What is a NIF?


NIF stands for Número de Identificação Fiscal and is the Portuguese taxpayer ID. It's needed for every procedure you need to do in Portugal, from opening a bank account to signing up for insurance policies or renting an apartment. Even in small day-to-day commercial transactions such as grocery shopping, you'll be asked whether you want your NIF on the receipt or not (as it is used to deduct expenses on your IRS declaration).

If you live in Portugal but are not a citizen, you don't need to register for a NIF number. If you plan to stay in the country for a few months or so, though, it is advisable to get one. For example, if you're not a citizen and want to rent an apartment or buy property in Portugal or apply for a job, then you will need a NIF number.


How to get a NIF in Portugal online?


To obtain a NIF in Portugal online, you will need to get a fiscal representative, who must be a Portuguese resident, to do the request on your behalf.

But can you still get one if you don’t know anyone in Portugal? Usually, what you can do is hire a law firm that will request your NIF for you and act as your fiscal representative. The only problem with that is that most of the time it’s really expensive, and will take a longer time than alternative methods.

Nowadays though, other methods exist, to help you request your NIF at a fair price. For example, you can make your request to get a NIF in Portugal online through companies, who will act as your representative until you arrive and change it. For a one-time fee of 119 euros, they will take care of all the paperwork and will send you your NIF number by email.


Conclusion

In my opinion, I would recommend going through a company, like anchorless.io, to order your NIF in Portugal online, as it is an easy and stress-free way to request your NIF even before your arrival in Portugal. It costs 119 euros, but at least it’s quick and you can contact someone on the team at basically any time for any questions regarding your arrival in Portugal.


by mh@kitetsuconsulting.com | anchorless.io