How to Get a Portuguese NIF Number (Online or In-Person)

If you’re moving to Portugal, you’ll need a número de identificação fiscal. This is another word for a tax identification number, and you’ll sometimes hear people call it a número de contribuinte as well. Generally, though, most people just say NIF.

What is a NIF? Portugal’s ‘NIF’ number is a personal, unique nine-digit number that is used in Portugal for official transactions e.g. opening a bank account, buying or renting a property, dealing with customs, starting a job, or signing up for a contract (e.g. home internet, utilities, or a phone contract).

If you are a Portuguese national with a valid citizen’s card you will likely already have a Número de identificação fiscal. However, if you’re a foreigner who hasn’t lived in Portugal yet (often referred to as a ‘non-resident’), you will need to request one.

There are two main ways that you can obtain a Portuguese NIF number:

1. The in-person route: At a Financas or Loja de Cidadão office in Portugal.
2. The online route: Through a law firm or relocation company, such as Anchorless.io (we compare multiple options below).

However, it all depends on where you’re resident (i.e. legally living) as this determines whether you will need a fiscal representative.

You’re resident outside of the EU/EEA

(e.g. you live in the US, Canada, the UK, Switzerland, or Argentina)

If you’re moving to Portugal, you may be required to get this number for your residency visa application, if you’re applying for a visa (e.g. the D7, golden visa, digital nomad visa).

While the default way to obtain this number is to go to a Financas or Loja de Cidadão office in person, this isn’t practical if you live in somewhere like the US, Canada, or India. As such, you will most likely need to use a law firm or online company. And regardless of whether you get a NIF online or in-person, you need a fiscal representative.

Comparison Table

We’ve analysed these companies to see which companies offer 1) the lowest prices and 2) the fastest turnaround, which we discuss in the comparison table below.

• Cheapest: We found two very affordable options:
  • The very cheapest option is NIFPortugal.pt at €69, however, you do have to request the password from Finanças yourself.
  • The second-cheapest option, with 12 months of fiscal representation and no need to request the password yourself, is just €5.25 more at €74.25 (Anchorless.io) when you use the discount code PORTUGALIST25. If you really want to save money, get Anchorless’ NIF and bank account bundle.
• Fastest Turnaround: The fastest service was 24-48 hours (Lisbob.net), using the premium rush service. This costs extra, but could be worth it if you have a deadline.
• Best-rated: Bordr is probably the best-rated on TrustPilot due to their excellent customer service, and it has the most reviews due to being the first company to start offering this service.

Will you need more than one number?

As each NIF number is unique, each individual residing in Portugal needs their own number, including children (although children don’t normally require one until they enrol in school). This means couples can’t share a numero de identificacion fiscal like they can a bank account.

Steps to getting a NIF online

1. Choose a company from the comparison table (note: if they offer a discount code, be sure to take a note of it).
2. Click the relevant link where you will need to enter your details and upload relevant documents. These typically are:
   • Passport (or National ID card if you’re an EU citizen).
   • Proof of address such as a driver’s licence, bank statement, or utility bill.
   • If your documents are in a language other than Portuguese or English, you may be asked to provide a certified translation.
3. Pay for the fee, which ranges from around €80 to several hundred, depending on the company. .
4. Wait to receive your fiscal number, which is typically delivered over email.

Do I need ongoing fiscal representation?

Most companies and lawyers charge an annual fee for fiscal representation, and the first year of fiscal representation is usually included. The exception is Novomove.

However, the rules have changed and, in many cases, you won’t need to pay for ongoing fiscal representation.

For example:

• If you are planning to move to Portugal, you won’t need a fiscal representative once you get to Portugal.
• If you don’t move to Portugal, and don’t have financial ties to Portugal such as a house or car, you don’t need a fiscal representative.
• If you are an EU/EEA resident, you don’t need a fiscal representative as you’re allowed to receive communication from Finanças at your EU/EEA address.

All of the companies listed have a way of cancelling fiscal representation if you do not require this. Be sure to do so before the end of the year, otherwise they are likely to charge you for a second year. As mentioned, Novomove does not charge for fiscal representation.

Note: even though you may no not need a fiscal representative, you do need to register for electronic notifications through the Finanças portal.

Getting a NIF in-person (as a non-EU/EEA resident)

If you do come to Portugal to get your number and go to either a Finanças or Loja de Cidadão, you should expect to pay €10.20. If you hire someone to be a fiscal representative, you will also need to factor in that cost.

See the steps below for getting a NIF in Portugal by visiting Finanças or Loja de Cidadão office.

Getting a NIF through a friend or family member

If you know someone who’s already resident in Portugal and who’s willing to be your fiscal representative, they can request a fiscal number online for you through ebalcão. According to the ePortugal website, there is no cost to doing this.

This can also be done through the consulate by paper, e.g. via the Boston Consulate, however, the online approach is probably going to be easier for most.

Non-EU/EEA residents need a fiscal representative when requesting a NIF number. This can be a company such as Bordr or it could be an individual, such as a friend or family member, who’s resident in Portugal and willing to act as your fiscal representative. – Kathleen Lo, Bordr

You’re resident in an EU/EEA country

(e.g. you live in France, Germany, Ireland, or Norway)

If you’re resident (legally living) in an EU/EEA country (e.g. France or Norway), getting a NIF number is usually more straightforward.

 

• If you’re moving to Portugal: You can probably wait until you come to Portugal and then request one at a Finanças or a Loja do Cidadão office in Portugal. There should be no cost involved, you will receive your number on the spot, and you won’t need someone to come with you and act as your representante fiscal.
• If you need one before then (e.g. you’re buying a property from abroad): If you decide to obtain a NIF remotely (i.e. from outside Portugal), you will need to use a person or company to obtain one on your behalf. This could be someone you know, but most likely will be a lawyer or company.

Nine times out of 10, EU/EEA residents simply go to Finanças or a Loja do Cidadão office and request a NIF there after moving to Portugal.

You do not need a Portuguese address to request this number, although you will need to change your address to your Portuguese address when you move to Portugal via the tax office’s website, Portal das Finanças.

How to Get a NIF in Portugal

1. Work out whether you need a fiscal representative: If you are a non-EU/EEA resident, you do. If you are an EU/EEA resident, you don’t.
2. Find a Finanças or Loja do Cidadão office near you. You can find your nearest Loja do Cidadão offices here, but Google Maps is often easier for finding Finanças or Loja do Cidadão offices.
3. You do not always need an appointment for this, although many offices allow you to request one. If you are in a large city such as Lisbon or Porto, you should pick a day when you are able to get there early due to the long queues.
4. Make sure you have all the required documentation, such as
   • Passport (or National ID card if you’re an EU citizen).
   • Proof of address such as a driver’s licence, bank statement, or utility bill.
   • If your documents are in a language other than Portuguese or English, you may be asked to provide a certified translation.
5. When you get there, take a senha (ticket) and wait your turn. The button you need to press will probably say NIF, número de contribuinte, or número de identificação fiscal.
6. Wait until your number is called and then explain that you are here for a NIF.
7. While it’s likely that the person you speak to will speak English, the people who work in Finanças are not known for being helpful so try to make an effort in Portuguese.

In theory, it should be as easy as walking into a Finanças or Loja do Cidadão office and requesting one. In practice, it isn’t always and it may take a lot of your time, particularly in large cities, as some Portugalist readers share. However, this is a good introduction to what bureaucratic life in Portugal can be like (it varies from place to place).

I tried visiting a Finanças office but was told that in order to get a NIF I would need to make an appointment. In order to do that, someone with a NIF would need to make an appointment for me. Now knowing anyone, I tried another Finanças office (the head office in Porto) and was directed to the Loja de Cidadão. While they were very helpful, they only offer a limited number of tickets per day and even though I waited for hours, I eventually gave up. I came back the next morning at 5:55 AM … and that was just in time to get a prime spot near the door. The queue was about 100m+ at 9:30 when they opened (on a Saturday). From then on it was easy, but I wished I had just ordered one online beforehand.

Roman

As mentioned, the quality of service varies from place to place and some people have a much easier experience.

I walked in, no prior appointment and got the NIF within 5 mins. Although making an appointment is required, but I was lucky that they attended to me. Nonetheless, this is my personal experience.

Prince

The ease of getting a NIF will greatly depend on which Financas office you go to. If you go to one in Lisbon or Porto, you will need to get there before 8 am and there will be long, long lines. If you can go to a Financas in a small town or use one of the online services. Even if you’re an EU resident, it’s not worth the pain of queuing.

Tom

Not all financas offices are created equal. We found the Tavira office to be incredibly difficult. Couldn’t get an appointment just to get a NIF number for 5 weeks. People were unfriendly and unhelpful. We went to another financas and it was a much better experience.

Tim

If you’re visiting a Finanças or Loja do Cidadão office in a smaller town, it’ll probably be easier. The offices of both departments in Lisbon and Porto are known for having long queues.

Documents & Requirements

• Passport (or National ID card if you’re an EU citizen)
• Proof of address such as a driver’s licence, bank statement, or utility bill.
• Someone to be your fiscal representative, if you’re a non-EU/EEA resident.
• Fee, if a non-EU/EEA resident, which is €10.20.

What about plastic cards? The Portuguese Tax Authority no longer issues cards with the number printed on them at its Finanças offices, but you can get a file that you can print out yourself on the e-fatura website. The 2-page PDF issued by Finanças would be the best document to use as proof of your number.

Using Your NIF

Once you are a tax resident in Portugal, it is a good idea to use your tax identifier even when it’s not required (it’s not required at the supermarket, for example). Using it can reduce your tax bill in certain categories (e.g. for groceries, haircuts, and at the mechanic’s). You will also receive one entry into a weekly draw for every €10 you spend.

There is no requirement to carry this number on you, but it is a good idea to have it memorised (in Portuguese ideally rather than English). Most people recite the 9-digit number in 3-digit blocks. An example number would be 231-574-290.

Number	Portuguese Translation	Pronunciation
0	Zero	zeh-ro
1	Um	oon
2	Dois	doh-eesh
3	Três	treh-sh
4	Quatro	kwa-troo
5	Cinco	cin-koo
6	Seis	say-eesh
7	Sete	set
8	Oito	oy-too
9	Nove	noh-vee

Alternatively, you can print a copy of your cartão de contribuinte from Portal das Finanças. This will have a barcode that the cashier can scan and will save you from having to give out your tax identification number each time.

You can check what your number is by logging into your personal tax account on Portal das Finanças or if you’ve forgotten it, you can visit a Finanças office.

Most people get asked for a NIF number when shopping in Portugal. If you’re just visiting as a tourist, you don’t need one for groceries or similar purchases. However, if you sign up for a contract (e.g. home internet) or make a purchase like a house or car, you will need one.

Tax Implications

If you obtain a Portuguese NIF you won’t automatically have tax obligations in Portugal or be required to file a Portuguese tax return. However, even if you haven’t made Portugal your country of residence, you may have tax obligations in Portugal if you have purchased a property or car in Portugal, for example.

However, it’s important to note that changing the address associated with your tax number from your non-Portuguese (e.g. your address in the US) to a Portuguese address (e.g. your new address in Portugal) can be construed as changing your tax residency to Portugal. For this reason, you should only register a Portuguese address within the Finanças Portugal when you want to be considered a Portuguese tax resident. An accountant can advise on when is best to do this.

Leaving Portugal

At some point you may decide to leave Portugal or to sell a property, leaving you with no financial ties there.

Your number does not expire and does not need to be renewed, however, it also cannot be cancelled. However, as of 2022, you no longer need an ongoing fiscal representative if you have a NIF, don’t reside in Portugal, and don’t have any tax obligations here (e.g. owning a property).

If you’ve already left Portugal, you should update your address so that you won’t be considered a tax resident in Portugal anymore. If you don’t update the address associated with your personal tax number, you might be liable for personal income tax in Portugal. You can update your address at Portal das Finanças.

Useful Words & Phrases

• Resident: If you’re legally living somewhere (e.g. the USA) you’re considered a resident there (e.g. a resident of the USA).
• Non-Resident: If you aren’t living somewhere, you’re considered a non-resident. If you see the word non-resident, it usually refers to people not living in Portugal as opposed to not living somewhere else.
• Fiscal Representative (representante fiscal): A person living in Portugal (or company) that acts as your intermediary between you and Finanças (the Portuguese tax authority). If you have a non-EU/EEA address, you will need a fiscal representative. This person (or company) is responsible for passing on communications from Finanças to you. See our article on fiscal representatives.
• Citizen: This normally refers to where you hold citizenship, and is often (but
• EU: The European Union, which is a union of member states (such as Germany and France). Following Brexit, the UK is no longer a member of this union.
• EEA: The European Economic Area. Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway are in the EEA but not the EU.
• Número de contribuinte: Another word for this number. At the supermarket, the cashier might ask contribuinte?, meaning do you want to give me your tax number. What she is asking is whether you want to add your Portuguese tax number to the receipt.
• Finanças: The Portuguese tax authority. Like the IRS in the USA or Inland Revenue in the UK.
• Loja de Cidadão: A one-stop shop for government and essential services. In these shops you can find Social Security, Tax and Registration services, as well as EDP, Galp or CTT services, among other entities. You can find your nearest Loja de Cidadão here. As well as the Loja de Cidadão, Portugal also has places called Espaço de Cidadão, which are stripped down version of the Loja de Cidadão and so offer less services.

Other Numbers

There are several personal identification numbers in Portugal, such the NISS (social security number) and número de utente (healthcare number).