NIF in Portugal : the first step to live in Portugal and begin your new life
Ready to move to Portugal ? Before doing anything, you will need to get the precious NIF, without this NIF you cannot do anything in Portugal. The NIF in Portugal is a really important. What is this famous NIF ? Why do you need NIF in Portugal ? How do I get a NIF in Portugal ? How can I make money with the NIF ? You have been asking me these questions many times and today I am replying to you in this article.
What is the NIF in Portugal ?
The NIF : Número de Identificação Fiscal also called “número de contribuinte” is the Portuguese tax identification number.
It is based on 9 digits and all people living in Portugal, local and foreign, must have it.
It will probably be the first thing you need to do when you move to Portugal and without it you will be blocked for all administrative procedures in Portugal.
NIF in Portugal
Why do I need a NIF in Portugal ?
It is impossible to make an exhaustive list, but as previously mentioned, this number is really a key :
> For administrative procedures:
- To rent a property,
- To buy a property,
- To sell a property,
- To open a bank account,
- To create a company,
- To pay your taxes,
- To make your employment contract,
- To buy a car,
- To take various subscriptions,
- …
> To obtain tax reductions according to your expenses : I will tell you more about this later in the article.
Loja do cidadão
How to get the NIF in Portugal ?
To get a NIF you need to have an address in Portugal, but to have an address, you need a home, and to have a home, you need a NIF. As you can see, it is finally not very easy. There are two solutions available to you:
- Option 1: be represented by someone
Ask a person who is a fiscal resident in Portugal. This tax “representative” will go to the Finanças (Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira) in the aim you can obtain a provisional NIF that will allow you to sign the purchase or rental of your property in Portugal. In this case, you will need to provide the following documents to obtain your NIF : a valid passport, proof of residence from your country of origin (invoices…) and the deed of appointment of your Tax Representative in Portugal.
Then, you can proceed and buy or rent your property in Portugal with this provisional NIF.
Finally, once you have your address in Portugal. Go to the Loja do Cidadão closest to your address (the one you will depend on) in order to obtain your definitive Portuguese NIF.
- Option 2 : the European residence certificate
Go to a Loja do Cidadão to obtain a European residence certificate.
Once this certificate is obtained, go to the Finanças to obtain a provisional NIF.
With this provisional NIF, buy or rent your home in Portugal.
Once you have obtained your accommodation and address in Portugal, you must return to the Loja do Cidadão closest to your accommodation to obtain a certificate of residence in Portugal.
Finally, return to the Finanças to apply for your definitive NIF with your certificate of residence.
In the context of the pandemic, the “Lojas do Cidadão” are now re-opened but only by appointment. So please make an appointment before going there. The list of Lojas do Cidadão and Finanças here.
- Option 3 : to pay a lawyer in Portugal who can create your NIF for you
How to make money with NIF in Portugal ?
“Quer contribuinte na fatura?” – everywhere you will pay in Portugal, the cashier will ask you this question : at the restaurant, at the grocery store, in the shops… It’s to know if you want your tax number to be mentioned on your ticket. But why put the NIF on your invoice / receipt ?
In Portugal, you can get tax reductions depending on your expenses. You can get back up to €250 per category of spendings. Among the categories we find for example : catering, transport, shopping … This sum to be recovered can be important after one year and will be deducted from your taxes. Knowing that the taxes in Portugal are deducted at source, it is therefore possible that the Portuguese State will give you money back as a result of the expenses you have made throughout the year.
On the other hand, to encourage people to ask for a bill and to fight against the black market, the Portuguese government created a lottery with the bill numbers, they call it “fatura da sorte” (the bill of luck). So the bills are drawn and the winners get money or cars.
Fatura da Sorte
Conclusion
As you can see, getting your NIF if you move to Portugal is really really important. Obviously this is not the only administrative step you will have to do but it is probably the first one to do and the most important. For more information about NIF, here is the official Portuguese website: https://eportugal.gov.pt
Receive each month our latest blog articles and updated selection of properties.
* indicates requiredFirst Name *Last Name Phone Number Email Address *Current location Centre of interest *
- Buying a property in Portugal
- Renting a property in Portugal
- Nothing special at the moment
Arrival date in Portugal How could we assist you? * Contact me please: *
- As soon as possible
- Later
Area of interest in Portugal *
- North
- Lisbon
- South of Lisbon
- Algarve
- Other
Confidentiality: please ensure you have read and understood our Terms of Use & our Privacy Policy
Articles Populaires
dernières annonces
Single-storey house with swimming pool
Just a few meters from the magnificent bay of São Martinho do Porto, lies this…
Condominium apartments facing the sea
São Martinho do PortoBeautiful apartments in São Martinho do Porto “Janela da Baía”! Located in the heart of…
Villa already finished and ready to move in: 4-suite bungalow on 750m2 plot in a quiet area of Azeitão
Rua de ParisHouse already finished and ready to move into! Close to shops and services, quick access…
Magnificent house with basement, indoor and outdoor pool in Verdizela/Aroeira
Verdizela/AroeiraNew turnkey project: magnificent single-storey villa, 498m2 in surface area, high-end finishes on a 1875m2…
Goodwill 200m from the beach and 10km from Lisbon!
If you’re looking for a pastry shop / restaurant, fully equipped and close to the…
This T3 apartment in the private Jardim dos Navegantes condominium offers security and privacy.
parque lusoThe condominium offers a large swimming pool, a gym and a magnificent garden with pond…
Luxury apartment on the edge of a nature reserve
Your modern, spacious apartment between the beach and Lisbon’s capital. – Beach 5min – Golf…
If you’re looking for a fully equipped café/tea room close to the beach, you’ve come to the right place!
Business in full operation, includes the establishment’s customer portfolio and takeaway service, with a total…
House T3 1 10 min from Lisbon and 5 min from the beaches
PêraREADY TO MOVE IN! New T3 1 ready-to-live-in house in a quiet, rural neighborhood with…
Inscrivez-vous à notre newsletter
Recevez chaque mois les derniers articles de notre blog "la vie au Portugal" et notre sélection de biens immobiliers à vendre.