Tesorería General de la Seguridad Social (TGSS) letter explained in English
Social Security treasury. Registers workers and collects Social Security payments (cotizaciones), for example the monthly fee of self-employed people (autónomos).
Letters you may get
- Reclamación de deuda — unpaid contributions
- Providencia de apremio — the debt now has a surcharge and can be collected by force
- Resolución de alta o baja — your registration as a worker or autónomo
- Regularización de cuotas — your autónomo fee is adjusted to your real income
What to do
- You can see your contributions and debts, and pay them, online in Import@ss with Cl@ve or a digital certificate.
- Autónomos must get Social Security letters electronically. Check your notifications often.
- Find the deadline. Look for “plazo”, “hasta el”, “días hábiles”.
- Write the reference number from the letter on everything you send back, and keep copies.
- If you disagree with a decision, object in writing before the deadline (“recurso de reposición”, “reclamación económico-administrativa”, “recurso de alzada”, “reclamación previa”, “alegaciones”, “oposición”, “recurso”). See the template.
Words you may see
- Resolución
- Official decision.
- Apremio
- Enforced collection. You didn’t pay in time, so a surcharge is added.
- Cl@ve
- The government’s login system. You sign in with a PIN, a permanent password or the Cl@ve app.
- Cuota
- A set amount to pay, for example the monthly Social Security fee. In tax letters it means the tax amount.
Questions
What is the Tesorería General de la Seguridad Social (TGSS)?
Social Security treasury. Registers workers and collects Social Security payments (cotizaciones), for example the monthly fee of self-employed people (autónomos).
How long do I have to answer a letter from the Tesorería General de la Seguridad Social (TGSS)?
It depends on the letter. Look for words like “plazo”, “hasta el”, “días hábiles” — they mark the deadline. In Spain, deadlines usually count from the day after the letter is delivered (notificación). A paper letter is delivered on the day you receive it; an electronic one when you open it, or 10 calendar days after it was made available. We estimate 3 days for post — use the real date if you know it. To object, the letter usually names the way to do it (“recurso de reposición”, “reclamación económico-administrativa”, “recurso de alzada”, “reclamación previa”, “alegaciones”, “oposición”, “recurso”).
Can I read a Tesorería General de la Seguridad Social (TGSS) letter in English?
Yes. Take a photo of the letter with Briefly. It explains the letter in plain English, finds the deadline and the amount, and gives you ready-made replies in Spanish. Your letter never leaves your device.
Other offices in Spain
Agencia Tributaria (AEAT) · Instituto Nacional de la Seguridad Social (INSS) · Servicio Público de Empleo Estatal (SEPE) · Oficina de Extranjería / Policía Nacional · Ayuntamiento · Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT) · Organismo de recaudación / Diputación · Agencia tributaria autonómica