Why you need it
Many online procedures require you to prove your identity: Orihuela Town Hall’s online office (padrón), the SUMA personal area for municipal taxes and the Social Security portal. Cl@ve is the common government sign-in system (via an app or an SMS PIN). The FNMT certificate is a free electronic citizen certificate; according to the FNMT, any adult Spaniard or foreigner with a DNI or NIE can get one.
Cl@ve: basic and advanced levels
Registration can be basic or advanced. The basic level works for many services but not all, and does not allow Cl@ve Firma (electronic signature). Once registered you receive an SMS and can sign in with the Cl@ve app (Cl@ve Móvil) or activate a permanent password (Cl@ve Permanente).
- One mobile number can belong to only one DNI/NIE. A foreign number is allowed: enter the country code and make sure you receive SMS from abroad.
| Method | Level | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| Invitation letter by post | basic | online with a DNI or NIE (for a NIE you are asked for the document’s support number); a letter with a 16-character CSV code goes to your tax address held by the Agencia Tributaria |
| Video identification in the app | basic; advanced after manual review | currently only for Spanish nationals with a valid DNI |
| In person at a registration office | advanced | the applicant only, no representatives; many offices need an appointment |
| Online with a certificate or DNIe | advanced | if you already have a digital certificate |
Where to register for Cl@ve in person
Registration offices include those of the Agencia Tributaria, Social Security, the SEPE employment service and the government Delegations and Sub-delegations, plus networks run by some regions and municipalities. Near you, the SUMA offices have a Cl@ve registration point, by appointment (cita previa on suma.es):
- Bring a valid ID document, your mobile phone and an email address. The Cl@ve site names the DNI for in-person registration; ask when booking which document is accepted from a foreigner (NIE/TIE or EU residence certificate with passport). Nobody can register on your behalf.
- Find other offices offering Cl@ve in the administracion.gob.es directory by ticking the “Cl@ve” filter.
| SUMA office | Address | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Torrevieja | C/ Patricio Pérez, 20, bajo B, 03181 | Mon–Fri 8:30–14:00 |
| Orihuela | Plaza Antonio Balaguer, 1, 03300 | Mon–Fri 8:30–14:00 |
| Orihuela Costa | C/ Pablo Picasso, 1, entlo., Playa Flamenca, 03189 | Mon–Fri 8:30–14:00 |
The FNMT certificate: four steps
- Set-up: install the software the FNMT lists under “Configuración previa”.
- Online application: at the end you receive a request code (Código de Solicitud) by email. The password you set is needed to download; if you forget it, it cannot be recovered and you must start again.
- Identity check in person at an accreditation office (there are more than 2,400; the Agencia Tributaria, Social Security and some others require an appointment). Correos post offices do not handle this certificate.
- Download: according to the FNMT, about an hour after the identity check, using your request code. The FNMT recommends making a backup straight away.
Documents for the identity check
Applicants must be over 18 or emancipated minors. Documents must be valid originals (or officially certified copies). In every case you need the request code from the email.
- The certificate itself is free. Identity checks by video in the FNMT mobile app are currently only available with a valid DNI; that service costs €2.99 plus taxes.
- If you cannot attend yourself, someone else may go for you, but only with your signature on the contract legalised by a notary.
- You can renew in the last 60 days before expiry if the certificate has not been revoked. If it was obtained with another certificate, a DNIe or video identification, or was already renewed once, you must verify your identity again.
| Who you are | What to show |
|---|---|
| EU citizen | the EU citizen registration certificate (or another document) showing your NIE, or the official NIE assignment document — together with your passport or national ID card |
| Non-EU national | a foreigner’s identity card (TIE) showing your NIE, or the official NIE assignment document — together with your passport |