How to Get NIF Portugal Online as a Non-Resident

If you live outside Portugal and need a Portuguese tax number, here is how to get your NIF Portugal online without flying to Lisbon. A NIF — Número de Identificação Fiscal — is a 9-digit number issued by Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira (AT), Portugal’s tax authority. As a non-resident, you can apply for NIF Portugal remotely through a fiscal representative or a licensed service. This guide covers who can apply, what documents you need, how the process works for EU and non-EU citizens, and how long it takes. To start an application right away, see NIF Portugal online.

Quick answers

Who can apply for NIF Portugal as a non-resident?

Any foreign individual or business can apply, regardless of nationality. The process differs for EU/EEA and non-EU citizens: non-EU applicants must appoint a fiscal representative, while EU/EEA applicants can use electronic notifications instead. AT’s official English guide to non-resident registration is Apply for your NIF.

What documents do I need to apply for NIF Portugal?

A valid passport (non-EU) or EU national ID card, and a proof of address issued outside Portugal — a utility bill, bank statement, or driver’s license no older than three months. Full list on the document requirements page.

How long does the NIF Portugal application take?

With a complete document set and signed Power of Attorney, your NIF Portugal is typically issued by Autoridade Tributária within 1–3 business days. Express processing is available for urgent cases. The number is permanent — once issued, you keep your NIF for life.

Do non-residents need a fiscal representative for NIF Portugal?

Non-EU citizens are required by Portuguese law to appoint a fiscal representative. EU/EEA citizens are not, if they activate electronic notifications through Portal das Finanças. The official rules are published by AT in the Representante Fiscal section of info.portaldasfinancas.gov.pt.

How do I apply for NIF Portugal remotely?

The remote application has four steps: (1) upload your two documents online, (2) sign a Power of Attorney authorizing a Portuguese representative to file on your behalf, (3) we file your application with Autoridade Tributária, (4) you receive your NIF certificate by email as a signed PDF. The whole process takes 1–3 business days.

EU vs non-EU — which route is yours

If you are an EU/EEA citizen, you can apply without a fiscal representative by activating electronic notifications (NCEPF) through Portal das Finanças — all correspondence from Autoridade Tributária is then delivered electronically. You can still choose a representative for convenience, via our fiscal representation service.

If you are a non-EU citizen (third-country national), Portuguese law requires you to appoint a fiscal representative when applying for NIF Portugal as a non-resident. This includes UK citizens after Brexit. Without a fiscal representative, Autoridade Tributária will reject the application.

If you already live in Portugal as a tax resident, you are not applying as a non-resident — the process is different, and you can apply at a Serviço de Finanças office in person with a Portuguese proof of address. This guide does not cover that scenario.

Step-by-step process

Here is how to apply for NIF Portugal online as a non-resident:

1. Prepare your documents. A color scan of your passport or EU ID card (300 dpi, JPEG or PNG), and a proof of address issued outside Portugal in the last three months. See the detailed document requirements.
2. Submit your application. Upload both documents through our secure portal. We review them and flag anything that needs correcting before filing.
3. Sign the Power of Attorney. You sign a POA authorizing our Portuguese legal team to apply on your behalf. Signing is remote. For non-EU applicants, the POA also appoints us as your fiscal representation service for the first 12 months.
4. We file with Autoridade Tributária. Our team submits your application directly to AT. For most applications, AT issues the NIF within 1–3 business days. You receive your official NIF certificate by email as a signed PDF — here is what your NIF certificate looks like.

What you can do with your NIF Portugal

Once you have your NIF, you can:

• Open a Portuguese bank account
• Sign a rental or property purchase agreement
• Apply for a Portuguese visa (D7, D8 Digital Nomad, Golden Visa)
• Register a Portuguese company or freelance activity
• Connect utilities — electricity, water, internet — in your name
• Request a Senha de Acesso for Portal das Finanças
• File Portuguese tax returns