I live on Lanzarote, not Tenerife, but I presume the system is the same? Usually when you are employed the company does all the paperwork for you, so you don't need to go and physically get your social security number yourself!!!! I was given a stamped form, with my number on (and it also is on my nomina). I took the form to the local Health Centre who then issued the health card and allocated my doctor.

HTH

Hi Babe,
Take someone who speaks spanish with you to the offices in Los Cristianos. Take passports, NIE's etc, sometimes they want them, sometimes not!!! Get there by 08.30 when they open if you can because it gets really busy. Go to the guy at the counter, tell him what you need and he will give you a numbered ticket. Then when your number comes up on screen dont shout bingo but go to the desk indicated.