Applying for a NIF in Portugal

Whether or not you’re a resident in Portugal, you’ll need a tax number – or Número de Identificação Fiscal (NIF) – if you’re carrying out any official or legal activities in the country. Find out exactly what the Portuguese tax authorities use the NIF for and how to apply for one.

For expats managing finances across multiple countries, having an efficient way to move money internationally can be crucial when dealing with tax obligations. Multi-currency accounts like Wise support multiple currencies, allowing expats manage their finances easily. More on that later.

Sections include:

The NIF in Portugal

The Portuguese NIF is the tax identification number for all Portuguese citizens, residents, and non-residents carrying out business or making official purchases that involve paying tax in Portugal. Consequently, you will need to apply for an NIF in Portugal if you move to the country for any period of time. You will also need the number if you live outside Portugal and want to carry out a significant financial transaction, for example, buying property.

NIFs are issued by the Portuguese Tax and Customs Authority (Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira – AT). They consist of nine digits unique to each individual. You can find your NIF on all correspondence from the tax authorities. The number also appears on the citizen ID card for Portuguese citizens. In addition, non-citizens living in Portugal can order a taxpayer card (Cartão de Contribuinte) which features the NIF.

What information does the Portuguese government keep about me?

The NIF is used by the Portuguese Tax Authority to calculate your fiscal responsibilities in Portugal. You will need it for a range of official activities related to receiving income or paying taxes. Permanent NIFs for Portuguese citizens and residents last for a lifetime. Non-residents carrying out financial transactions in Portugal get a temporary NIF used for that particular activity. They will then need to apply for another temporary number if they engage in future activities.

If you are a Portuguese citizen, you can apply for a citizen ID card which includes the following information about you:

• Full name
• Nationality
• Gender
• Photo and biometric information
• Date of birth
• Height
• Signature
• NIF
• Social security number

Using your Portuguese NIF

You will need an NIF for a variety of different transactions in Portugal. These include:

• Buying and selling property
• Inheriting Portuguese assets in a last will and testament
• Opening a bank account
• Obtaining any kind of credit (for example, getting a mortgage or signing a mobile phone contract)
• Paying taxes in Portugal
• Receiving an income for work or business
• Attending a Portuguese university
• Receiving social security payments
• Setting up utilities or telecommunications
• Buying a car or applying for a driving license

There are no criminal sanctions for living in Portugal without an NIF. However, you will find it almost impossible to go about your day-to-day business as you won’t be able to do any of the above.

For those relocating to Portugal or managing finances across borders, international money transfers are often necessary for many of these transactions. 

Using services like Wise can help you avoid excessive fees and unfavorable exchange rates when transferring funds for property purchases, setting up utilities, or moving savings to your new Portuguese bank account. 

This is particularly valuable when you’re in the process of establishing your financial presence in Portugal but still have funds or income coming from abroad.

Who needs an NIF in Portugal?

Anyone living in Portugal and non-residents carrying out any of the transactions listed in the above section will need an NIF. This includes:

• Portuguese citizens
• Permanent residents
• Temporary residents, including workers, students, and family members
• Short-term visitors engaging in any of the listed activities
• Non-residents engaging in any of the listed activities from abroad
• Limited companies (see below section)

Short-term visitors and non-residents will receive a temporary NIF. If you move to Portugal for a longer period of time, for example, on a temporary visa, you may initially receive a temporary NIF before getting your permanent number.

How to apply for an NIF in Portugal

Citizens born in Portugal should automatically receive their NIF once they reach the age of 10. However, those moving to Portugal must apply for it. You can apply for a NIF in Portugal at any time in a variety of places. These include:

• Local office of the Portuguese Tax and Customs Authority
• At a local branch of a Citizen Shop
• At a counter that provides the Citizen Card

You can also use a service that will handle your application for you, such as:

• Anchorless
• Bordr

This is particularly useful if you are applying for an NIF as a non-resident from outside the country, as you need a tax representative with power of attorney to do this for you.

If you are a non-EU/EFTA national applying for Portuguese residency via the Golden Visa program, you can apply for your NIF at the same time.

The documentary requirements for an NIF in Portugal are fairly straightforward. You will need:

• Valid ID, which needs to be a passport or Portuguese residence document if you are a third-country national
• Proof of address, for example, a utility bill or rental contract
• Proof of power of attorney if a tax representative is applying for your NIF on your behalf

Application for the NIF in Portugal is free. However, if you want to purchase a taxpayer card that displays your NIF, this costs around €7. You can apply for a replacement (in Portuguese) if you lose this or it gets stolen.

Portuguese business tax numbers

If you start up a business in Portugal as a freelancer, sole trader, or unincorporated partnership, you can use your individual NIF for tax purposes. However, limited companies and other business forms that exist as a separate legal entity need their own NIF. This number for businesses is called the NIPC (Número de Identificação de Pessoa Colectiva). The NIPC also functions as a VAT number for tax purposes and consists of ‘PT’ followed by nine digits.

You will get your NIPC number when you register your business with the Portuguese Tax and Customs Authority and the National Company Registry Office (Registo Nacional de Pessoas Colectivas). It is also possible to apply for the NIPC online using a service such as nif.pt. You will typically need to provide:

• Business registration documents to prove that the business exists as its own legal entity
• Proof of business address
• ID of the person representing the business, for example, a passport or NIF, along with proof that they have authority to represent the business

Wise Business accounts provide features specifically designed for entrepreneurs operating across borders, including batch payments, multi-user access, and integration with accounting software. These features are particularly useful during the transition period while setting up your Portuguese business banking infrastructure and can help you manage payments to international suppliers or receive payments from clients abroad without excessive conversion fees.

Social security numbers in Portugal

While the NIF is used for tax calculations in Portugal, it doesn’t automatically grant access to social security benefits. For this, you will need to apply for a social security identification number (Número de Identificação da Segurança Social – NISS). Portuguese nationals don’t need to apply for a NISS as it is automatically assigned and appears on the citizen card. However, foreign residents will need to apply for one in order to access benefits such as the state pension and unemployment allowance.

The NISS consists of 11 digits. You can apply for the number yourself at either a social security district center or a local social security office (both links in Portuguese). You will need to provide a valid ID, such as a passport or residence permit, along with proof of Portuguese address. Alternatively, your employer or anyone with power of attorney can apply on your behalf. The application is free of charge.

Managing finances during your transition to Portugal

One of the challenges when relocating to Portugal is managing your finances during the transition period. You often need a NIF to open a bank account, yet you may need banking services to establish yourself in Portugal.

Wise offers multi-currency accounts with linked debit cards that allow expats manage their finances across borders. Here are a few ways Wise can helpful to move and manage your money during your relocation to Portugal:

• Multi-currency account: Hold, manage, and convert between 40+ currencies including Euros without having local bank account yet
• Wise card: Make purchases and ATM withdrawals in Portugal at the mid-market exchange rate
• International Money Transfers: Send money internationally using the mid-market exchange rate with low fees
• Euro account details: Receive euros conveniently, or in other major currencies like USD, and GBP
• Large transfers: Transfer large sums for property deposits or purchases with discounted transfer fees (for transfers over 20k GBP or equivalent in other currencies)

Useful resources

• Portuguese Tax and Customs Authority (Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira) – issues NIFs in Portugal
• ePortugal – government portal for public services