Book a Cita Previa at Social Security (INSS/TGSS)

What to have ready

1. DNI/NIE or passport. The physical ID on the day of the appointment.
2. Mobile with signal to receive SMS (Cl@ve PIN and confirmation).
3. Email for the receipt.
4. Postal code of the office you want.
5. Número de la Seguridad Social (NAF) if you already have one (commonly required for TGSS).

Documentation

• For INSS (benefits): whatever the procedure requires: solicitud/jubilación, informes médicos and medical reports for incapacity, libro de familia and IBAN for IMV, certificados de empresa if applicable.
• For TGSS (affiliation/cotisation): vida laboral/datos de cotización (printed is better), IBAN, alta/baja paperwork if you’re handling those, and any formulario they asked for.
• Proof of the appointment with the locator (PDF/screenshot). They sometimes ask for it at reception.

Step by step

1. Go to Cita Previa for INSS: https://sede.seg-social.gob.es/wps/portal/sede/sede/Inicio/AtencionCiudadano/CitaPrevia. For TGSS, use Importass: https://importass.seg-social.es/citas.
2. Choose access with Cl@ve/certificado or without identification. Cl@ve autofills and lets you manage things better.
3. Pick the exact reason: jubilación, incapacidad, IMV (INSS) or afiliación, altas/bajas, data changes (TGSS). If you pick the wrong one they’ll make you book again.
4. Enter your postal code; the system shows offices and dates (in-person or phone). Pick day and time.
5. Confirm phone and email. You’ll get a locator by SMS/email. Save it.
6. If there are no slots, try other nearby CPs or submit via Registro electrónico: https://sede.seg-social.gob.es/wps/portal/sede/sede/Inicio/RegistroElectronico. For affiliation, check if you can do it fully in Importass.
7. Arrive 10 minutes early with everything. If it’s a phone appointment, have your documents handy and don’t ignore unknown numbers at that time.

Tricks that save time

• Check early in the morning: that’s when new slots are released. Cancellations also appear during the day.
• Change the postal code to nearby neighbourhoods/towns. Sometimes there’s a slot 10 minutes away.
• For TGSS, many procedures are 100% online in Importass with no appointment needed.
• Make a checklist of what you need and bring copies. It avoids pointless return trips.
• If the site errors, try Chrome/Edge, accept cookies and disable blockers.

Common mistakes that derail the process

• Booking at INSS when you need TGSS (or vice versa). They’ll reject it.
• Not saving the locator and then being unable to cancel/change.
• Turning up without the procedure documents expecting them to explain everything there: they’ll send you back.
• Entering the wrong mobile number: you won’t get the SMS and you lose the appointment.
• Waiting weeks without looking for alternatives: use Registro electrónico if it’s urgent or change office/postal code.