Apply for a Social Security Identification Number (NISS)

The Social Security Identification Number (NISS) allows access to rights and obligations in Social Security.

Persons with a citizen’s card do not need to apply for an NISS because this number already appears on the citizen’s card.

Legal persons (companies) also don't need to ask for the NISS. When companies register in the commercial register, the Tax and Customs Authority (AT) communicates it automatically and free of charge to the Social Security authority, and a NISS is assigned to the company.

Foreigners and Portuguese people with a lifetime identity card have to apply for the NISS online.

See also the 'How to request the NIF and the NISS for foreign citizens in Portugal' page in the following languages: Portuguese, English, Arabic, Hindi and Mandarin.

Service channels

  • Online

    Foreigners and Portuguese with lifetime ID cards can apply for the NISS online.

    Free of charge

    Fill out the form on the Social Security portal and attach the required documents.

Who can apply for a Social Security Identification Number (NISS)?

  • NISS can be requested by:

    • foreign persons
    • Portuguese with lifetime ID cards
    • legal representatives
    • employers (when an employment relationship is involved).

    People with a Citizen Card and legal entities (companies) do not need to request the NISS. It is assigned automatically.

What are the documents and requirements to apply for a Social Security Identification Number (NISS)?

  • The NISS request is made by filling out the form available on the Social Security portal, to which the necessary documents must be attached in each case.

    Foreign people

    • from the European Union, European Economic Area or Switzerland - must attach the civil ID document from the country of origin and its copy.
    • from third country - must attach Passport, Residence Permit, Residence Authorization (temporary or permanent) or other civilian identification document from the country of origin and its copy.
    • covered by International Protection (does not include Temporary Protection for persons coming from Ukraine) or no other identification document can attach one of the following documents
      • Temporary Residence Permit (ARP)
      • receipt proving application for ARP
      • receipt proving renewal of ARP
      • Residence Permit for Refugee - Subsidiary Protection
      • receipt for granting of a Residence Permit Refugee/Subsidiary Protection
      • receipt for Renewal of Residence Permit - refugee
      • receipt for Renewal of Residence Permit - Subsidiary Protection
      • declaration of international protection.

    Portuguese people without Citizen Card

    Present lifetime identity card.

    Portuguese People with Citizen Card

    The NISS is attributed to Portuguese citizens when the Citizen Card is requested.

    Request by the employer or legal representative of the foreign person

    NB: The employer acts as the future worker's legal representative. This request is exclusively for the assignment of the NISS, and the employer must communicate the employee's relationship with the Social Security Direct (SSD).

How apply for a Social Security Identification Number (NISS)?

The request can be made by you or by the employer, if you have started working as an employee.

Online

  1. Access the Social Security portal
  2. Select the tab "I am a Citizen" or "I am an Employer
  3. Choose the option "Atribuição de Número de Identificação de Segurança Social (NISS)" (Social Security Identification Number Assignment)
  4. Click on "Form for requesting a Social Security Identification Number".

After the request, you will receive an email confirming the creation of the NISS and instructions to collect the NISS in person at the Social Security services.

The collecting can be carried out by the person themselves, presenting their identification document.

The NISS can also be handed over to a lawyer who presents their professional card and original power of attorney. The NISS can also be picked up by another person, as long as that person presents the original power of attorney or Declaration of Authorization to Third Parties (Mod. PA-12) and the respective identification documents.

What is the price to apply for a Social Security Identification Number (NISS)?

It is free of charge.

What is the deadline for assigning the Social Security Identification Number (NISS)?

After the request for the NISS is submitted, it will be analyzed by the Social Security services, and there is no set deadline for the NISS to be assigned.

Old NISS conversion from 9 to 11 digits

As of 2004, the NISS were automatically converted from 9 to 11 digits.

If you have a lifetime ID card and don't know your 11-digit NISS, please consult it via Social Security Line (210 545 400 / 300 502 502, weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.) or at a Social Security desk.

Additional information

What is the support legislation?

  • Dispatch No. 4-I/SESS/2022 - Establishes the debureaucratization and speeding up of procedures in the relationship between social security and citizens, determining that the identification of foreign citizens in the social security system is independent of the existence of a link to the welfare system.

  • Law nr. 110/2009, dated September 16 (in its updated versions) - Code of the Contributory Regimes of the Social Security Welfare System.

  • Regulatory Decree no. 6/2018, of July 2 - Makes the sixth amendment to Regulatory Decree no. 1 -A/2011, of January 3, amended by Law no. 64 -B/2011, of December 30, by Regulatory Decrees no. 50/2012, of September 25, 6/2013, of October 15, and 2/2017, of March 22, and by Decree-Law no. 93/2017, of August 1, which regulates the Code of Contributory Regimes of the Social Security Welfare System.

  • Law 4/2007, of January 16 - Defines the general bases on which the Social Security system is based.