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FNMT digital certificate or Cl@ve in Spain

Choose the right electronic identity for Spanish government portals, understand when FNMT and Cl@ve differ, and set up a reliable fallback for online administration.

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Digital access: choose FNMT certificate or Cl@ve

National digital-access tools · accepted methods depend on each service

Spain uses several accepted electronic-identification methods. The FNMT citizen certificate and Cl@ve are separate systems: the certificate is installed on your device, while Cl@ve identifies you through the government's shared login system. A portal decides which methods it accepts, so regular residents often benefit from setting up both.

Procedure

Choose the FNMT Certificado de Persona Física, register in Cl@ve, or set up both. One does not automatically create the other.

Where to go

For FNMT, use the official FNMT electronic office: configure the device, submit the certificate request, receive the request code, prove your identity and then download the certificate. For Cl@ve, start from the official Cl@ve registration service. If you need an in-person appointment, direct AEAT and Seguridad Social appointment links are below. For AEAT Cl@ve registration, choose Other procedures → Electronic identification → Register in Cl@ve. For FNMT identity accreditation, first check the FNMT accreditation-office guidance because not every public office or appointment category performs FNMT accreditation.

Which one to choose
  • FNMT certificate: useful when a portal accepts certificate-based identification or electronic signing; some procedures also use AutoFirma.
  • Cl@ve Móvil: convenient for routine identification on services integrated with Cl@ve, using the app/QR confirmation flow.
  • Cl@ve Permanente: designed for frequent access with a lasting password; higher-security services can add a one-time SMS code.
  • For the widest practical fallback, set up both if you are eligible. The specific portal always decides what it accepts.
Registration and cost

Neither route uses Modelo 790. The FNMT citizen certificate itself is free. Cl@ve has basic and advanced registration levels; basic registration does not unlock every service or Cl@ve Firma. Optional FNMT mobile video identification is a separate paid identity-verification service and is currently limited to a valid Spanish DNI.

Prepare
  • Your DNI or NIE and the identity document required by the chosen route
  • For the standard FNMT office route: the request code sent by email
  • EU citizens using FNMT: NIE evidence plus passport or national identity document, as required by FNMT
  • A mobile phone number and email address for Cl@ve registration
  • For FNMT software certificate: keep using the same computer and user account from request through download
What happens after

After FNMT identity accreditation, download the certificate using the same computer and user account used for the request, then make a protected backup. After Cl@ve registration, you can use Cl@ve Móvil and, if needed, activate Cl@ve Permanente. Some higher-security functions require advanced registration, and not every public service offers every identification method.

Official FNMT citizen certificateFNMT identity accreditationOfficial Cl@ve registrationBook AEAT appointmentSeguridad Social appointments (INSS/ISM)How Cl@ve works

Official sources checked:

Cl@ve or FNMT digital certificate

What this is for

What they are: The FNMT citizen certificate and Cl@ve are separate electronic-identification systems. The FNMT software certificate is installed on a device and can be used where a public service accepts certificate-based identification or signing. Cl@ve is the shared government identification platform used by participating public services.

FNMT route: For the standard software certificate, configure the device, submit the online request, keep the request code, prove your identity and then download the certificate using the same computer and user account used for the request. FNMT accepts specific NIE evidence together with a passport or national identity document for EU citizens. After download, make a protected backup; some signing procedures also use AutoFirma.

Cl@ve route: Current Cl@ve registration has basic and advanced levels. Cl@ve Móvil lets registered users identify through the app/QR confirmation flow. Cl@ve Permanente is intended for frequent access with a lasting password and can add a one-time SMS code for higher-security services. Basic registration does not work for every service and does not enable Cl@ve Firma.

Which should you use? Use the method the specific public portal accepts. If you handle Spanish administration regularly, having both FNMT and Cl@ve gives you a useful fallback when one method is unavailable for a particular service.

This app is a planning guide, not legal advice. Spanish immigration and administration rules, document lists, fees, and appointment labels can change. Always verify your procedure with official sources before filing.