What is a Digital Certificate For?

Алексей Адвокатов
Адвокат
Nowadays, the vast majority of procedures can be completed online, whether it's immigration, taxes, business, or any other administrative matters.

For example, you can register as a self-employed individual, submit quarterly/annual tax returns, or handle procedures related to obtaining a residence permit, all online, from the comfort of your home. But to enjoy this convenience, you will need a digital certificate.

This will save a lot of time and simplify many administrative procedures. If you don’t want to spend a whole morning making an appointment, standing in line, waiting and waiting... (and we all know how slow the Spanish administration can be), you need a digital certificate.

What is a Digital Certificate?

At a public level, a digital certificate is simply your online identity document that allows you to conduct procedures with the administration over the Internet.

The traditional way of handling any official documents is straightforward. You go to the relevant office, fill out a specific document, and sign it, after which the clerk asks for your ID or passport to confirm your identity. But what happens if you do the documents online?

Since you can't present your ID in person, a digital certificate is created to confirm your identity and automatically sign any type of document with a single click.

Procedures with a Digital Certificate

Specifically, this certificate will allow you to communicate and carry out online procedures with:
  • Immigration offices: To, for example, book an appointment to apply for a visa, pay fees online, or submit missing documents.
  • Tax authorities: By uploading your tax returns or viewing tax declarations from previous years.
  • Social Security: So you can see on your computer how many years you have left until retirement or request a work life report.
  • Courts and the justice system: For filing appeals.
  • Bank of Spain: For various banking procedures.
Other procedures: Such as contesting fines, checking census registration, etc.
Представитель-ство в суде

Applications for residency renewal in 2024 can be submitted in person, by mail, or electronically.

To verify and confirm any online procedure with Spanish authorities, there are currently two different certificates:

  • One from the chip of the DNI-E (electronic ID);
  • Those issued by the Fábrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbre (National Currency and Stamp Factory).

In most cases, you can sign and confirm your identity with either certificate. However, sometimes you may only be able to use your electronic ID. For simplicity, we recommend using the digital certificate from the second option. Both certificates have an expiration date and require periodic renewal.

If you want to save money and avoid the hassle of obtaining a digital signature, contact our company. A certified Gestor can represent your interests and make official requests to government agencies, which are obliged to respond.