Portugal · NIF · Legal service
Get Your NIF Portugal Online — Fast & Legally Secure
Apply for your NIF Portugal online and skip the trip to a Portuguese tax office. A NIF (Número de Identificação Fiscal) — your Portuguese tax number — is required to open a bank account, sign a rental agreement, buy property, or start a business in Portugal. With our legal team based in Lisbon, you can get your NIF Portugal remotely in as little as 1–3 business days, with full documentation issued directly by Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira (AT).
- Since 2013
- 17,000+ clients
- 2,600+ Trustpilot reviews
- 1–3 business days
- Permanent — issued for life
- Remote, via Power of Attorney
- 100% money-back
What clients say
Three things to know before you apply
New to the process? Start with the detailed guide for non-residents.
Quick answers
How do I get a NIF Portugal online?
You submit two documents — proof of identity and proof of address — through our secure platform. Our legal team in Lisbon prepares a Power of Attorney, files your application with Autoridade Tributária, and sends you the official NIF certificate by email within 1–3 business days. See the official AT guidance for the underlying registration rules.
What documents do I need for NIF Portugal?
You need a passport (for non-EU citizens) 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 it take to get a NIF in Portugal?
Standard processing takes 1–3 business days from the moment we receive your complete documents and signed Power of Attorney. Express processing is available for urgent cases. Once issued, your NIF is permanent — Portugal does not issue temporary NIF numbers for non-residents.
Do I need a fiscal representative for NIF Portugal?
If you are a non-EU citizen, Portuguese law requires you to appoint a fiscal representative when applying for a NIF as a non-resident. EU/EEA citizens are not required to appoint a representative — they can use electronic notifications instead. Our service includes 12 months of fiscal representation Portugal at no extra cost for non-EU applicants. The official rules are published by AT in the Representante Fiscal section of info.portaldasfinancas.gov.pt.
How much does NIF Portugal cost?
Pricing depends on your processing speed and whether you need fiscal representation. All packages include legal review of your documents, official filing with Autoridade Tributária, and the issued NIF certificate. See the application form for current pricing — we offer a 100% money-back guarantee if we cannot deliver your NIF.
The full FAQ below answers 23 more questions — from documents for kids’ NIFs to cancelling fiscal representation.
Browse the full FAQWhat’s included in your NIF Portugal service
| Step | What we handle |
|---|---|
| Document review | Legal review of your identity and address documents by our Portuguese legal team |
| Power of Attorney | POA preparation and remote signing — no notary visit |
| Filing | Filing your application directly with Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira |
| Your NIF certificate | The official AT document, delivered by email as a signed PDF |
| Fiscal representation | 12 months of fiscal representation for non-EU applicants, included |
| Portal das Finanças | Password (Senha de Acesso) request handled on your behalf |
| Support | Email support throughout the process |
| Guarantee | 100% money-back guarantee if we cannot deliver your NIF |
Our legal team
E-Residence has helped people relocate and register with EU tax authorities since 2013. Our Lisbon-based team of Portuguese lawyers and tax consultants reviews every application before it is filed with Autoridade Tributária. 17,000+ clients have used our services, and our work is rated by 2,600+ Trustpilot reviews.
We are not Estonian e-Residency
A note on the name: E-Residence is not connected to Estonia’s e-Residency program. We are a legal services company with a team in Lisbon, specialising in NIF Portugal, NIE Spain, and related residency documents. Estonia’s e-Residency offers a different service — a digital identity for non-Estonians to start an EU company in Estonia. If you are looking for Estonian e-Residency, you can find it at e-resident.gov.ee.
Who needs a NIF Portugal
A Portuguese NIF is the entry point to almost every administrative and financial procedure in Portugal. You need one if you plan to:
- Open a Portuguese bank account or sign a rental or property purchase agreement
- Apply for a Portuguese visa — D7, D8 Digital Nomad, or Golden Visa
- Register a Portuguese company or start freelance activity
- Connect utilities — electricity, water, internet — in your name
- File Portuguese tax returns or request a Senha de Acesso for Portal das Finanças
The NIF itself is issued by Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira and is permanent. To see exactly what the issued document looks like, view an example of what your NIF document looks like.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does NIF Portugal mean?
NIF stands for Número de Identificação Fiscal — Portuguese for Tax Identification Number. It is a unique 9-digit number issued by Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira (AT), Portugal's tax authority. Every individual interacting with the Portuguese tax system — residents, non-residents, businesses — needs a NIF.
How can I obtain NIF Portugal as a foreigner?
Foreigners can obtain NIF Portugal in three ways: by visiting a Serviço de Finanças office in Portugal, by appointing a fiscal representative in Portugal who applies on your behalf, or by using a remote service like E-Residence that handles the entire process. Remote application requires a Power of Attorney signed by you.
Can EU citizens get a NIF Portugal without a fiscal representative?
Yes. EU and EEA citizens can apply for a NIF Portugal without appointing a fiscal representative, provided they activate electronic notifications (NCEPF) through Portal das Finanças. All tax correspondence from Autoridade Tributária is then sent electronically rather than to a fiscal representative's address.
What is a temporary NIF Portugal and do I get one?
Portugal does not issue temporary NIF numbers for non-residents. Once your application is processed by Autoridade Tributária, you receive a permanent 9-digit NIF that you keep for life. Some Portuguese services may issue temporary internal numbers for in-person registrations, but these are not official NIFs.
What can I do with my NIF Portugal once I have it?
Your NIF lets you open a Portuguese bank account, sign a rental or purchase agreement, register utilities in your name, apply for a Portuguese visa (D7, D8 Digital Nomad, Golden Visa), start a business or freelance activity, and file Portuguese tax returns. You also use it to request a Senha de Acesso — your Portal das Finanças password.
Is E-Residence connected to Estonia's e-Residency?
No. E-Residence is not connected to Estonia's e-Residency program. We are a legal services company with a team in Lisbon, specialising in NIF Portugal, NIE Spain, and related documents. Estonia's e-Residency is a different service — a digital identity for non-Estonians to start an EU company in Estonia, available at e-resident.gov.ee.
What is a NIF?
NIF, more commonly referred to as simply "Contribuinte", stands for Número de Identificação Fiscal — the Number of tax identification — and is the first step and the cornerstone for any economic activity in Portugal. It is required for both residents and non-residents of Portugal that wish to open a bank account, do any kind of deals with real estate, acquire a residence permit, contract an internet provider, and more. If you are considering moving to Portugal, conducting business activities, or even simply staying for prolonged periods of time — registering a NIF is a priority.
Does a NIF ever expire?
No, the NIF does not have an expiration date and is issued for life. If you lose your NIF document, you are not assigned a new number — you request a new copy of the document for the same number.
Which authority issues NIF?
The document is issued by Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira (Tax and Customs Authority) and contains the tax and financial information of its holder. For non-residents it is required to have a local tax representative.
What is this "tax representation"?
Non-resident foreigners appoint a local tax representative in order to file for a NIF — required by law for non-EU citizens, optional for EU/EEA citizens. If you do not need it, let us know before your application. Our processing fee covers the registration and tax representation for 1 year.
Can I change a fiscal representative/address/data in my NIF?
Yes — after you get residency you can change the address in your NIF, so you will not need a fiscal representative anymore. You can do it yourself on the official website Portal das Finanças or at a tax office. You may also set up an online notification channel (email and Portuguese phone number) and ask the tax office to withdraw the representative.
How long does tax representation last?
Our tax representation lasts 1 year, and it can be renewed. At the end of that year, your fiscal representation is renewed automatically. You may cancel this service after you become a Portuguese tax resident and update your address with the tax office — see how to cancel fiscal representation.
How can I make a NIF for kids?
Required documents for a NIF for minors: a scan of the child's passport, a birth certificate translated into English or Portuguese with an apostille (we offer the translation and notarization service), scans of both parents' passports, and the NIF certificate of at least one parent.
Can I get a password for "portal das financas"?
Yes, it is possible to request a password for the portal. In this case it is sent to us as your representative, and we forward it to you. See how to receive your NIF password for more detail.
How will I receive my NIF?
In 100% of cases we send NIFs online in PDF format. As soon as we receive your document, we send it to the email and WhatsApp you provided. When you apply, you can also add mail delivery.
What if I had a temporary NIF?
Issuing a permanent NIF can be done after cancellation of the temporary NIF — for this reason it can take more time than usual.
How do I get proof of address in Portugal?
The most widely accepted document in Portugal is the Atestado de residência (from your Junta de Freguesia) or the residence permit, also known as the Título de residência. See what you can use as proof of address in Portugal.
How can I check my NIF number in Portugal?
The NIF, or Número de Identificação Fiscal, is your nine-digit Portuguese taxpayer number. You can check it at any tax office, or by logging in to your personal tax account on Portal das Finanças.
How can I get a free NIF in Portugal?
The default way of getting a NIF number is to go to your closest Finanças (Portuguese tax office) and apply for it in person. This path is completely free for EU/EEA residents.
Can you work in Portugal without a NIF?
A foreign person, resident or non-resident in Portugal, who works and pays taxes in Portugal must have a Tax Identification Number (NIF).
Do you need a Portuguese address for NIF?
No, you do not need a Portuguese address. If you are residing outside Portugal, you need to have a tax representative (we also offer it).
Do I need a NIF to buy a house in Portugal?
Yes — in order to buy a house in Portugal you will need a Tax Identification Number (NIF).
Is TIN and NIF the same in Portugal?
Yes. Also known as a Taxpayer Number, or referred to simply by the Portuguese initials NIF, it is composed of nine digits and is used by the Treasury to identify people with taxpaying obligations.
Guides and resources
Your NIF Portugal, handled start to finish
Share your details and our Lisbon legal team will prepare and file your NIF Portugal application with Autoridade Tributária.
Get NIF Portugal online- Upload two documents online
- Sign the Power of Attorney remotely
- Receive your official NIF certificate by email
Reviewer and Sources
Reviewed by: Yuri Lehenkyi · License No. 62802L · Last updated: May 2026
This information is for general guidance about obtaining a NIF Portugal and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Procedural references reflect the rules of Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira as of May 2026. For specific situations, consult a qualified Portuguese tax professional.
Official sources
- Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira — info.portaldasfinancas.gov.pt
- Portal das Finanças — portaldasfinancas.gov.pt