NIF, NISS, SNS: What They Are And When You Need Them
Overview
If you are planning to live, work, or invest in Portugal, there are certain identification numbers you cannot live without. These numbers allow you to access healthcare, pay taxes, work, sign contracts, and be fully covered within the Portuguese system. Each one has a different purpose, and they are required at different stages of your life in Portugal.
NIF – Tax Identification Number
The NIF, also known as the tax number, is issued by the Portuguese Tax Authority and identifies individuals and companies within the Portuguese tax system.
It is one of the first and most important numbers you will need when moving to Portugal, as it is required for most legal and financial procedures.
With a NIF, you can open a bank account, sign work or service contracts, buy or rent property, declare income, pay taxes, and apply for a residence permit.
Even if you do not live permanently in Portugal, the NIF is still mandatory for anyone who plans to work, invest, or carry out legal or financial activities in the country.
NISS – Social Security Identification Number
The NISS is the number that uniquely identifies a person within the Portuguese Social Security system at a national level.
If you plan to work in Portugal, whether as an employee or as a self-employed professional, having a NISS is not optional but a legal requirement.
This number allows Social Security to register your professional activity, calculate contributions, and ensure compliance with labour and social security obligations.
Through the NISS, workers who make contributions to Social Security can access a range of essential social rights and protections, including unemployment benefits in case of involuntary job loss, sickness benefits during medical leave, parental leave allowances, and family benefits.
Over time, these contributions also give access to retirement pensions once the legal retirement age is reached.
The Portuguese Social Security system exists to guarantee basic social rights and equal opportunities for those who work or reside in Portugal, and the NISS is the key that allows access to this protection.
SNS – National Health Service User Number
The SNS is the Portuguese National Health Service, made up of public institutions and services under the Ministry of Health, whose mission is to guarantee access to healthcare for all citizens within the available resources.
For anyone planning to move to another country, access to healthcare is a priority, and in Portugal this access is made through the SNS user number, also known as the número de utente.
The SNS user number is a unique personal identification number assigned to individuals registered in the Portuguese public healthcare system. It is required to access public medical services such as medical appointments, exams, treatments, and prescriptions.
This number allows healthcare professionals to identify patients, consult their medical history, schedule appointments, and issue prescriptions.
Both Portuguese citizens and foreign nationals who legally reside in Portugal can register with the SNS and obtain a user number. In practice, the SNS number works as your entry pass to the public healthcare system, ensuring access to essential medical care throughout your stay in Portugal.
At Reis Pinto Law, we assist our clients in obtaining these essential numbers, ensuring a smooth and secure start to life in Portugal.
This Informative Note is intended for general distribution to clients and the information contained herein is provided as a general and abstract overview. The contents of this Informative Note may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, without the express consent of the author. If you should require further information on this topic, please contact us at info@reispintolaw.com.
