Social Security Coverage for Spain — US, UK & Canada Totalization Agreements
The US, UK, and Canada each have bilateral social security agreements (known as totalization agreements) with Spain. These agreements coordinate social security coverage so that workers who move between countries are not required to pay contributions into both systems simultaneously. The key document is a Certificate of Coverage (CoC) — or, for UK workers covered under the EU-UK framework, an A1 certificate — issued by your home country's social security authority.
What is a Certificate of Coverage and why does it matter?
When you live and work in Spain, you normally become subject to the Spanish social security system (Seguridad Social), which requires contributions from both employees and employers or from self-employed individuals registered as autónomo (self-employed).
The US–Spain, UK–Spain, and Canada–Spain totalization agreements provide an exemption for workers who remain covered by their home country's social security system during a period of work in Spain. A Certificate of Coverage (or A1 certificate for UK workers under the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement) is the official document that proves this exemption to Spanish authorities.
The CoC protects both the worker and, where applicable, the employer: it means Spanish Seguridad Social contributions are not owed during the covered period, as long as contributions continue in the home country.
How it connects to the Digital Nomad Visa
Spain's visado de teletrabajo de carácter internacional (Digital Nomad Visa, or DNV) is aimed at people working remotely for employers or clients based outside Spain. The social security position of DNV holders depends on their employment status:
- Remote employees (salaried, W-2 / PAYE / T4): If your employer continues to pay into the US, UK, or Canadian social security system on your behalf, you may qualify for a Certificate of Coverage — keeping you in your home country's system and exempting you from Spanish Seguridad Social for the covered period. As of early 2026, DNV applications supported by a US Certificate of Coverage from SSA are being accepted and approved at Spanish consulates. Including the CoC as part of your application file is recommended.
- Self-employed / contractors (registered as autónomo in Spain): Self-employed individuals who register as autónomo in Spain generally contribute to the Spanish social security system. The totalization agreements still benefit them by allowing contribution periods in both countries to be combined for the purposes of benefit eligibility (e.g., pension, disability), but the CoC exemption typically does not apply to genuine Spanish-based self-employment. Confirm your status with a qualified adviser.
- Whether a CoC is required as part of the DNV application, recommended, or simply useful for ongoing compliance varies by consulate and employment arrangement.
- The information above reflects general patterns as of mid-2026. Requirements can change. Confirm with the consulate handling your specific application.
United States — SSA Certificate of Coverage
The US–Spain totalization agreement has been in force since April 1, 1988. It covers old-age, survivors, and disability insurance. It does not cover Medicare health benefits or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
What the agreement prevents
Without the agreement, a US employee working in Spain could be required to pay Social Security and Medicare taxes in the US and Seguridad Social contributions in Spain simultaneously. The agreement ensures contributions are owed to only one country at a time.
Obtaining a US Certificate of Coverage
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Identify who applies:
- Employees: typically your employer's HR or payroll department initiates the request to the SSA on your behalf.
- Self-employed individuals: apply directly to the SSA.
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Request from the Social Security Administration (SSA).
The SSA's Office of International Programs handles CoC requests. Visit ssa.gov/international for current forms and instructions. The certificate will confirm that the worker remains covered under the US Social Security system and is exempt from Spanish social security during the stated period. -
Confirm the coverage period covers your intended stay in Spain.
The dates on the certificate should align with or exceed the duration of your DNV application or your planned period of residency in Spain.
The SSA CoC is a federal document. If an apostille is required (see below), it is issued by the US Department of State in Washington, D.C. — not by a state Secretary of State.
United Kingdom — HMRC A1 certificate
The UK has a bilateral social security agreement with Spain that predates Brexit. Additionally, the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), in force since January 1, 2021, provides a framework for social security coordination between the UK and EU member states including Spain.
Which certificate applies
UK workers assigned to work in Spain (an EU member state) may obtain an A1 certificate from HMRC, which confirms continued coverage under the UK National Insurance (NI) system and exemption from Spanish Seguridad Social contributions.
How to obtain the A1 certificate
- For employees: your employer applies to HMRC using form CA3822 (for EU/EEA postings). The resulting A1 certificate is issued to the employee and confirms UK NI coverage for the duration of the posting.
- For self-employed individuals: apply directly to HMRC — the relevant form differs from CA3822; consult HMRC guidance at gov.uk/national-insurance-if-you-go-abroad for current instructions.
- Note the time limit. Under the TCA framework, A1 certificates for assignments to EU countries are typically limited to 24 months. Beyond that period, contributions may be owed to the Spanish social security system. If you intend to stay in Spain longer than 2 years, discuss your social security position with a qualified adviser in advance.
For workers in countries with UK bilateral agreements outside the EU (such as the US or Canada), form CA9107 applies. For Spain — an EU member — the relevant route is the TCA-based A1 certificate via CA3822. Ensure you apply on the correct form to avoid delays.
Canada — CPT125 (Canada–Spain Convention)
Canada and Spain have a bilateral Convention on Social Security. Canadian workers who move to Spain to work may continue contributing to the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and be exempt from Spanish Seguridad Social during the covered period.
The CPT125 certificate
- Request form CPT125 — the "Certificate of Coverage Under the Canada Pension Plan Pursuant to Article 6 of the Convention on Social Security Between Canada and Spain." This form is available through the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) international social security agreement forms, at canada.ca.
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Submit through Service Canada / CRA.
The completed form and supporting documents are submitted to the relevant Canadian authority, which issues the certificate confirming CPP coverage and exemption from Spanish social security for the stated period. -
Confirm the coverage period.
As with the US CoC, ensure the dates cover your planned period of residency in Spain.
The Canada–Spain Convention also allows combining CPP contribution periods with Spanish Seguridad Social contribution periods to qualify for pension or disability benefits in either country — useful if you have partial contribution records in both systems.
What to verify in your certificate
Once you receive your CoC or A1 certificate, check these points before submitting it to Spanish authorities:
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Coverage dates: both a start date and an end date.
The period must cover your intended stay in Spain. If only a start date is shown, contact the issuing authority and ask for an end date to be added. (In Spanish documentation this appears as: indicando las fechas que cubrirá dicho certificado) -
Your Spain address, where requested.
Some consulates ask that the certificate include your address in Spain. If the issuing authority allows it, request that your Spanish address be included. (indicando el domicilio del trabajador en España) -
Explicit reference to remote work activity in Spain.
Where possible, the certificate should state that the coverage applies while the worker performs remote work from Spain. (que cubre su desplazamiento para trabajar de forma remota desde España)
Apostille on the certificate
A Certificate of Coverage is an official government document. Spanish authorities may require it to be apostilled for use in the DNV application. Apostille authorities by country:
- US (SSA CoC — federal document): apostille from the US Department of State in Washington, D.C.
- UK (HMRC A1 certificate): apostille from the FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office) — £45, approximately 20–25 working days direct; faster via registered services.
- Canada (CPT125 — federal document): apostille from Global Affairs Canada.
Verify with your consulate whether the CoC must be apostilled specifically for the DNV application, or whether an official original is sufficient. Requirements vary.
📋 Typical document set for submission
- Original Certificate of Coverage / A1 certificate from the issuing authority
- Apostille (where required by the consulate)
- Sworn Spanish translation by a traductor jurado (where required)
Social security vs income tax: an important distinction
The totalization agreements discussed on this page govern social security contributions only. They do not determine your income tax obligations, which are governed by separate bilateral tax treaties:
- US citizens and residents: the US–Spain Tax Treaty and US citizenship-based worldwide taxation rules. US citizens living in Spain must continue filing US tax returns regardless of residency. The Beckham Law (Régimen Especial) and the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) may be relevant — consult a US expat tax specialist.
- UK nationals: the UK–Spain Double Taxation Agreement (DTA), and the UK Statutory Residence Test (SRT) to determine UK tax residency upon departure.
- Canadian nationals: the Canada–Spain Tax Convention, and Canadian departure from tax residency rules.
Questions about your documents or social security position?
We help DNV applicants prepare their full document package and connect them with qualified advisers for tax and social security questions.
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