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Certificado digital and Cl@ve in Spain: how to get your digital signature

How to obtain the FNMT digital certificate and register for Cl@ve in Spain. Step by step for Ukrainians and Russian speakers: documents, cita previa, AutoFirma and common mistakes.

Expato Team··6 min read

Certificado digital and Cl@ve in Spain: how to get your digital signature

In Spain almost all dealings with the government happen online: booking a cita previa, submitting applications, accessing the Seguridad Social and the tax agency (AEAT), getting padrón certificates, checking the status of your cases. To do this from home instead of in queues, you need an electronic means of identification. There are two main ones: the certificado digital (FNMT certificate) and Cl@ve. This guide covers how they differ, what to prepare and how to get each — with the situation of Ukrainians and Russian speakers in mind.

What they are and why you need them

  • Certificado digital (FNMT) — an electronic certificate installed in your browser or computer. It proves your identity online and lets you sign documents and applications.
  • Cl@ve — the state electronic-identity system for accessing public services with a username and password/PIN, with no file to install.
  • DNIe — the electronic chip in the Spanish ID card (DNI). Ukrainian citizens don't have a DNI, so this route isn't for you — use the FNMT certificate and/or Cl@ve.

Which to choose

In short: Cl@ve for quick access to public services, and the certificado digital when you need to sign documents and forms. Many people set up both — they complement each other. It's often easiest to start with Cl@ve and leave the certificate for when you need to sign applications.

What to prepare in advance

For both routes you'll generally need:

  • the NIE and the document proving it (TIE or NIE certificate);
  • a valid passport;
  • access to your email and phone (for codes and confirmations).

NIE first, digital signature second

Without a NIE you can't obtain the certificado digital or register for Cl@ve — the system identifies you precisely by your foreigner number. If you don't have a NIE/TIE yet, start there (see our NIE guide).

Certificado digital FNMT — 4 steps

The personal certificate (persona física) via software is issued following the FNMT's official procedure in four consecutive steps:

Step 1. Prior configuration

Install the FNMT configurator on your computer before requesting it. It prepares the browser to generate the keys securely.

Step 2. Online request

Request the certificate on the FNMT website. A request code (código de solicitud) will arrive by email. Save it.

Step 3. In-person identity accreditation

With the request code and your documents, prove your identity in person at an accreditation office — for example, AEAT or Seguridad Social offices. Most require a cita previa. Bring your passport and the document with your NIE/TIE.

Step 4. Downloading the certificate

About an hour after accreditation you can download and install the certificate, using the request code again. Make a backup copy straight away (export to a password-protected file).

The most common mistake: switching device between steps

The request (step 2) and the download (step 4) must be done on the same computer and browser, without clearing data in between. The key pair is tied to the device — if you switch computer/browser, the request code won't work and you'll have to start over.

Documents for accreditation

The exact document list at step 3 can vary by office. Generally, for a foreigner it's the passport

  • the document with your NIE number (TIE/certificate). Check the current requirements and the office list on the official site sede.fnmt.gob.es before going.

Cl@ve — ways to register

Cl@ve is the "electronic identity" for the administration. With a NIE/TIE, the most reliable routes are:

  1. Online with an invitation letter (carta de invitación) — arrives at your address.
  2. In person at a registration office (usually with a cita previa) — the most reliable route.
  3. Online via a certificado digital — if you already have the FNMT certificate (see above).

Video identification: check availability for your document

Cl@ve also has routes with video identification (automatic and with manual review). Their availability and the accepted document (DNI or NIE) change periodically, and they aren't always open to foreigners. Don't count on the video route in advance — check the current status at clave.gob.es; if that route is closed, use the invitation letter, in-person registration or the certificado digital.

After registering you have two access modes:

  • Cl@ve PIN — a temporary code for a one-off login; useful for infrequent procedures.
  • Cl@ve Permanente — a permanent password for regular access; some operations add an SMS confirmation.

Cl@ve Móvil and Cl@ve Firma

There's the Cl@ve Móvil app (access and confirmations from your phone) and Cl@ve Firma — cloud document signing. Important: Cl@ve Firma is only available with advanced registration (via certificate/DNIe or in person); basic registration by letter or video identification isn't enough to sign with Firma.

AutoFirma — signing documents

Many procedures (submitting applications, appeals, forms on public portals) require an electronic signature. For this Spain uses the free official app AutoFirma:

  • downloaded from the official electronic-administration portal;
  • works together with your certificado digital;
  • signs PDFs and forms directly on government websites.

If something 'won't sign'

Common causes: AutoFirma isn't installed, the browser doesn't detect the certificate, the certificate has expired, or an incompatible browser is being used. Restarting AutoFirma and checking the certificate is correctly imported usually helps.

What it gives you in practice

With the certificado digital or Cl@ve you'll be able to, without travelling:

  • book a cita previa (extranjería, AEAT, Seguridad Social);
  • submit applications and track the status of your cases;
  • obtain padrón certificates (volante/certificado de empadronamiento) online;
  • deal with the AEAT — tax returns, certificates;
  • request documents from the Seguridad Social (affiliation number, vida laboral).

Tip

Set up your digital identification right after getting your NIE/TIE — it saves dozens of hours of queues and often removes the need to "hunt" for an unreachable cita previa at the office.

This article is informational and describes the general procedure; official conditions and the office list can change — verify with the primary sources sede.fnmt.gob.es (certificate) and clave.gob.es (Cl@ve). If you need help from a Russian- or Ukrainian-speaking professional (gestor, lawyer), check our verified directory.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between the certificado digital and Cl@ve?
The certificado digital (FNMT certificate) is a file installed in your browser/computer that proves your identity online and lets you sign documents. Cl@ve is a login system for public services using a username/PIN, with no file to install. Many procedures work via either one; the certificate is handier for signing, Cl@ve for quick access.
Do I need a NIE to get the certificado digital?
Yes. Identification normally requires your NIE number and the document proving it (TIE or NIE certificate), together with your passport. Get the NIE/TIE first, then apply for the certificate.
How much does the FNMT certificado digital cost?
The personal certificate (persona física) obtained via in-person accreditation at an office is usually free. The FNMT's video-identification option is paid. Check current conditions at sede.fnmt.gob.es.
Why must the certificate be downloaded on the same computer where it was requested?
Requesting it generates a key pair tied to the browser and computer. If you switch device or browser, or clear data between the 'request' and 'download' steps, the request code won't work and you'll have to start over.
What is AutoFirma and what is it for?
AutoFirma is the free official app for signing documents and forms on government portals with your certificado digital. Many procedures (for example, submitting applications) require signing precisely via AutoFirma.
What's the difference between Cl@ve PIN and Cl@ve Permanente?
Cl@ve PIN is a temporary code for a one-off login (handy for infrequent procedures). Cl@ve Permanente is a permanent password for regular access; some operations add an SMS confirmation. There's a single registration; you choose the login method when you use it.
Can I register for Cl@ve with only a NIE?
Yes. With a NIE/TIE the most reliable routes are: the invitation letter (carta de invitación), in-person registration at an office, and online via an already-obtained certificado digital. Video-identification routes aren't always available and depend on your document — check the current status at clave.gob.es.
Is all this mandatory if I have temporary protection?
No, not from day one. But the certificado digital or Cl@ve make life much easier: booking a cita previa, submitting applications, accessing the Seguridad Social and AEAT, getting padrón certificates and much more — without travelling in person. We recommend setting it up as soon as you have a NIE/TIE.