How to Get a NIF Number in Portugal (Online & In Person)
最終更新日: 2026年5月25日
To get a NIF (Número de Identificação Fiscal) in Portugal, you either walk into a Finanças tax office with your ID and proof of address and have it issued the same day for free, or you apply remotely through a fiscal representative or the Portal das Finanças e-balcão service. Which route you take depends on your residency status and whether you're an EU/EEA national.
Last updated: May 25, 2026
What the NIF Is and Why You Need One
The NIF is a 9-digit tax identification number issued by Portugal's Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira (AT). Individual NIFs start with the digits 1, 2 or 3. Company NIFs (called NIPC) begin with 5. The number is permanent: it does not expire and cannot be cancelled, even if you leave Portugal.
You'll need a NIF for almost any meaningful interaction with Portuguese systems, including:
- Opening a Portuguese bank account
- Signing a long-term rental contract or buying property
- Getting a mobile phone plan, internet, or utilities in your name
- Starting a job or registering as self-employed
- Receiving a salary or paying taxes
- Registering for the national health service (SNS) and social security (NISS)
- Buying a car or getting a Portuguese driving licence
Portuguese citizens with a valid Citizen's Card already have a NIF allocated to them. The old Taxpayer's Card has been replaced by the Citizen's Card, including for Brazilian citizens under the 'Porto Seguro' Agreement.
A useful side benefit: purchases over €10 invoiced with your NIF automatically enter the weekly "Fatura da Sorte" government lottery, with prizes up to €35,000 in treasury bonds.
Who Can Apply and the Fiscal Representative Question
Anyone can request a NIF, but the requirements split into three groups.
Residents in Portugal. If you already have a Portuguese address and residence permit (or you're an EU citizen settled in Portugal), you apply directly at any Finanças office. No fiscal representative is needed.
EU/EEA non-residents. Under Ofício Circulado N.º 90057 (July 2022), residents of EU member states, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein are fully exempt from the fiscal representation requirement. This rule remains in effect in 2026. You can apply with just your national ID or passport and a proof of address from your home country.
Non-EU/EEA non-residents. This is where it gets stricter. You must either appoint a fiscal representative with residence in Portugal, or activate electronic notifications ("notificações eletrónicas") on Portal das Finanças to handle communications with the tax authority yourself.
Decreto-Lei n.º 49/2025, in force since July 1, 2025, tightened the rules further: non-EU/EEA residents must appoint a VAT-registered tax representative before issuing an invoice for an isolated act ("ato isolado"). Non-EU residents who create a tax link in Portugal (buying property, signing a work contract, etc.) have 15 days to appoint a fiscal representative. Missing that deadline can trigger penalties starting at €150 and reaching up to €7,500. Finanças may also block property transfers, freeze deposits, or mark your NIF as "inactive."
Once you spend more than 183 days per year in Portugal (Article 16 of the CIRS), you become tax resident and the fiscal representative obligation ends.
Document Checklist
Bring originals and, where possible, photocopies. Documents in languages other than Portuguese, English, French or Spanish must be translated into Portuguese. Any proof of address should be dated within the last three months.
Residents in Portugal:
- Civil identification document from your country of origin, or passport
- Residence permit (título de residência) or EU registration certificate
- Proof of Portuguese address (rental contract, utility bill, atestado de residência from the junta de freguesia)
Non-residents (EU/EEA):
- National ID card or passport
- Proof of address in your home country (utility bill, bank statement, official letter)
Non-residents (non-EU/EEA):
- Passport, including the visa for entry into Portugal or the Schengen Area if applicable
- Proof of address abroad
- Fiscal representative's details and acceptance declaration, or activation of electronic notifications
Children under 10 without a Citizen's Card:
- Birth certificate or equivalent
- Parent's or guardian's ID and NIF
Option 1: Applying In Person at a Finanças Office
This is the cheapest and fastest method if you're already in Portugal. The NIF is issued through a verbal declaration at the counter and assigned on the spot, the same day, free of charge.
Finanças offices typically operate Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 15:30. Some larger offices use a ticket system and you can walk in, but most now require an appointment.
Steps:
- Book an appointment. Call the AT Call Centre (CAT) on +351 217 206 707, working days 9:00 to 19:00. Online appointment scheduling at Portal das Finanças is only available to users who already have a NIF and login, so first-time applicants must use the phone line.
- Gather your documents. Use the checklist above for your residency category.
- Attend the appointment. The officer will input your details, ask you to confirm your address verbally, and print a paper with your new 9-digit NIF. Keep this paper safe: you'll quote the number constantly.
- Optional: request your Portal das Finanças password. Ask the officer to register you for online access. The password is sent by post to your registered Portuguese address, typically within 2 to 3 weeks.
If you have a Portuguese address, you can also request NIF, NISS (social security number) and SNS health number simultaneously at certain Loja de Cidadão branches. This saves trips and queues.
Option 2: Applying Online from Abroad
If you're not yet in Portugal, there are two practical online routes.
The Portal das Finanças e-balcão route
AT's e-balcão online service accepts NIF requests directly when the applicant lives outside the EU, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein. You submit scanned documents through the portal and AT processes them. In practice, expats report mixed success with this route: the interface is in Portuguese, the form is designed for users who already have a NIF, and response times vary. It's free but technically demanding.
EU/EEA residents applying from their home country generally cannot use e-balcão for first-time NIF issuance and instead either travel to Portugal or use a representative.
Using a fiscal representative or NIF service
Most foreigners applying from abroad hire a Portuguese lawyer, accountant, or specialised online service to act as fiscal representative and submit the application on their behalf. The representative attends Finanças (or files electronically) using a power of attorney you sign and scan back to them.
Typical pricing in 2026:
Service | Typical cost |
|---|---|
Online NIF service package (NIF + first-year representation) | €50–€150 |
Standalone fiscal representation | €100–€300 per year |
Premium fiscal representation (some firms) | €350–€550 + VAT per year |
Processing through a representative typically takes 7 to 10 working days from when they receive all your documents.
If you're moving to Portugal as part of a family relocation, it's worth also reading our notes on the Family Reunification visa process, since the NIF, visa, and address paperwork often need to be sequenced carefully.
Fees and Processing Time at a Glance
Item | Amount / time |
|---|---|
NIF application at Finanças | Free (as of 2026, per gov.pt) |
NIF issued in person | Same day |
NIF via fiscal representative | 7–10 working days |
Portal das Finanças password (by post) | 2–3 weeks |
Late appointment of fiscal representative (non-EU) | Fine €150–€7,500 |
Tax residency threshold | 183+ days per year |
Note on conflicting fee information: official Portuguese government sources state NIF applications are free of charge. Some third-party guides mention small administrative fees (around €10.20 for non-EU applicants or €6.80 for a physical tax card). The current official figure is free. Confirm at info.portaldasfinancas.gov.pt or gov.pt before paying anything extra at the counter.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Using a tourist address. Some online services let you use the provider's office as your fiscal address. That's fine for non-resident status, but once you move to Portugal you must update Finanças with your real address within 60 days. Failing to do so blocks tax filings and refunds.
- Forgetting to switch off the fiscal representative. When you become tax resident, you should formally cancel the fiscal representative on Portal das Finanças. Otherwise, the representative keeps receiving your tax correspondence and may keep charging annual fees.
- Missing the 15-day window. Non-EU buyers and workers who trigger a tax link without a representative in place are routinely fined. Sort the representative before signing any contract.
- Wrong name spelling. AT records your name exactly as it appears on your ID. If your passport uses a different transliteration than later documents, mismatches cause delays at banks and notaries. Check the printed slip before leaving the counter.
- Losing the Portal das Finanças letter. The password arrives once by post. If you don't claim it from your mailbox within the holding period, you'll have to request a new one and wait again. Have a trusted neighbour or doorman check the post.
- Assuming the NIF gives you legal residency. It doesn't. The NIF is purely a tax number. You still need a visa, residence permit, or EU registration certificate to live in Portugal long-term.
- Paying twice for representation. EU/EEA citizens are exempt from fiscal representation. If a service tries to sell you mandatory representation as an EU national, walk away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a NIF as a tourist?
Yes. Any individual can be issued a NIF regardless of visa status. You'll just be classified as a non-resident and may need a fiscal representative if you're non-EU/EEA.
Does the NIF expire?
No. It is permanent and stays with you for life, even if you leave Portugal.
Can I have two NIFs?
No. Each person is assigned exactly one. If you suspect a duplicate was created (this sometimes happens when people apply twice through different services), contact AT to merge the records.
Can my spouse and children share my NIF?
No. Every individual, including minors, needs their own NIF. Children's NIFs are linked to a parent or guardian.
Do I need to speak Portuguese to apply?
Not strictly. Many Finanças officers in Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve speak some English. Outside major cities, it helps to bring a Portuguese-speaking friend or to know basic vocabulary, especially for banking and address terms. Our overview of Portuguese banking vocabulary terms covers many of the same words you'll hear at the tax office.
What's the difference between NIF and NIPC?
NIF is for individuals (starts with 1, 2, or 3). NIPC is the equivalent for companies and legal entities (starts with 5). They use the same 9-digit format.
Do I need a NIF before I arrive in Portugal?
Not legally, but in practice yes. Landlords, banks, and even some mobile operators ask for it during the contract stage. Most people moving to Portugal get the NIF first, usually through a representative, then arrive and update their address.
How do I update my address with Finanças?
Once you have Portal das Finanças access, you can change your morada (address) online under "Dados Pessoais Relevantes." You can also do it in person at any Finanças office.
What happens to my NIF if I leave Portugal?
It stays active. You may want to switch back to non-resident status and either appoint a representative (if non-EU) or activate electronic notifications. Cancel direct debits and update your address abroad to avoid missed correspondence.
Getting comfortable with Portuguese paperwork, contracts, and the language officials actually use makes everything from this point easier. Migaku is built for learning languages from real native content, which is a practical way to pick up the Portuguese you'll meet at Finanças, the bank, and the supermarket. Try Migaku if you want to make your Portugal move smoother.