How to get a NIF in Portugal

What a NIF is

The NIFPortugal's nine-digit taxpayer number, issued by the Tax and Customs Authority (AT). You need it for leases, bank accounts, employment and most contracts. — Número de Identificação Fiscal — is your taxpayer number in Portugal. It is issued by the Tax and Customs Authority (AT), usually just called FinançasThe everyday name for the Tax and Customs Authority (AT) and its local tax offices (Serviços de Finanças).. It has nine digits and stays the same for life, whether you are registered as resident or non-resident.

Registering as a taxpayer is mandatory for everyone — Portuguese or foreign, resident or not — who has tax obligations in Portugal or wants to exercise their rights with the Tax Authority.

Who needs one

In practice you will be asked for a NIF almost as soon as you start organising your life in Portugal:

• signing a lease or buying property;
• opening a bank account;
• employment contracts and registering with social security;
• phone, internet and utility contracts;
• paying taxes or filing a tax return.

How to apply, step by step

1. 1

   Step 1: Check which route suits you

   You can apply in person at a tax office or Loja do Cidadão, or online through a legal representative who acts for you with a power of attorney. If you are not in Portugal yet, the representative route is the one that works from abroad.

2. 2

   Step 2: Prepare your documents

   Gather the originals listed in What to bring. Documents in a foreign language must be translated and certified. Simple photocopies are accepted only together with the originals.

3. 3

   Step 3: Book an appointment

   In-person service requires an appointment booked in advance. On the Portal das Finanças go to Contactos → Atendimento por Marcação and choose the option for NIF requests for people without a Portuguese Citizen Card. Select Assunto: Identificação and Subassunto: Pedido de NIF, and enter your ID document number under Observações.

   You can also book by phone with the Tax Authority's call centre (CAT) on +351 217 206 707, working days from 9:00 to 19:00.

4. 4

   Step 4: Go to the appointment

   Bring the original documents to the Serviço de Finanças or Loja do Cidadão you booked. If everything is in order, the number is assigned to you there.

5. 5

   Step 5: Or apply online through a representative

   A legal representative (procurador) can submit the request through the e-BalcãoThe online help desk on the Portal das Finanças, where you can submit questions and requests to the Tax Authority. on the Portal das Finanças, attaching copies of your documents, their own ID and a power of attorney. The signature on the power of attorney must be certified, unless it is given to a lawyer or solicitor. A legal representative is not the same as a tax representativeA tax representative who deals with the Tax Authority on behalf of a non-resident. Whether you need one depends on your situation — check the Portal das Finanças.: if one person is both, the power of attorney must say so.

6. 6

   Step 6: After you have a NIF

   Keep the document that shows your number. A foreign citizen's NIF is first registered with non-resident status; when you become tax resident in Portugal, ask Finanças to change your address and tax status. To use the Portal das Finanças online you sign in with your NIF and a password, or with the Chave Móvel DigitalThe government's digital login (CMD), linked to your phone number. It can be used to sign in to public portals, including the Portal das Finanças.. Check

What to bring

The Tax Authority asks for originals or certified copies; simple photocopies are only accepted together with the originals.

Resident or non-resident?

If all the conditions are met, a foreign citizen's NIF is first assigned with the status of resident abroad (non-resident). When you later meet the conditions to be a tax resident in Portugal, you have to ask Finanças to change your address — your Morada fiscalYour tax address registered with Finanças. Official letters are sent there, so keep it up to date when you move. — and your tax status.

Keep your address up to date: official letters from the Tax Authority are sent to the address on file.

Common mistakes

• Turning up without an appointment. In-person NIF requests must be booked in advance.
• Bringing only photocopies. Simple copies are accepted only with the originals.
• Forgetting translations. Foreign-language documents must be translated and certified.
• Confusing legal and tax representatives. The person who applies for you online is a legal representative; a tax representative is a different role.
• Not updating your address after you move to Portugal or between flats.