🏥 If your internship in Spain is paid, getting your Spanish Social Security number is mandatory
Without this number, your company cannot register you, and you won’t be covered by the Spanish healthcare system or the insurance required for your internship. To apply for Spanish Social Security, you must first have your NIE.
Here’s everything you need to know to get your number easily.
💡Why is this number essential?
Your Spanish Social Security number allows you to:
- be legally registered by your company,
- be covered in case of a workplace accident,
- access the Spanish public healthcare system,
- receive a stipend legally,
- sign a paid contract or internship agreement.
⚠️GOOD TO KNOW! This number is unique and valid for life, even if you return to Spain years later. Keep it safe!
Who can apply for it?
Anyone who doesn’t already have one:
- students doing a paid internship,
- employees,
- self-employed workers.
⚠️GOOD TO KNOW! If you’ve already worked in Spain (job, internship, volunteering…), you may already have a number. In that case, do not submit a new application — duplicates can block your file. Instead, you must request a recovery of your existing number from Social Security.
📝Which documents do you need?
To obtain your number, you must provide:
- Passport or national ID + photocopy
- Your NIE + photocopy
- Your internship agreement or contract proving the need for affiliation
- Completed Modelo TA.1 form
⚠️IMPORTANT! Always prepare two copies of each document — some offices keep them.
How to fill out the Modelo TA.1 form?
The Modelo TA.1 form is used to request the assignment of a Social Security number.
You’ll be asked for:
- Your personal details (name, date of birth, nationality)
- Your address in Spain or France
- Your NIE
- Under “Motivo de la solicitud”
→ Tick: Asignación de Número de Seguridad Social
This form can be filled out by hand (black pen / capital letters) or on a computer.
Watch our video to help you complete the form.
📍 Where do you request your Social Security number?
1. In person
You can visit the nearest TGSS (Tesorería General de la Seguridad Social). An appointment is not always required, depending on the city. You submit your file and usually receive your number the same day.
2. Online
Through the official platform Import@ss (Spanish Social Security website). Two options exist:
-
- With a digital certificate → the fastest
- Without a digital certificate, using ID photo verification
Applications are processed within 24 to 72 hours.
3. Through your host company
This is the most common and often the easiest method. Spanish companies have access to a professional portal called Sistema RED, which allows them to:
- request your number,
- register you with Social Security,
- complete mandatory declarations.
For you, this means you don’t need to do anything, except provide:
- your passport,
- your NIE,
- your internship agreement.
⚠️GOOD TO KNOW! Your company can obtain your number in just a few minutes.
What does the official document include?
- Your full name
- Your NIE
- Your Número de Afiliación
- The date it was issued
You will then need to provide this number to:
- your company (make sure they have registered you in Import@ss),
- the Seguridad Social,
- your bank,
- any administration that requires it.
Ready to start your internship in Spain?
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Manel Gourad – 2025
