Identifying and signing are not the same
Identifying yourself is proving who you are to get in somewhere. Signing is recording your will in a document so that you cannot deny it later. The digital certificate does both; password systems only the first.
| Digital certificate | Cl@ve | DNIe | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Identifies you | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Signs documents | Yes | Limited | Yes |
| Where it lives | File on your computer or phone | Passwords and phone | Chip on the card |
| Needs a reader | No | No | Yes, except NFC versions |
| Available to foreigners | Yes, with a NIE | Yes | No, it belongs to the Spanish DNI |
What legal value it has
It is not an informal convention. Law 6/2020 regulates electronic trust services and gives full legal effect to the identification and signature systems provided for in administrative rules. And Law 39/2015, in article 14, establishes the right to deal with the administration electronically, and the obligation to do so for certain groups, among them professionals whose activity requires compulsory membership of a professional college.
That last sentence explains why a registered gestor administrativo files your applications online: it is not a convenience, it is the channel the law assigns.
What it is for in practice
- Filing immigration applications and renewals without fighting for an appointment.
- Checking your employment history and managing affiliation in Importass.
- Filing forms with the Tax Agency and registering as self-employed.
- Signing PDF documents with legal validity.
- Receiving electronic notifications, which in many procedures are already the only valid channel.
How to get it is in the digital certificate guide: it is free and there are four different routes.
Certificate, Cl@ve and DNIe: which you need
They are three different systems of electronic identification before the administration, and they compete less than it seems.
Digital certificate. A file installed on your computer that identifies you and lets you sign with legal effect. It is the most complete: it works in practically every electronic office and is the only one covering document signing.
Cl@ve. The State's password system, in two forms, one occasional by SMS and one permanent. It is easier to obtain and covers much of the Tax Agency and Social Security, but not every office accepts it and it does not replace a signature.
DNIe. The chip in the Spanish DNI. Powerful but needs a reader or compatible phone, and only those already Spanish have it.
For a resident foreign national the practical order is clear: digital certificate first, and Cl@ve as a handy complement for quick checks from your phone.
What is inside the certificate
A certificate is a file linking your identity to a pair of cryptographic keys: a public one, inside the certificate, and a private one, which never leaves your computer. The certification authority, most commonly the FNMT, guarantees that the key pair belongs to you, which is why identity must be proved in person.
Two consequences follow that explain almost everything else. First: whoever has your file and your password is you before the administration, so the copy is kept the way a key is kept. Second: the private key is generated in the browser where you make the request, which is why the certificate must be downloaded on the same computer and browser.
The certificate also has an expiry date and can be revoked, for example if you lose it. A signature made with an expired or revoked certificate is not valid, even if the file still opens.
Want yours working today?
We request it, complete the identity check and install it, and test it in the electronic offices before calling it done.
Frequently asked questions
Is the digital certificate free?
The FNMT individual certificate is, yes; it is issued free of charge.
Does it work if I am not Spanish?
Yes. It is obtained with a NIE. Nationality is not the requirement; having a valid identification number is.
Is it the same as an electronic signature?
The certificate is the tool; the electronic signature is what you do with it. To sign you also need an application, such as AutoFirma.
Can I have it on several devices?
Yes, by exporting the certificate with its private key and installing it where you need it. Keep that copy password-protected and somewhere safe.
Does it expire?
Yes. Renewal can be done during the 60 days before expiry, with exceptions.
Legal basis
- Law 6/2020 regulating certain aspects of electronic trust services
- Law 39/2015 on Common Administrative Procedure, art. 14 on electronic dealings with the administration
- Royal Decree 203/2021, Regulation on public sector action by electronic means
Official sources
- FNMT: individual certificate
- FNMT: renewing the certificate
- Spanish Government electronic signature portal: downloads
- Importass, portal of the Social Security Treasury
Written by Irina Klein. Reviewed by Elena Alonso Volostnova, registered gestora administrativa (ICGA Valencia). Updated on 5 October 2026. This page is general information and does not replace personalised advice on your case.