Social Security Card?

We applied for and received social security numbers. These were on a sheet of paper. Does anybody know if we should be receiving an actual card with this number on it? 

Hi Charlie - I don´t think so.  I applied about 3 years ago and just got a piece of paper.

You should but they take an eternity to get there!

Joan

 you only get a card if you are actually working in spain

 This may vary according to the Regional Authorities, but in general, after registering with the Social Security you get only a document that shows this registration.

 You then need to apply for the "Tarjeta Sanitaria" which is a card that shows you are entitled to medical assistance by the Social Security system and registered with your Regional Community, by signing the proper application form.  The Tarjeta Sanitaria will generally come in the mail a few weeks after filing the application form.

Check with your local SS Authorities since the procedure may vary in each one.

 Google "Instituto Nacional de Seguridad Social" for more information in Spanish about the general Social Security system.

Maybe it depends where you live - we live in Murcia province and got our health cards within about 3 weeks of registering at the Social Security office. After the trip to the Social Security office to register as self employed we then went to our local health centre and showed the paperwork we had been given from the social security office and all the other usual stuff (residencia, padron, passport etc.) We were able to use facilities/have treatment immediately but had to show a piece of paper until the cards arrived. All in all very efficient in our case.