The Spanish Social Security introduced the obligation for the AUTONOMOS (sole traders) to electronically manage their registration procedures, payments of contributions, and reception of all notifications of the General Treasury of the Social Security through the Electronic Administration. It will be obligatory from 1 October 2018.
The General Treasury of Social Security provides two channels which you can use to fulfill this obligation:
- Social Security online: Sede Electrónica de la Seguridad Social (SEDESS) where the Autonomo can operate directly, through the use of on-line services or submitting the request in the electronic register.
- Sistema Red, which consists in naming an authorized person who will act on your behalf.
In case you prefer to work directly in the Social Security online, you must have a system that electronically identifies you, such as:
- Digital signature (FNMT or others).
- Electronic DNI.
- Cl@ve system.
The new system is designed to provide more flexibility in your paperwork by allowing you to submit documents at any time and in any place; making the interactions more secure and in many cases with immediacy in their solution.
However, this change may, at least initially, affect foreigners that are not used to the Social Security online platform. To make the transition as smooth as possible we encourage you to start getting used to the new system in advance, and make sure that the Social Security has your updated contact information. If you need assessment it may be a good idea to contact an English-speaking lawyer to help you to adjust.
