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 and online registration takes 10 minutes.

In person or by representative? Cl@ve can be registered fully online (video identification or invitation letter); the FNMT certificate does require one in-person accreditation (by appointment, usually at AEAT). It's a personal procedure: you do it yourself, not through a representative.

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, permanently valid. For frequent use.
• Cl@ve Móvil — authentication via the official Cl@ve PIN app on your phone, the most convenient.

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

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 — the fastest. Done via the Cl@ve PIN app (download: Google Play / App Store, publisher Government of Spain). You need: valid TIE + selfie + working camera. Result: immediate (minutes to hours).
2. Invitation letter — request from the link above → receive postal letter at your padrón address with a code. Takes 5-10 days. Then enter the code at clave.gob.es to complete.
3. Video identification with manual review — for cases where automatic is rejected. A person reviews your video. Slower (days).
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. Prior appointment required. 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 + 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 (no new in-person visit) if you renew before expiry.

What it unlocks:

• 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.