An American working self-employed from Spain — typically on a digital nomad visa — faces a specific problem: without doing anything, they could end up paying into Social Security in both countries at once. The US-Spain totalization agreement, in force since 1988, exists precisely to prevent that, and the document that activates it is the Certificate of Coverage.
What the agreement solves
The totalization agreement lets someone working temporarily in Spain contribute only to the US Social Security system (or only the Spanish one, depending on the case), instead of paying into both. For a self-employed American settling in Spain, the usual approach is staying in the US system for the duration of the activity, as long as it's properly documented.
How to request it: Form E/USA-1bis
If you're self-employed (autónomo) in Spain, the certificate proving your coverage under the US system is requested from the provincial office of Spain's General Treasury of Social Security (TGSS), using Form E/USA-1bis. (If instead you're an employee of a US employer with a presence in Spain, the employer initiates the process with Form E/USA-1.) It can also be requested online through the Social Security Administration's (SSA) international programs portal.
Information you need to provide
- Full name, date and place of birth, nationality.
- Country of habitual residence.
- US Social Security number and Spanish affiliation number, where applicable.
- Dates of activity and addresses of the self-employed activity in both countries.
What it's used for once you have it
The Certificate of Coverage is attached to your US tax return as proof that US self-employment tax isn't owed on that income, since it's already covered under the agreement. In Spain, it serves as proof to the TGSS that no contributions are due under the Spanish system during that period.
How it differs from the SSA-1099
Don't confuse this with the SSA-1099: that's the annual statement of pension income from US Social Security, used by retirees for their Spanish tax return. The Certificate of Coverage, by contrast, is for active workers (self-employed or employed) wanting to avoid double contributions while working — completely different documents and procedures, even though the same agency (SSA) handles both on the US side.
Common mistakes
- Not requesting it before starting to pay into the Spanish system, which can mean having to later claim back contributions already paid.
- Confusing E/USA-1bis (self-employed) with E/USA-1 (employees) when filling out the request.
- Not submitting it to the Spanish TGSS when requested as proof — the English-language certificate issued by the SSA usually needs sworn translation for Spanish procedures.
Related pages
- Spain-Canada Social Security agreement
- Spain digital nomad visa
- US apostille: federal vs. state
- Sworn translation in Madrid · Sworn translation in Malaga
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