What is the Tax Identification Number (TIN) for?
For some years now, many foreigners and French speakers have wanted to settle in Portugal. To do so, it is necessary to obtain the tax identification number (TIN) from the competent administration. The “Numéro de Contribuinte” as it is called here, is required in the vast majority of the steps you will have to take: opening bank accounts, financial transactions, renting an apartment, business creation…
If you wish to be accompanied to obtain your Portuguese TIN, please use the button below and fill in the dedicated form. I will forward your request to a English-speaking firm that offers to carry out these steps for you. The price is 180€ and the service is done by proxy: you don’t have to travel, the firm will go to the administration for you and will send you your NIF by mail. This price includes the power of attorney, the constitution of the file, the taking of appointment, the physical displacement in the administration (Very disturbed and difficult with Covid-19) and the sending of your NIF.
This is the number held by each Portuguese resident that identifies them to the tax authority. It will be used to declare your taxes but can also be given in shops when you make purchases. At the end of the year, you will be able to have tax reductions depending on the type of expenses you have made (rent, health, repairs…). Each year is even organized a lottery of these TIN which allow 3 people to win between 25000 and 50000 euros!
When to get the Portuguese TIN?
This is one of the first administrative steps to be taken, but the paradox is that :
- To obtain the TIN, you must be a Portuguese resident
- To be a Portuguese resident, you need an address in Portugal
- But to get an address in Portugal (Rental or purchase of real estate), you need a TIN
And yes, not everything is that simple and you will have to go back several times to the Portuguese administrations to close the loop. You will have to go first to the loja de cidado to obtain a European residence certificate. They have recently been created to allow you to carry out several administrative procedures in Portugal in one place. Before that, you had to go to several establishments, which made things even more complicated. Once you have obtained this certificate, you can go to the Financias to obtain a temporary TIN, with which you can rent your first accommodation.
Once you have obtained your accommodation and address, you will have to return to the loja de cidado to obtain a certificate of residence in Portugal. Once you have obtained your residence certificate, you will have to return to the Financias to request your permanent Portuguese Tax Identification Number.
The tax representative for the TIN
To speed things up, you can be fiscally represented by a Portuguese resident. He or she must be resident in Portugal and can act as an intermediary between foreigners and the Portuguese tax authorities. Your tax representative will thus be obliged to forward all correspondence you receive from the tax authorities.
It is therefore often advisable to appoint family or friends as your tax representative if they are resident in Portugal. In this case, you will only need to do this in order to obtain your TIN:
- A valid passport
- The appointment of your tax representative
- Proof of residence in your country of origin (water, gas, electricity…)
Please note that only authenticated copies will be accepted!
Need help getting the portuguese TIN ?
Fill in the form below to be accompanied and obtain your Portuguese NIF remotely. You will be contacted by a English-speaking firm in order to prepare your file and your power of attorney so that it can go to your place in the administrations to obtain your Tax Identification Number. The price is 180€ and the service is done by proxy: you don’t have to travel, the firm will go to the administration for you and will send you your NIF by mail. This price includes the power of attorney, the constitution of the file, the taking of appointment, the physical displacement in the administration (Very disturbed and difficult with Covid-19) and the sending of your NIF.
By validating the contact form, you authorize me to forward your request to an English-speaking person who will be able to contact you directly. This person is a professional who offers paid services whose price varies according to your requests, needs and projects. Nothing is automated: these are people I know, based in Lisbon and who are qualified to accompany you in your approach & your project.
Essencial Portugal is a website that connects individuals/companies with trusted, certified professionals in Portugal to carry out projects in the country. Only these certified and approved professionals are able to inform you, offer and invoice these services.
