Are you moving to Portugal? If so, you’ll need to take a number of administrative steps (see this article). One of these is obtaining a Portuguese social security number called NISS: a compulsory formality, especially if you wish to work in Portugal.

Be careful not to confuse the NISS (social security number in Portugal) with the Numero Utente (health number in Portugal).

• The NISS number is the Portuguese social security number (also known as the Numero Segurança Social), and consists of 11 digits.
• The Utente number is the health number (also known as numero SNS or numero de saúde), and comprises 9 digits. To obtain it, go to your nearest Saúde center.

In the first part, I’ll explain how to obtain the NISS, the social security number in Portugal, and in the second part, how to obtain the Utente number, the health number in Portugal.

IMPORTANT REMINDER: the European social security card is intended for short-term travel, not for settlement in a European country.

Part 1: Obtaining the NISS, Portugal’s social security number

1 : Who can apply for the NISS, social security number in Portugal, and where can I apply?

You can apply for a Portuguese social security number (NISS):

• By foreign citizens, in person, at your nearest Segurança Social office. Please note that appointments are required. To make an appointment, call 210 548 888 or 300 088 888.
• By the employing company when you are about to be hired. In this case, the company acts as the future worker’s legal representative and applies by email to the Segurança Social office located in the area of the company’s headquarters.
• By foreign students coming to study in Portugal.

Health in Portugal

2 : How can I obtain my NISS social security number in Portugal?

CASE 1: Would you like to apply for an NISS yourself, and are you a foreign national from the EU, a European Economic State (EEA) or Switzerland? To apply for an NISS, social security number in Portugal, you need to :

• Present valid identification,
• Complete form Mod RV 1006 – 2022 DGSS (Assignment of Social Security Identification Number – Foreign Citizen). This form is available at www.seg-social.pt Direct link here.
• Submit the following data: Full name, Date of birth, Place of birth, Nationality, Gender, Marital status, Identification document number from your country of origin, Residence, Tax identification document number (NIF). (Reminder here of how to obtain the famous TIN – see article)

CASE 2: Do you want to apply for an NISS yourself, and are you a foreign national from outside the EU? To apply for the NISS, Portugal’s social security number, you need to :

• Present your passport or residence permit,
• Complete form Mod RV 1006 – 2022 DGSS (Allocation of Social Security Identification Number – Foreign Citizen). This form is available at www.seg-social.pt
• Provide the following information: Full name, Date of birth, Place of birth, Nationality, Gender, Marital status, Identification document number from your country of origin, Residence, Tax identification document number (NIF). (Reminder here of how to obtain the famous TIN – see article)

CASE 3: Are you a foreigner going to work for a company in Portugal?

Don’t worry about this: your employer will take care of registering you with social security. However, for your children and spouse, you’ll have to do it yourself. To apply for the NISS, the social security number in Portugal, the employer must send :

• Complete form Mod RV 1006 – 2022 DGSS (Assignment of Social Security Identification Number – Foreign Citizen).
• Complete form PA-12-V01-2022 (Declaration of authorization to third parties or presentation of a power of attorney). In this case, the employer acts as the future worker’s legal representative, which is why this form is required.
• Submit a copy of the worker’s identity card. Please note that since the request is being made through a third party, the copy must be authenticated.

CASE 4: Are you a foreigner who is going to be self-employed inPortugal (called Recibo Verde in Portugal)?

• Register your business with the Finanças(see Freelance in Portugal article),
• Declare the type of activity you intend to carry out,
• The Finanças will then forward your declaration to the Portuguese social security system, which will then inform you of your registration.

CASE 5: Are you a foreigner coming to study in Portugal?

Portuguese social security undertakes to issue the NISS to foreign citizens who present proof of enrolment in a Portuguese educational establishment. Please note that if you are in Portugal for an unpaid internship, the rules are different, and applying for and obtaining a Portuguese social security number is very complicated.

Link to form here

Part 2: Obtaining your Numero Utente, your health number in Portugal

1 – What is the Utente number?

As I said in the introduction, it’s important not to confuse the Portuguese social security number (NISS) with the health number (Numero Utente).

The Utente number is your health number, which will enable you to :

• visit a health center (equivalent to a general practitioner in France),
• access public hospitals,
• get vaccinations, etc.

Without this number, only private clinics will admit you, at your own expense of course.

Before starting the process of obtaining your utente number, please check two points:

• you must have a Portuguese tax number, the famous NIF, without which nothing can be done in Portugal (see article here) ,
• have a European Union resident’s certificate, the CRUE,
• you’d better also have your NISS, which we mentioned earlier.

Without the first two documents, it is not possible to apply for your utente number.

2 : How do I apply for my Utente number?

Since the pandemic, you can apply for your Utente number online, by emailing the health department in your area. Here’s a link to the email address of your nearest health center. In the email requesting your Utente number, please enter :

• Full name,
• Nationality,
• Date and place of birth,
• Passport / ID number,
• Tax number (NIF),
• CRUE number,
• Full Portuguese address,
• Portuguese telephone number.

The following documents must also be sent as attachments:

• Copy of passport / identity card
• Copy of NIF
• Copy of NISS (social security number, if you already have one)

Link to your nearest saude center

In conclusion

I hope this article has given you a good understanding of how to obtain a social security number in Portugal, and the difference between the NISS and the Utente number

Here are two other articles on the blog related to healthcare in Portugal, which may be useful and complementary

• The healthcare system in Portugal
• Health insurance in Portugal in 8 questions

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