The NIF (Número de Identificação Fiscal, sometimes called Número de Contribuinte) is Portugal’s tax identification number, and it’s the starting point for almost anything official in the country — renting or buying property, opening a bank account, signing a phone contract, or registering for taxes and social security. If you’re planning to move to Portugal, getting your NIF is typically the very first practical step.
Your NIF stays the same for life, even if your tax residency status changes later — moving from non-resident to resident status, for example, doesn’t require a new number. That makes it worth getting sorted early and correctly, even before you’ve decided on every other detail of your move.
Through our partner Nuno Da Silva, we help clients based anywhere in the world obtain their Portuguese NIF remotely, without needing to travel to Portugal first.
For more background on what the NIF is used for day to day, see our full guide to the Portuguese Tax Number (NIF).
Costs for this service depend on your specific situation — for example, whether your documents need certified authentication or translation. Reach out for a straightforward quote before you commit to anything.
Identification document (citizen card or passport)
Proof of address (public deed, rental contract, utility bill such as electricity, water or gas)
If your residence is in a country that does not belong to the European Union you’ll also need:
Power of Attorney granting the Tax Representative powers to represent you before the Tax Authority.
No. As a non-resident, you can obtain your NIF remotely through a tax representative, without travelling to Portugal. This is exactly what this service is built for.
Yes. Your tax representative can act as your point of contact for tax purposes until you have your own Portuguese address, at which point you can update your registered address directly with the tax authorities.
No. Your NIF is permanent and doesn’t change if your tax residency status changes — whether you move from non-resident to resident or the other way around.
Yes, in almost all cases. Banks require a NIF to open an account, and landlords typically require one before signing a rental contract, since it’s used on the contract itself and for any related tax filings.
With complete documentation, processing typically takes around 4 working days. Delays can happen if documents are missing, need authentication, or require translation, or if the tax authorities themselves are experiencing longer processing times.
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