Getting online access and appointments (cita previa) with social security offices

Terms used

• Cita previa — The cita previa is a prior appointment, usually booked online or by phone, needed for in-person service at public offices.
• INSS — The INSS is the national social security institute, which handles pensions and benefits.
• TGSS — The TGSS is the social security treasury, which handles registration and contributions.
• SEPE — The SEPE is the public employment service, which handles unemployment benefits and jobseeker registration.
• Cl@ve — Cl@ve is the government's shared digital login for public websites, using a PIN or permanent password.
• NIE — The NIE is the identity number given to foreigners in Spain.
• TIE — The TIE is the foreigner identity card issued in Spain.
• DNI — The DNI is Spain's national identity card; the electronic version works as a digital ID.

Key rules

• Appointments: In-person attention at INSS, TGSS and SEPE offices generally needs a prior appointment.
• INSS booking: You can book an INSS appointment online without a digital ID.
• NIE or TIE: An NIE or TIE is enough to register for Cl@ve or request an electronic certificate.
• Regions: Some regions run jobseeker registration through their own employment service rather than SEPE.

Start with a digital ID, then book online

Most social security paperwork starts online, and in-person visits generally need an appointment (cita previa). Set up your digital access first. Then book the appointment for the right office.

Which office handles what

INSS deals with pensions and benefits. TGSS deals with registration and contributions. SEPE deals with unemployment benefits and jobseeker registration. The directory below shows which body to contact for each question.

Choose how you will sign in

You can use any of these:

• Cl@ve, the government's shared login. It comes as a temporary PIN or as a permanent password.
• An electronic certificate, such as the one from the FNMT.
• An electronic DNI, if you have one.

With an NIE or TIE you can use all of them. The documents box below lists what to bring.

Cl@ve: Register online if you already have a certificate. Otherwise register in person at a registration office. Seguridad Social offices and tax offices are among them. You need your NIE or TIE, a mobile phone and an email address.

FNMT certificate: Request it online, then prove your identity in person at an accredited office.

Some procedures can also be done without a digital ID, through a short online identity check by video.

Book your appointment

• INSS (pensions and benefits): Use "Cita previa INSS" on the Seguridad Social electronic headquarters. You don't need a digital ID for this. You can also phone 901 106 570 or 915 411 388.
• TGSS (registration and contributions): Use "Cita previa TGSS" on the same site, or phone 901 502 050.
• SEPE (unemployment): Use the SEPE electronic headquarters. Choose "Cita previa prestaciones" for benefits or "Cita previa demanda de empleo" to register as a jobseeker. You can also phone 901 119 999, or 919 999 996 in some regions.

In some regions, jobseeker registration runs through the regional employment service. Check this before you book with SEPE.

If you need information or urgent help

For general questions, call the Seguridad Social information line on 901 16 65 65 or 91 541 13 88. For SEPE, call 901 01 02 10 or 060.

Offices keep limited help for urgent cases without an appointment. Take ID and anything that shows the urgency. You can also ask at a 060 office or a municipal social worker, or use a gestor (a paid agent who handles paperwork for you).

Before you go

Take your appointment confirmation and your ID. The checklist below covers the order of steps.

Portal names, phone numbers and booking pages change from time to time. If a link or number fails, start from the official Seguridad Social or SEPE site.

Documents you need

• Your NIE or TIE, the foreigner identity number or card, to register in Cl@ve or request an electronic certificate.

• A mobile phone and an email address, needed to register in Cl@ve.

• An electronic certificate (such as the FNMT one) or an electronic DNI, if you already have one. Either lets you sign in without Cl@ve.

Checklist

• Choose how you will sign in: Cl@ve, an electronic certificate or an electronic DNI.

• Sign in to the Seguridad Social electronic headquarters and check that your access works.

• Book your INSS or TGSS appointment through the cita previa option on the Seguridad Social electronic headquarters, or by phone.

• Book your SEPE appointment through the SEPE electronic headquarters, choosing benefits or jobseeker registration, or call 901 119 999.

• Check whether your region runs jobseeker registration through its own employment service.

• Take your appointment confirmation and ID to the office. If your case is urgent and you have no appointment, ask the office for its urgent-case help.

Which social security body to contact for each question

• INSS (the national social security institute for pensions and benefits): Book a cita previa online through the Seguridad Social electronic headquarters, no ID needed, or by phone on 901 106 570 or 915 411 388.

• TGSS (the social security treasury, which handles registration and contributions): Book a cita previa for registration matters through the Seguridad Social electronic headquarters, or by phone on 901 502 050.

• Mi Seguridad Social (citizen portal and app): Use the citizen portal and the Seguridad Social app to check your records and do many procedures online. Check the exact app name in your app store.

• SEPE (the public employment service): Book a cita previa for benefits or for jobseeker registration through the SEPE electronic headquarters, or by phone on 901 119 999 (919 999 996 in some regions).

• SEPE electronic headquarters: Start an unemployment claim (paro) online with Cl@ve or a digital certificate, or in person at an SEPE office by appointment. Register as a jobseeker first. The 15 working days deadline applies.

• Regional employment service: Ask whether your region runs jobseeker registration itself, as some regions do, before booking with SEPE.

• Seguridad Social information lines: Call 901 16 65 65 or 91 541 13 88 for general questions about INSS and TGSS.

• Local help (OAIS, 060 network, a gestor or your municipal social worker): Ask for help with online access or booking if you cannot manage on your own.

Frequently asked questions

Can I book an INSS appointment without a digital ID?

Yes, you can book an INSS appointment for pensions and benefits online without any ID, using the cita previa option on the Seguridad Social electronic headquarters.

Can I get online access if I only have an NIE or TIE?

Yes, an NIE or TIE is enough to get Cl@ve or an electronic certificate, but you must prove your identity first. For Cl@ve you need your NIE or TIE, a mobile phone and an email, and you register online with a certificate or in person at a registration office. Seguridad Social and tax agency offices both do this.

Can I deal with these offices without an appointment?

Generally no, because in-person attention at INSS, TGSS and SEPE offices needs a prior appointment. Each office keeps limited help for urgent cases, so ask at the desk if yours cannot wait.

What phone number do I use to book a SEPE appointment?

For SEPE, call 901 119 999, or 919 999 996 in some regions. You can also book online through the SEPE electronic headquarters, with separate options for benefits and for registering as a jobseeker.