the code, and then accept again the privacy policy.
After completing the steps detailed above, you will be able to download your Digital Certificate to your computer and install it into your browser by pressing the option Instalar Certificado that will appear on your screen.
3. Sending your Digital Certificate to other devices
To install your Digital Certificate to other devices, you can download it from your browser by accessing the “Certificates” section in your options menu. You can then save it with a password and send it via email to another device. You will need to enter the password you decided on the newer device, or otherwise you won’t be able to install it.
Other guides of interest:
NIE, TIE and Residency cards explained
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