What Does a Spanish Social Security Number Look Like

A Spanish Social Security number may look like this: 28/12345678/90. The slashes may be shown, or the same number may appear without them as 281234567890. In Spain, this number is usually called the NUSS, short for *Número de la Seguridad Social*.

The common format of a Spanish Social Security number

The clearest visual example is:

> 28/12345678/90

You may also see it written as:

> 281234567890

The forward slashes are optional. They help separate the number into sections, but they aren't necessarily part of the number itself.

This is why two documents can appear to show slightly different formats while referring to the same Social Security number. One may use spaces or slashes. Another may print one continuous string of digits.

If you’re checking a document, focus on the digits and their order. Don’t assume the number is wrong just because the punctuation is missing.

What the parts of the number represent

The example is commonly explained in three parts:

• 28 — the province section
• 12345678 — the sequential section
• 90 — the control section

The province section is linked to the province connected with the registration. The middle section identifies the number in sequence. The final digits act as control digits within the number’s format.

So, in:

28 / 12345678 / 90

the first part is the province code, the long middle part is the sequential number, and the last part is the control section.

You usually don’t need to work out what each part means when filling in a form. The main task is to copy the complete number exactly as it appears on your document, payslip, or official online record.

How many digits does a Spanish Social Security number have?

Descriptions of the Spanish Social Security number often give a length of 11 to 12 digits, with slashes used optionally.

The example 28/12345678/90 contains 12 digits when the slashes are removed:

• 2 digits in the first section
• 8 digits in the middle section
• 2 digits in the final section

That gives:

2 + 8 + 2 = 12 digits

You may still see references to an 11–12-digit format. This reflects the way the number is described across different records and displays. Punctuation can also make the number look longer, even though the slashes are not extra digits.

For a form or online service, enter the number in the format requested. If the form does not accept slashes, try the digits only. If you’re copying it from a payslip, check that no digit has been left out at the beginning or end.

NUSS: the Spanish name for the Social Security number

NUSS means Número de la Seguridad Social. It is the Spanish term used for the Social Security number.

You might see the terms NUSS and Spanish Social Security number used for the same identifier on Spanish administrative pages. The wording can change depending on whether you are looking at a payslip, an online service, or information from Spain’s Social Security system.

For example, a form may ask for:

• NUSS
• Número de la Seguridad Social
• Spanish Social Security number

These labels point to the same type of number.

If you are a foreign resident or worker in Spain, you may need to provide your NUSS for an administrative process. The term itself does not change because you are a foreign national.

Is a Spanish Social Security number the same as an NIE?

No. A NUSS and an NIE are separate Spanish identification numbers.

The NUSS is the number connected with Spain’s Social Security system. The NIE is another identifier used in Spanish administration for foreigners. They should not be treated as interchangeable.

This matters because a form may ask for both. If it asks for your NIE, do not enter your NUSS. If it asks for your NUSS or Número de la Seguridad Social, do not replace it with your NIE.

The two numbers can appear in the same administrative process, which is one reason people sometimes mix them up. Check the exact label beside the box before entering anything.

Where to find your Spanish Social Security number

Start with documents you already have. If you are employed, your Spanish Social Security number may appear on a paper or digital payslip.

Look for wording such as:

• NUSS
• Número de la Seguridad Social
• Seguridad Social

The position can vary between employers and payslip formats. Check the personal information or employment details area, and compare the number with the expected format.

You may also find it through Importass, the online service connected with Spain’s Social Security administration. Your number may be available there if it has already been recorded.

If you don’t have a payslip and cannot see the number in Importass, you can use the official online application route. This is the safer option than relying on an unofficial website or a third-party service that offers to apply for you.

How to check or retrieve it online

Importass is one of the main places to check your Social Security information online. If your NUSS is already available in your record, it may be shown there rather than sent as a separate paper document.

The general process is:

1. Go to the official Importass or Spanish Social Security service.
2. Choose the service for checking or requesting your Social Security number.
3. Follow the online identity process shown on the official page.
4. Check the result carefully, including every digit.
5. Save the number somewhere secure for future forms or employment paperwork.

The exact screen names may change, so follow the wording on the official service rather than looking for a shortcut elsewhere.

If the number has already been issued, the online service may let you retrieve it. If you are requesting one for the first time, the process may send the NUSS by email or make it available in Importass after the request has been handled.

Keep the number private in the same sensible way you would protect other personal administrative details. You may need it often, but you don’t need to post it publicly or send it to people who have no clear reason to request it.

How long it takes to receive a new number

The NUSS normally arrives by email or appears in Importass within 1–3 working days after the online process.

Working days usually means the expected time does not count weekends or public holidays. If you have waited longer than that, check:

• Whether the email went to your spam or junk folder
• Whether you used the correct email address
• Whether the number has appeared in Importass
• Whether the online request was completed successfully

If you need the number for a job or another deadline, don’t wait until the last minute. Check your payslip first if you are already employed. If it isn’t there, use the official Importass or Spanish Social Security process to retrieve or request your NUSS.