Available in / Disponível em:
Back All Learning NotesLearning Notes

Applying For A Portuguese NIF (Tax Number)

apply for a nif portuguese tax number

Portuguese bureaucracy can be very complicated, but applying for a NIF is at least a relatively gentle introduction. If you are going to live and/or work in Portugal, this number will chase you around, as you’ll need it for any kind of contract (opening a bank account, buying or renting a house, setting up utilities, Internet, employment, etc.), so getting one should be very high on your to-do list.

What is a NIF number?

NIF stands for Número de Identificação FiscalTax Identification Number and it is commonly called Número de ContribuinteTaxpayer Number . It is a 9-digit unique personal identifier used for tax purposes. This tax number is necessary for both individual and collective persons/companies, but for companies it is actually called Número de Identificação de Pessoa ColetivaCollective Person ID Number or NIPC, instead of NIF.
Apart from its identification purposes, the NIF is also a way of fighting tax evasion and fraud. It has become very common for businesses to ask customers if they want to include their NIF on receipts because it results in deductions on their tax returns and may even grant them big prizes, as receipt numbers are drawn every month in a national fiscal lottery.
Quer contribuinte na fatura?Would you like your tax number on the receipt?

Who can ask for a NIF and where do you get it?

The NIF can be requested by anyone at any time, whether or not you’re a national or even a resident. However, if you’re a non-resident and non-EU/EEA citizen, you will need to designate a local representative (see more below).
You can ask for a NIF in person at any Serviço de Finançastax office (locations here), Loja do CidadãoCitizen Shop (locations here), or other designated offices or counters, such as those which provide national ID cards (Cartão de CidadãoCitizen Card ). The number itself is issued on the spot, totally free of charge. However, there may be fees involved if you ask for an official card with the NIF or if you apply for it as part of the process for obtaining your national ID.
You will have the same NIF number for life and no renewal is necessary, even if you never end up doing anything tax-related in Portugal. You do, however, need to renew your national ID card every few years, if you have one.

What do I need to bring to get my NIF?

Fortunately, the list of mandatory documentation is pretty short!

  • For nationals and EU/EEA citizens:
    • ID or Passport
  • For non-EU/EEA citizens:
    • Passport (ID not accepted)
  • For children without ID or passport (EU and non-EU alike):
    • Birth certificate

In addition to this, whether or not you’re residing in Portugal, proof of address will most likely be requested. This refers to your current permanent address and it does not need to be a Portuguese address. The proof can be as simple as a utility bill (note that TV or phone bills may not be accepted).
As mentioned before, if you’re both a non-resident and non-EU/EEA citizen, you will need a representante fiscallocal tax representative . Anyone with fixed residence in Portugal who accepts the responsibility is eligible, regardless of nationality, so you could ask a friend or someone who knows you in Portugal. The representative should come with you and also bring their own ID and proof of address. You/they should be asked to sign a power of attorney document.
And that’s it! The process itself is quick and easy. But don’t be surprised if you find a long line before you… Good luck!