How to Obtain the NIF in Portugal (2026): In-Person, Online, and by Phone

The NIF (Número de Identificação Fiscal, previously called "número de contribuinte") is the first document you will need in Portugal. Without a NIF, you cannot open a bank account, sign a rental contract, issue green receipts, request anything at the Finanças, and even obtaining a health user card becomes complicated. The good news: it is free and relatively quick.

What the NIF is For

Before explaining how to obtain it, here is a list of what will require the NIF as soon as you arrive in Portugal:

• Open a bank account (all banks require it)
• Sign a rental or property purchase contract
• Sign an employment or service provision contract
• Purchase a mobile phone, internet, electricity, water, gas
• Request a health user card from the SNS
• Enroll a child in school
• Buy a car
• Receive green receipts or issue invoices
• Declare IRS (personal income tax)

In summary: practically any measurable transaction in Portugal requires the NIF.

Who Can Obtain the NIF

Anyone, resident or not. You do not need to have residency authorization to request it — tourists, students on vacation, and even people who have not yet arrived in Portugal can obtain a NIF. The NIF is merely a tax identifier; it does not confer residency or work rights.

There are three main situations:

1. Tax resident in Portugal (you live here or intend to live) — direct request at the Finanças
2. Non-resident, but with EU/EEA/Swiss citizenship — direct request at the Finanças (the address you provide is your current address)
3. Non-resident from a third country (Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Mozambique, etc.) — mandatory to appoint a tax representative residing in Portugal. This can be a friend, family member, lawyer, or a paid service.

Where to Request

Option 1: In-Person at the Finanças (most common)

Go to any Serviço de Finanças (it does not need to be the one in your area). Most services do not require prior appointment, but if it is a large center (Lisbon, Porto), you may have to wait 1-3 hours. Take a ticket at the entrance, select "Atendimento — Cadastro".

Required Documents:

• Identification Document:
  • EU Citizen: passport or identity card
  • Non-EU Citizen: passport (valid tourist visa is sufficient, you do not need a residency visa)
• Proof of Address:
  • In Portugal: rental contract, utility bill (water/electricity/internet) in your name, declaration of address from a family member/friend + copy of their ID
  • Abroad: bill/contract with your current address
• For non-EU without an address in Portugal: signed declaration of tax representation + copy of the representative's ID

In 10-20 minutes you will leave with the NIF (on paper) and can start using it immediately.

Cost: Free.

Option 2: Online (Portal das Finanças)

If you already have a NIF and want other things (check data, make changes), the portal serves that purpose. To issue a NIF for the first time online, the process is limited and usually requires a Digital Mobile Key — which in turn requires a NIF. Chicken-egg situation. For the first NIF, in-person is simpler.

Option 3: By Phone (e-balcão)

Call 217 206 707. More useful for clarifying doubts than for issuing documents.

Option 4: Before You Arrive (via representative)

If you are still in your country, you can:

• Hire a Portuguese lawyer (~50-150 EUR)
• Ask a family member/friend in Portugal to represent you (free)
• Use online services (E-Residence, Bordr, etc.) for ~50-100 EUR

You will have the NIF before you land — useful for opening a bank account upon arrival.

Documents to Keep After Obtaining the NIF

You will receive a proof on A4 paper with the number. Take a PDF photo and save it in various places (email, drive, mobile) — you will need to request it frequently. The physical PVC card (contributor card) stopped being issued in 2015; now just the proof + an identification is sufficient.

NIF vs NIPC: What is the Difference?

• NIF — individuals (9 digits, starts with 1, 2, or 3)
• NIPC — legal entities / companies (also 9 digits, starts with 5 or 9)

If you are going to open a company in Portugal (e.g., sole proprietorship, single-member Lda), the NIPC is different from your personal NIF.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Not updating your address when you move — the Finanças will send mail to the old address, and you will not receive it. This can be done for free online or in person.
2. Requesting NIF with a hostel or Airbnb address — it works, but you need to update it as soon as you have a fixed address.
3. Paying "consultants" to obtain NIF in person — it is free in Portugal. If you do not speak Portuguese, ask someone from the community or an association like CNAIM, Casa do Brasil, or JRS Portugal for help.
4. Confusing NIF with citizen card — the citizen card (CC) is only for Portuguese citizens; you also have the NIF as a foreigner.

Next Steps

With the NIF in hand, the next documents you will want are:

• NISS (Social Security) — necessary if you are going to work
• User card/number — for the National Health Service (see the guide)
• Residence authorization (AIMA) — if you stay more than 3 months (see the types of cards)

Welcome to Portugal.