Step 1 · Arrival paperwork
How to get a NIF in Portugal
The NIF is your Portuguese tax number. It is free, it has nine digits, and almost everything else in your move depends on it.
What the NIF is for
NIF stands for Número de Identificação Fiscal. You need it to sign a lease, open a bank account, get a phone contract, buy a car or a home, and register as a freelancer or company owner. Shops also ask for it on receipts so your expenses count in your IRS return.
Who can get one
Anyone can, resident or not. The difference is whether you need a fiscal representative.
| Where you live when you apply | Fiscal representative |
|---|---|
| Portugal | Not needed |
| Another EU or EEA country | Not needed; you can name one if you want help with letters from the tax office |
| Outside the EU and EEA (UK, US, Brazil…) | Generally required while you live abroad |
Once you live in Portugal and update your tax address, the representative is no longer needed.
How to apply
- In person at any Finanças office (Serviço de Finanças) or a Loja do Cidadão. Bring your passport or EU ID card and proof of your current address.
- Online through the Portal das Finanças contact form (e-balcão), sending scans of the same documents. Replies can take a few weeks.
- Through a representative who applies for you with a power of attorney. This is the usual route from outside the EU.
Once you arrive
- Change your tax address to your Portuguese address. This is what makes you resident in the tax records, and it starts the clock for IFICI.
- Get your Portal das Finanças password. It is posted to your tax address, so request it after the address change.
- Register for Social Security (NISS) before you start working.
Common mistakes
- Keeping the foreign address after you move. Letters keep going abroad and you can miss deadlines.
- Starting to invoice before registering your activity at Finanças.
- Thinking about IFICI only after the 15 January deadline has passed.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a NIF before I move to Portugal?
Yes. Anyone can get a NIF, resident or not. If you live outside the EU or EEA when you apply, you generally need a fiscal representative until you move.
How long does it take to get a NIF?
In person at a Finanças office or Loja do Cidadão it is usually issued the same day. Online through the Portal das Finanças contact form it can take a few weeks.
Is a NIF the same as a residence permit?
No. The NIF is only a tax number. It does not give you the right to live or work in Portugal.
What should I do with my NIF once I arrive?
Change your tax address to your Portuguese address. That makes you resident in the tax records and starts the clock for IFICI.
Ask a specialist
Tell us where you are in the move. A Certified Accountant replies within two working days. Questions about visas, housing or insurance go to a vetted partner, only with your OK.