NIF Number in Portugal

The NIF is the Portuguese equivalent of a foreign citizen's Tax Identification Number.

It is a unique 9-digit code assigned by the Portuguese authorities to individuals and companies for tax purposes.

We will explain how to request the NIF for foreign citizens in Portugal.

We will also provide some useful tips on what to do if you lose your NIF or if it is stolen.

What is the NIF?

The NIF is the Portuguese acronym for "Número de Identificação Fiscal".

It is an identification number assigned by the Portuguese Tax Authorities to any person or company liable for taxes in Portugal.

The NIF is required for any financial transaction in Portugal, such as opening a bank account, signing a contract, buying a property, etc.

For foreign citizens living in Portugal, the NIF is also necessary to register with the Portuguese Social Security and to request a residence permit.

How to obtain the NIF

If you are living in Portugal and you need to request the NIF, you can do so at any Finanças office or at your local town hall (junta de freguesia).

If you are not living in Portugal, you can request a NIF from the Portuguese consulate or embassy in your country of residence.

You will need the form and provide proof of your identity ( passport or ID card) and of your address in Portugal.

Once you have the form filled out, you'll need to submit it along with your passport and a photocopy of your passport to the address indicated on the form.

After the application has been approved, the NIF will be issued and sent to the applicant's address. If everything seems to be in order, you should receive your NIF within 30 days.

If you don't receive it within that time frame, or if there are any problems with your application, you can contact the Portuguese consulate or embassy for assistance.

Once you have been assigned the NIF, you will be issued a taxpayer card (cartão do contribuinte), which you will need to present whenever you carry out any financial transaction in Portugal.

How to get the application form for the NIF?

1. Go to the NIF website and create an account.

2. Download the application form and fill it out.

3. Submit the form online or by mail.

What to do if you lose your NIF or if it is stolen?

If you lose your NIF or it is stolen, you should immediately contact the Portuguese authorities to request a new one.

You can do this by going to your local police station or by contacting the Portuguese consulate in your country.

Be sure to have all of the necessary documentation with you, such as your passport and proof of residency.

This process is the same as if you were requesting a new one for the first time.

They will cancel your NIF and issue you a new one. You will also need to provide them with a police report.

The process for requesting a new NIF can take some time, so be patient and follow the instructions of the authorities.

Conclusion

If you're a foreign citizen living in Portugal, you may need to request a NIF (Número de Identificação Fiscal) in order to comply with Portuguese tax laws.

We've outlined the steps you'll need to take in order to complete the process successfully.

While it may seem like a intimidating task, by following our instructions carefully you should be able to obtain your NIF without any problems.