From this 16th of July, the Public State Employment Service (SEPE) allows individuals to identify themselves and sign unemployment benefit applications using an SMS code, email, or contrast data, without the need for a digital certificate or cl@ve.
Until now, applying for unemployment benefits without a digital certificate was a challenge for those without a DNIe or FNMT certificate. Starting today, 16th July 2026, that obstacle disappears. SEPE expands the methods for identification and signing all paperwork online without visiting an office, as published in the BOE.
How to identify yourself without a digital certificate
The big news is that you no longer exclusively need an electronic certificate or cl@ve. SEPE adds two much more accessible options: a one-time code via SMS or email and verification using contrast data, such as the number from a previous letter or personalised security questions.
No more card readers or endless configurations. Identification becomes as simple as using the code you already receive for your bank. If your mobile or email is updated in the database, you will receive a temporary key to confirm your identity.
How to sign the application without leaving home
The other major change is how to give your consent legally. Until now, without a digital certificate, you had to take the document to the office. Now, there are two new ways: signing via web form with a temporary code and signing by phone with a SEPE agent. During the call, they will send a code to your mobile that you communicate to the agent, and the process will be recorded, including a recording.
Additionally, the SEPE mobile app allows you to confirm everything in real-time, even while you are on the phone. These methods apply to all procedures for benefits and subsidies, from the initial application to submitting additional documentation or cancelling assistance.
SEPE removes the digital certificate barrier just when it is most needed: at the moment of applying for a benefit that prevents a drop to zero income.
Why this change matters more than it seems
Two years ago, SEPE already allowed unemployment registration from mobile devices, but for the first procedure, a digital certificate or a visit was still required. According to the INE's TIC equipment survey, a third of unemployed individuals did not have an active digital certificate, which blocked access to assistance during times of greatest vulnerability.
This expansion addresses that gap. The phone signing is a realistic nod to those who do not have a computer or prefer to speak with an agent. And the SMS codes or personal data reduce friction without losing security. This is not a cosmetic change: it is a door that truly opens for those who until now were hitting a wall with the cl@ve screen.
However, the measure does not create new aids or modify amounts. What it does is prevent someone from being left without payment for not having the chip installed. In a labour market characterised by constant temporality and precariousness, it is a significant advance that outpaces many electoral promises.
If you need to apply for unemployment benefits, access the SEPE electronic headquarters with your mobile or use the official app. The system will offer you the new options starting today. And if you have questions, the support phone line remains available.
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