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How to get a NIF

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Why would I need it?

The NIF is essential for various reasons, including:

  • Tax Identification: It serves as a tax identification number, linking you to your tax records in Portugal.
  • Financial Transactions: Required for most financial transactions, including opening bank accounts and making payments.
  • Legal and Administrative Purposes: Used for legal and administrative processes, such as contracts and registrations.
  • Access to Services: Many public services require the NIF for identification and access.
  • Business Operations: Necessary for conducting business activities and fulfilling fiscal obligations.
  • Non-Residents: Important for non-residents to access tax credits and manage their taxes effectively.
  • Obtaining a NIF is a crucial step for anyone moving to Portugal or conducting business in the country. It ensures compliance with tax laws and simplifies the process of engaging with the Portuguese government and its services.

Step-by-Step guide

  • The first step is to make an appointment or visit one of the tax offices that issue NIF application passwords in the morning. Tax Offices of Lisboa 7 (R. Alfredo Soares 2-A, 1400-006) and Lisboa 10 (Av. Fontes Pereira de Melo 30B, 1050-217 Lisboa) distribute this type of ticket early in the morning.
  • Appointments can be made in person at some Tax Authority offices, at the tax authority's contact centre (217 206 707) and at some Tax Offices.
  • The Tax Authority requires that you first apply for a NIF as a non-resident in Portugal.
  • If your country of residence before coming to Portugal was outside Europe, you will need a tax representative. If your country of residence before coming to Portugal was a European country, this step can be skipped, and you don’t need a tax representative.
  • The tax representative can be a Portuguese citizen, a citizen with permanent residence or a company.
  • On the day of the appointment, you must present:
  • Original passport
  • Proof of address (utility bills, online shopping proofs, anything that shows your country-of-origin address in Portuguese or English)
  • Declaration of the fiscal representative accepting the fiscal representation (The tax representative can be a Portuguese citizen, a citizen with permanent residence or a company). - If the fiscal representative is not there in person, a certification of the document, done by a lawyer, is needed.
  • Once you have an expression of interest, Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) residency, SEF appointment or Residence Permit, you need to change your fiscal address to Portugal and become a fiscal resident in Portugal. The same steps must be followed as for applying for a NIF, but now without the need for a fiscal representative, and the proof of address to be presented must be Portuguese.

Documents Required

  • Original passport with Visa.
  • For Students University declaration or any Proof of the offer letter, Valid Passport and Visa.
  • Proof of address (utility bills, online shopping proofs, anything that shows your country-of-origin address in Portuguese or English)
  • Declaration of the fiscal representative accepting the fiscal representation (The tax representative can be a Portuguese citizen, a citizen with permanent residence or a company).
  • Copy of a Birth Certificate when the NIF is for a child. - if the document is not in Portuguese, English or Spanish is advisable to translate it.

News to be aware of (Recent/upcoming changes relating to the process): -

Potential scams to be careful of: This service has no added cost; any provider that charges for the service is only charging for the service, as there is no government tax to be paid.

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about this service.

No, the number is unique and once assigned does not change.

Where we are

Rua Carvalho Araújo 66-B
1900-140 Lisboa
Portugal

How to Get Here

  • Metro: Linha Verde (Green Line) - Intendente Station
  • Bus: 708, 730, 742, 794

Opening hours

Mon, Tue, Thu
10:00–12:30 & 14:00–17:30
Wednesday (Extended)
Until 19:30
Friday
Until 18:30
No appointment needed. Just walk in.

Contact info

+351 964 809 959