How to request NIF and NISS for foreign citizens in Portugal
If you have foreign citizenship and want to live and work in Portugal you will need to register with the Finance Department and Social Security.
The registration with the Finance Department gives you a Tax Identification Number (NIF), which allows you to work, open a bank account or comply with tax obligations in Portugal.
Registering for Social Security gives you a Social Security Identification Number (NISS), which allows you to access rights such as support and subsidies, and to fulfill obligations related to contributions.
On this page you will find the following information:
A foreign person, resident or non-resident in Portugal, who works and pays taxes in Portugal must have a Tax Identification Number (NIF).
In the case of children and young people, the NIF is necessary for health and education expenses, for example, that the parents can include in their Personal Income Tax (IRS) declaration.
Necessary documents
To request the NIF, you need the following documents:
- Resident in Portugal - civil identification document from the country of origin or passport* and the residence permit
- Non-resident in Portugal - identification document or passport* and have a fiscal representative (individual or collective) with residence in national territory
- Child without passport - document proving the birth.
* If you present the passport, you must also present the visa for entry into Portugal or the Schengen Area.
How to request the NIF
By the person himself
- At the Tax Office - make an appointment for personal attendance through the Call Centre (CAT) - 217 206 707, working days, from 9am to 7pm
By representative
- In the e-balcon of the Finance portal - if the person for whom the NIF is requested lives outside the European Union, in Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.
How much does it cost to apply for a Tax Identification Number (NIF)?
Applying for a NIF is free of charge.
For more information, please see the page "Apply for Individual Taxpayer Identification Number".
Foreign nationals who do not have a Social Security Identification Number (NISS) can apply for one online. If you start working as an employee, the employer can also request the NISS from the Social Security.
It is also possible to request the NISS for children and young people.
Necessary documents
To request the NISS, you must
- fill out the form available on the Social Security portal
- attach a scanned copy of your ID document.
The following documents are accepted:
People from the European Union, European Economic State or Switzerland
- civilian ID document from the country of origin
Persons from a third country
- Passport
- Residence Permit
- Residence Authorization (temporary or permanent)
- other civilian identification document from the country of origin
Persons under International Protection (does not include Temporary Protection for persons coming from Ukraine) or without another identification document:
- Temporary Residence Permit (ARP)
- receipt proving the 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.
If the request is made by the foreign person's employer or legal representative
- Power of Attorney (original document) or Declaration of Authorization to Third Parties - PA12
- Identification document of the person who is the legal representative (Passport, Residence Permit or other civil identification document from the country of origin).
The employer acts as the employee's legal representative. This request is only for the purpose of assigning the NISS. The employer must communicate the employee's employment relationship to the Direct Social Security (SSD).
How to request the NISS
Online
- Access the Social Security portal
- Select the tab "I am a Citizen" or "I am an Employer
- Choose the option "Atribuição de Número de Identificação de Segurança Social (NISS)" (Social Security Identification Number Assignment)
- Click on "Form for requesting a Social Security Identification Number".
Collecting the NISS
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 collection can be done by the person himself, by presenting the ID 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 collected 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.
How much does it cost to apply for a Social Security Identification Number (NISS)?
Applying for the NISS is free of charge.