You need your social security number for several Spanish admin processes, including applying for a health card. So if you don’t have it written down, where can you find it?
If you are employed in Spain or you are self-employed, you will been issued with social security number, which shows you are or have been signed up to the system and can legally work here.
If you’re employed by a company, they will be responsible for registering you with social security, but if you are self-employed, you will have to do it yourself.
READ ALSO: How to register with Spain’s social security system
Once registered, you will receive a social security number, which has12 digits and is unique to you. It’s issued when you begin working legally in Spain or you become autónomo (self employed) and sign up to the system.
The number is required for various procedures to do with healthcare, pensions and benefits.
What happens if you don’t have your Social Security number or you don’t know it? Where do you find it?
Here are seven ways you can easily find it:
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By phone
One of the easiest ways if you speak Spanish is to call 901 50 20 50. You will have to provide your NIE number, first and last name. Once they have verified you, they will give you your social security number.
Online
Another very easy way to find out is online. You can do it from anyone so as long as you have a smartphone or computer. Go to the Social Security Online Office website and click on the following link to find your number.
In order to access it, you will need to verify yourself online using your digital certificate, Cl@ve PIN, or by SMS, if Social Security has verified your mobile number.
On your pay checks
If you work in Spain and receive pay checks (nóminas) from your employer, your social security number should appear on here, whether it’s paper or electronic.
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In your work history report
When you leave a job in Spain, you can request a work history (vida laboral) report, which shows how many days you have accumulated during your time there, and how close you are to getting a pension. On this report you’ll also find your social security number.
On benefits resolutions
If you have ever received any benefits in Spain such as unemployment, maternity or paternity pay or because you have a low income, then you will have received a document telling you that you meet the requirements for the benefits and telling you how much you get. This document will also list your social security number.
On your health card
If you have one of the older health cards you may be able to find your social security number on there. Health cards also differ depending on which region you live in, so this will also dictate whether or not you’ll be able to find it on here. If it does show your number, you’ll be able to tell because it begins with the letter ‘B’, which indicates it’s a beneficiary number. Unfortunately, the more modern cards won’t have this number on.
On prescriptions from your doctor
Most prescriptions these days are digital and can be found on your card, but if you receive a prescription on a piece of paper, then it will typically have your social security number on it too.
