How to sign a document with the electronic ID card

The Spanish electronic ID card (DNIe) includes a certificate for signing. With it you can sign documents with full validity, just as with a digital certificate. Here’s what you need.

MultiDocs team2 min readUpdated 29 October 2026With official sources

In 30 seconds

  • You need the DNIe, its PIN and a card reader (or an NFC phone), plus AutoFirma.
  • If you’ve forgotten the PIN, you can change it at the update points in police stations.
  • A qualified signature has the same legal effect as a handwritten one (eIDAS, art. 25.2).

What you need

  • An electronic ID card with active certificates. If they’ve expired, you can renew them at the update points in the offices that issue the DNI.
  • The DNIe PIN. You were given it in an envelope when the card was issued. If you’ve forgotten it, you can change it at those same update points.
  • A card reader connected to your computer, or an NFC phone with the compatible official app if your DNI is version 3.0 or later.
  • The electronic ID software and AutoFirma installed.

Official figures

80.7%

of people aged 16 to 74 dealt with government services online in the last year.

Source: INE, 2025
Art. 25.2

of the eIDAS regulation: a qualified signature is equivalent to a handwritten one.

Source: EUR-Lex

Signing step by step

  1. Put the ID card in the reader.
  2. Open AutoFirma and choose the document.
  3. Click “Firmar” (Sign) and choose the DNIe signing certificate.
  4. Enter the PIN and save the signed document.

What if the signer doesn’t know how to use it?

It happens a lot: many people don’t have a card reader, can’t remember their PIN or aren’t comfortable with technology. If the document doesn’t require a certificate, ask them to sign with MultiDocs: they get an email, open the link on their phone and sign with their finger, with a certificate for every signature.

FAQs

Can I sign with the DNIe on my phone?

With DNI 3.0 and later it’s possible on NFC phones using the compatible official app.

I’ve forgotten my DNIe PIN. What do I do?

You can change it at the DNI update points in the offices that issue it.

Official sources

We checked each source on 29 October 2026. If you spot outdated information, write to us at info@multidocs.es.

More guides

Signing with a certificateHow to sign a PDF with AutoFirmaSign a PDF with your digital certificate or DNIe.Signing with a certificateHow to sign a document with a digital certificateHow to get one and sign a PDF with it.Signing with a certificateHow to sign documents with Cl@veFor dealing with government services.