NIF for Foreigners: Getting a Portuguese Tax Number to Open a Company

The NIF (Número de Identificação Fiscal) is your Portuguese tax identification number. It is the first thing you need before you can register a company, open a bank account or sign a lease in Portugal.

Who needs a NIF to open a company?

• Every individual partner (shareholder).
• Every manager (gerente), even if they are not a partner.
• Every foreign company that becomes a partner needs a Portuguese tax number for non-resident entities.

The company itself receives its own number — the NIPC — when it is incorporated.

How to get a NIF as a non-resident

Our partner lawyers request the NIF for you remotely, acting under a power of attorney, so you don't need to travel to Portugal or visit a tax office. Your NIF is registered with your foreign address as your tax address.

Do I need a fiscal representative?

It depends on where you live:

• EU/EEA residents — no fiscal representative is required.
• Residents of other countries — you must either appoint a fiscal representative (a person or company resident in Portugal who receives tax notices on your behalf) or sign up for electronic notifications through the Portal das Finanças or the viaCTT electronic mailbox.

Electronic notifications are free, but you then have to check them regularly: deadlines run from the date a notice is delivered, whether or not you read it. A fiscal representative can be more practical if you don't speak Portuguese.

Documents you will need

• Valid passport or national ID card.
• Proof of address in your country of residence, usually less than three months old.
• A power of attorney for the lawyer applying on your behalf.

Foreign companies applying for a Portuguese tax number need their certificate of incorporation and proof of who represents them, apostilled and translated.

How long does it take?

Through our partner lawyers it typically takes a few working days. Getting NIF numbers early is the simplest way to speed up your company registration.

Next steps

Once every partner and manager has a NIF, you can approve the company name and file the incorporation. If you are based abroad, read opening a company in Portugal as a non-resident.