How to get Cl@ve and the Electronic Certificate (FNMT) in Spain with TIE/NIE

In short: Cl@ve is Spain's official electronic identification system for online procedures with public administration. It allows foreigners with TIE/NIE to access AEAT (taxes, IEDMT, DUA), DGT (registration, fines), Social Security (health card, benefits), SEPE (unemployment), regional and municipal authorities, without going to offices. It's free. With a TIE/NIE, online registration without a certificate goes through an invitation letter, which arrives by post.

In person or by representative? With a TIE/NIE you register Cl@ve online with an invitation letter (sent by post) or with an electronic certificate, or in person at a registration office. Video identification is, for now, only for Spanish citizens with a DNI. The FNMT certificate does require one in-person accreditation (by appointment, usually at AEAT). Cl@ve registration is personal, with no representative; for the FNMT, someone else can go on your behalf only if you first have your signature on the certificate contract certified by a notary.

Three Cl@ve modes:

• Cl@ve PIN: one-time code sent by SMS or app, valid for a session. Simple, no permanent password.
• Cl@ve Permanente: username + password + SMS second factor; the password expires after 2 years and must then be changed. For frequent use.
• Cl@ve Móvil: authentication via the official Cl@ve app (formerly Cl@ve PIN) on your phone, the most convenient.

Once registered, all three modes are available: you pick which to use for each procedure.

📶 Just arrived? Cl@ve sends its codes by SMS, and several procedures ask for a mobile number. A Spanish eSIM gives you a number and data from day one, with no contract or prior padrón — one option is Sim Local. 🤝 Our partner. (Cl@ve itself is free.)

FNMT Electronic Certificate (Fábrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbre), alternative or complement: a digital file (.pfx/.p12) installed in your browser or device. More powerful (allows digital signatures), universally accepted, but requires in-person verification during application.

How to register Cl@ve (5 paths, deep links per path):

Index page: clave.gob.es: How to register.

1. Automatic video identification: for now only for Spanish citizens with a valid DNI; it is not available with a TIE/NIE. It is done in the Cl@ve app (formerly Cl@ve PIN).
2. Invitation letter: if you don't have an electronic certificate, this is the online path with a TIE/NIE. Request it from the link above and you receive a postal letter with a code at your tax address (domicilio fiscal), the address the Tax Agency has on file, which may not be your padrón address. The code in the letter is valid for 60 days after you receive it. Then enter the code at clave.gob.es to complete. You need a mobile phone; a foreign number with the country prefix is accepted.
3. Video identification with manual review: after a successful automatic video identification, a public employee reviews the video and you get the advanced level. It depends on video identification, so for now it doesn't work with a TIE/NIE either.
4. With existing electronic certificate or DNIe: if you already have one, use it to register Cl@ve instantly.
5. In person at a registration office: AEAT, Social Security, INSS, some City Councils. Many offices require an appointment. Bring TIE.

How to get FNMT Electronic Certificate (4 sequential steps):

1. Step 1 — Prior configuration: install the FNMT software/configurator in your browser (Firefox/Chrome). Required before next steps.
2. Step 2 — Request certificate: enter NIE/TIE + create a password (write it down, it can't be recovered). Receive the request code by email.
3. Step 3 — Accredit identity: appointment at authorised office (mainly AEAT). Office list on this same page. Bring TIE + passport + request code.
4. Step 4 — Download certificate: ~1h after accreditation. With your code + NIE + password created in step 2. It installs automatically in your browser. Save a backup copy (.pfx).
5. Expiry: 4 years. Online renewal is only possible in the 60 days before expiry. If you have already renewed once, for the next certificate you must prove your identity in person again (a new application as in steps 1-4; at the office, TIE, passport and request code).

What it's for:

• AEAT: forms 05/06/576 (IEDMT), IRPF declaration, tax certificates.
• DGT: registration appointments, miDGT, fines, temporary vehicle deregistration.
• Social Security: TGSS (self-employed registration, work history), INSS (pensions).
• SEPE: unemployment benefits, training courses.
• City Council: padrón, IBI, IVTM, local aid.
• Autonomous communities: health, education, regional aid.

Official source: Cl@ve — Electronic identification system + FNMT — Individual certificate.

Informational only; check the official source for your specific case.