Inforgraphic to get a Digital certificate

How to get a Digital Certificate in Spain

Once you have your NIE Number the vast majority of legal, administrative, tax and town-hall procedures can be carried out online using the CLAVE System. However, in order to verify your identity online and formalize any legal process, you need what is called a digital certificate.

In this blog post MYNIE will show you exactly what this digital ID (DIGITAL CERTIFICATE) is and why you need one. We will show you how to obtain yours step by step without leaving your home (will need to show ID at a designated place).

Please be aware this is NOT part of our service. This is complimentary advice on our current understanding on how to obtain and install a Digital certificate. We can not give technical advice or further guidance on how to complete this procedure other than what’s on this blog post.

Why Do I need a Digital certificate?

Going to any government administration office to do your paperwork is now a thing of the past in Spain. The offices are still there but doing things online is going to be the future of administration in Spain…

Currently, the vast majority of procedures can be carried out online, be it regarding immigration, taxes, business or any other administrative issue. For example, it is possible to register as a self-employed worker (we still recommend doing this via a Gestoria and not doing your self), submit your quarterly/annual tax returns, or carry out procedures related to your residence permit/padron/TIE, all online without leaving home.

But to enjoy that simpleness you’ll need a digital certificate….

So, if you have your NIE Number via MYNIE but don’t have a digital certificate yet, we strongly recommend that you apply for one.

Obtaining a digital certificate will save you time and allow many administrative procedures you would normally have to spend hours queuing up for in an inefficient office.

If you want to avoid losing a whole morning/day because you need to request an appointment, queue up, wait, and wait… (and we all know how slow the Spanish administration can be). You need a digital certificate.

How to apply for a digital certificate online

Let’s now take a look at the step-by-step process to get your digital certificate online.

1. Select your browser

This introductory step is crucial and very important.

You can only request the digital certificate via Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox browsers.

Firefox in its new versions will not work for you either, so you will most likely have to install an older version.

If you don’t have any of them installed, that’s the first step to take.

2. Enter the FNMT website’s

This is where you’ll do all the paperwork.

First of all, access the portal of the “Fábrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbre”, by clicking here.

On the top bar, access Ceres.

how to apply for a digital certificate

Then, click on “certificados“.

apply for a digital certificate

3. Select the type of certificate you want to apply for

As you can see, there are different options. But you should only focus on the first two.

Generally, you will mark the option “persona física” (natural person), if you are a private individual or freelancer. This would be the most common situation.

Only in cases where you are a company administrator would you check one of the “certificado de representante” (representative certificate) options. However, in this case, you will also need the previous certificate, so the process always starts with the natural person certificate.

digital certificate

After clicking, select on the new sidebar “obtener certificado de software”.

digital certificate

4. Obtain the software certificate

To proceed, you must click on either of the two related options: either “solicitar certificado” on the left sidebar that has just been displayed, or “Solicitud vía internet de su certificado” in the center of the screen. Both options will redirect you to the same place.

digital certificate

5. Fill in your details

In the new screen you must include:

  • Your DNI or NIE if you are a foreigner/expat
  • Last name
  • Your main email

It is important to enter an email that you have access to, as you will immediately be sent a verification code.

When you have filled in the fields, do not click directly on “enviar petición”. You must first click on “pulse equipara consultar y aceptar las condiciones de expedición del certificado”, and accept the checkbox.

6. Verify your identity at any Public Administration office

Once you have finished this online procedure, you will receive an email with a verification code. With this code you will be able to attend any administration office designed for it. 

Bringing your ID or passport, you will verify your image and that you are indeed the owner.

Make sure to get an appointment before attending. There are 2,400 accredited offices in Spain which you can confirm your identity. Click here to find your nearest or you can also book an appointment at most local town halls.

7. Check the code you received by email

After having gone to verify your certificate in person, you will receive an email with a link to the email address you had noted.

You will see a link to download the individual certificate. Click on it.

Now a new screen will open up, very similar to the initial one, in which you will have to introduce again your DNI or NIE, last name, and the code that you have received by mail.

You’ll have a short period of time to perform the installation, so do not leave the mail in your inbox unread for long.

8. Export the digital certificate

Then, in your browser, once installed, go to preferences, privacy and security settings, and scroll down to “certificates”. If you hit “see certificate,” yours will appear.

Click on make a copy to save it on your computer.

In this step, your browser will ask you for a password. It is very important that you save this password, because if you install the digital certificate in another PC, it will ask for it too.

With that you will already have the certificate on your desktop; and you can install it in other browsers, now you can use Chrome, for example.

And that’s it! You can start working with your certificate online now.

Links

How to get a NIE Number in Malaga

How to get a NIE Number in Benidorm

How to pay your NIE Number tax on a ATM Cash machine

How to get a NIE Number in Alicante

How to get a Brexit TIE card

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