Expat Words · Practical guide
Certificado digital: A digital identity certificate
Understand certificado digital, what to check and the practical steps to take.
What does it mean?
A certificado digital is an electronic certificate used to establish identity and, where supported, sign electronically. FNMT offers a citizen certificate.
The certificate and its private key are sensitive. Do not send them or their password to an unverified helper.
An everyday example
Treat a certificate export containing a private key as sensitive access material, not an ordinary attachment.
What to do next
- Check which certificate the intended service accepts.
- Follow the issuer’s identity-verification and installation instructions.
- Test it on the official service before you need it urgently.
- Store any permitted backup securely and check renewal or revocation instructions.
A useful question to ask
Is this certificate accepted here, and how do I keep it secure?
Check the official guidance
FNMT: citizen electronic certificate
Sources checked on 8 September 2026. These explanations and preparation prompts are introductory, not complete procedural instructions or individual legal, tax or medical advice. Confirm current requirements with the responsible authority or qualified professional before acting.