The NIF (Número de Identificación Fiscal) is the tax identification number in Portugal.
To obtain a NIF, you generally need to follow these steps:
Step 1: Getting a NIF Number
The very first thing you’ll need is a NIF number (Número de Identificação Fiscal). To get one, you’ll need a fiscal representative — someone (or a company) who acts as an intermediary between you and the Portuguese tax office (Finanças). They’ll receive and send official communications on your behalf.
Unless you have a trusted friend or family member in Portugal who can act as your fiscal rep, it often doesn’t make financial sense to appoint someone personally. Instead, it’s usually easier (and more cost-effective) to go through one of the many companies offering this service remotely.
We used nifonline.pt — back in 2022, it cost us around €66, and we were able to use our UK address.
🔄 Important Tip:
Once you’ve moved to Portugal, you can update your NIF with your Portuguese address. At that point, you’ll no longer need a fiscal representative.
⚠️ But be aware: changing your address officially classifies you as a Portuguese tax resident — so it’s essential to time this step carefully based on your personal situation.
Accessing the Finance Portal
You’ll also need login credentials for the Portuguese Finance Portal (Portal das Finanças). These are usually provided by the fiscal representative or the company you used to get your NIF. Make sure to request your login and password before ending your contract with them — they may not provide it afterward.
If you don’t manage to get the login details in time, you can request a new password by visiting your local Finanças office. Be prepared: in our case, we visited the office in Tábua, where no one spoke English. We had to bring a printed, translated letter explaining our request. Always carry your passport, proof of address, and NIF when visiting in person. For more details on Accessing the Finances Portal
Step 2: Getting a Bank Account
Once we had our NIF numbers, we chose to open an account with Santander Portugal. Although we already had a Santander account in the UK, we quickly discovered that the two operate completely independently — there’s no direct link between them.
That said, the process was quite simple. We visited a branch in Porto, and thankfully, the staff spoke very good English, which made everything much easier. We brought our NIF, passports, and proof of address, and were able to open a joint account without any major issues.
The first debit card was free, but there was an additional monthly fee of €6 for the second card — something worth keeping in mind if you’re planning to open a joint account.
How to Open a Bank Account in Portugal
Opening a bank account in Portugal is relatively straightforward once you have your NIF (Tax Number) — which is a requirement for most financial transactions in the country.
✅ What You’ll Need
To open a Portuguese bank account, you typically need the following documents:
NIF (Número de Identificação Fiscal)
– You must already have this. (See our guide on how to get a NIF.)Valid Passport or ID
– If you’re an EU citizen, your national ID may be accepted. Non-EU citizens will need a passport.Proof of Address
– This can be your current UK address (if you’re opening it before moving), or your Portuguese address once you’ve relocated. A utility bill, rental contract, or bank statement usually works.Proof of Income or Employment (sometimes required)
– Some banks ask for this to assess your financial stability. Payslips, employment contracts, or pension statements are often accepted.
