Post actualizado el día September 27, 2026 by DeiviSanzPlay
Technically, it’s about accessing benefits, so waiting until you have one to get started is a mistake that can cost you time. If you don’t have the number when a company wants to hire you, the process comes to a halt.
Real steps and ways to get it
If you already have it but don’t know it, check before rushing to apply for it. You can look for it on an old payroll or contract, in your working life report, or directly on the Import@ss portal of the General Treasury of Social Security (TGSS). If you log in with . It can also be done without a digital certificate, but they may ask you to upload a photo of yourself (a selfie) and a photo of both sides of your ID document. You fill in the data, which includes your address and contact information, and in many cases, if everything is in order, the resolution with your number arrives instantly or within a few hours. It’s the fastest method.
- In person: You must request an appointment on the Social Security website or by phone (901 502 050) to go to an office of the General Treasury of Social Security (TGSS), not to just any center. If you don’t have an NIE, some EU citizens can start the process with just a passport, but they will require the NIE afterward to validate it, so it’s better to have it first. If everything is in order, they give you the number on the spot.
Things that get overlooked
- For students: If you are 28 years old or younger and are in official studies (from 3rd year of ESO to the end of university), you already have a NUSS through the School Insurance, even if you have never worked. And note, since 2024, students doing internships (paid or unpaid) are also included in the system. If the student doesn’t have a number, it’s the university or the company that must request it, not the student.
- If you are going to work as an employee, the NUSS application process (if you don’t have one) must be done by the company hiring you through the RED system. This is key. If they tell you to handle it yourself, they are misinformed. They have the obligation. But if you don’t work, or are going to be self-employed, the process is personal.
- If you change your NIE for a Spanish DNI, you must notify Social Security of that change to update your data. Your NUSS will remain the same, but the associated identification changes.
- It’s not a process done at the health center for the health card. First you obtain the NUSS (which is national), and then, with that number, you go to your corresponding health center so that the autonomous community issues your card.
Key documentation:
- Form TA. 1: It’s the official form. You can download it and fill it out beforehand.
- Identification document: DNI, NIE, or passport (for EU/EEA/Switzerland citizens).
- Proof of address: Although it’s not always requested for the number, it’s useful to have it (certificate of registration or rental contract).
- For non-EU foreigners: Passport, TIE, or residence and work authorization resolution.
Frequent doubts that create confusion
Can it be done without a digital certificate? Yes. You can do it online via SMS if your phone is registered, or by going in person.
How long does it take? Online, sometimes it’s immediate; in person, the same day as the appointment if the papers are in order. If there’s no response within about 10 days, the application is considered approved by “administrative silence.”
Does it cost anything? No, it’s free.
Is it the same as the affiliation number? Basically yes, they are the same numerical code. It’s called NUSS before your first employment affiliation, and NAF after, but the digits don’t change.
Can a family member or agent do the process for you? Yes, but they need an authorization signed by you.
What happens if my situation is “special” (asylum seeker, etc.)? The procedures for cases with exceptional documentation (such as an expired “white sheet” with a granted work permit) are more opaque and the offices are sometimes unsure. In those cases, the only reliable way is direct contact and persistence with the TGSS, calling by phone or going in person to ask. The electronic route may not work if the system doesn’t recognize your situation
