In today’s international hiring environment, companies in Spain often need to onboard European Union citizens on short notice before they have obtained a Spanish Foreigner Identification Number (NIE). This raises a common question: is it possible to register an employee under these circumstances?

The answer is yes. However, the process involves several practical considerations that employers should take into account to ensure compliance with labor and Social Security requirements.

First, the employee must have a Spanish Social Security Number (NUSS), which can be requested either by the employee or by the employer through the General Treasury of the Spanish Social Security. In practice, employers typically handle this application and, once the NUSS has been issued, the employee must be registered with the Social Security system within a very short timeframe.

Registration with the Spanish Social Security system can be completed without an NIE, as the RED System allows EU citizens to be identified using a valid passport. Once the employee obtains their NIE, however, it must be reported to the Social Security authorities so their records can be updated.

In addition, the employer must notify the Spanish Public Employment Service (SEPE) of the employment contract within ten days of the employee’s registration. Where an NIE is not yet available, the authorities provide alternative temporary identification mechanisms.

From a practical perspective, obtaining the NIE as soon as possible is particularly important for completing Form 145 (Employee Tax Information Declaration). Employees must have an NIE before the first payroll is processed in order to complete this form correctly. Therefore, although hiring is possible without this identification number, obtaining it promptly is strongly recommended.

EMS provides comprehensive support throughout these processes, helping companies plan and manage the onboarding of international talent while ensuring full compliance with Spanish labor, immigration, and Social Security regulations.

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