NISS Number in Portugal

WHAT A NISS OF PORTUGAL IS, WHAT IT IS FOR, AND HOW FOREIGNERS CAN GET IT.

Portugal, with its vibrant culture, stunning scenery, and welcoming population, remains one of the most attractive destinations for emigration in 2024. One of the most important steps for those planning to live, work, or start a business in Portugal is to obtain a NISS (Número de Identificação da Segurança Social). This social security identification number is required to receive various social benefits. This article details how to get a NISS in Portugal in 2024.

What is NISS?

NISS is a unique number assigned to individuals in Portugal to track their social security contributions. The number is mandatory for all employees, self-employed persons, and business owners. This number is required to receive health care, unemployment benefits, and pensions.

Is it compulsory to get a NISS Portugal?

NISS (Número de Identificação da Segurança Social) is mandatory and is required to access several public services such as health, social security and taxation.

Portuguese citizens are automatically assigned the number at birth and foreigners planning to work or reside in Portugal, upon request. The NISS number in Portugal is used to pay compulsory social contributions, receive assistance and support from social programs, and receive social benefits and allowances and their calculation.

Which government body issues the NISS in Portugal?

The Portuguese NISS is issued by the Social Security Institute (Instituto da Segurança Social, ISS). Segurança Social is a system designed to guarantee citizens fundamental rights and equal opportunities and to promote the well-being and social cohesion of all Portuguese and foreign citizens who work or live in the country.

The general framework on which the system is based is defined by the Law on the General Foundations of the Social Security System (Lei n.º 4/2007, de 16 de janeiro), as well as private initiatives with similar objectives.

What are the main objectives and principles of the Portuguese social security system?

The priority objectives of the Portuguese social security system are:

• Guarantee the realization of the right to social security
• To contribute to the continuous improvement of the conditions and level of social security and to the strengthening of its equity
• To increase the efficiency of the system and the effectiveness of its management.

Basic principles of the Portuguese social security system:

• The principle of universality: means that everyone has access to the social protection provided by the system
• The principle of equality: consists in non-discrimination between beneficiaries, in particular on the basis of gender and nationality, without prejudice to the latter, conditions of residence and reciprocity
• The principle of solidarity: consists in the collective responsibility of people for each other in achieving the objectives of the system and implies the participation of the State in its financing
• The principle of social justice: it consists of equal treatment of equal situations and different treatment of unequal situations
• The principle of unity: it implies that the different systems, subsystems, and schemes of social security work together, harmonizing and complementing each other
• The principle of decentralization: it is expressed in the autonomy of institutions to bring them closer to the population, within the framework of the organization and planning of the system, national standards and guidelines, and the supervisory and inspection functions of public authorities
• The principle of efficiency: it consists of timely provision of benefits provided by the law, adequate prevention and elimination of possible problems, as well as ensuring decent living conditions
• The principle of informing: it is to ensure that each person knows about his/her rights and obligations, his/her position in the system, and receives individualized assistance

Other, equally important, principles of the social insurance system, history and programs, and benefits can be found on the website of the Social Security Institute. Thus, by obtaining a social number in Portugal, you have access to the social security system and are entitled to Portuguese social support, regardless of your nationality.

What does a social security number look like in Portugal?

NISS is an 11-digit identification number assigned by the Social Security Institute (Instituto da Segurança Social, ISS). The NISS number in Portugal is the second mandatory number after the NIF.

The benefits of obtaining a social security number in Portugal.

The Portuguese NISS is required for applying for a residence permit, registration in the national health system, employment, enrollment of children in kindergartens and schools, registration for sick leave and temporary or long-term disability benefits, paid maternity and parental leave, including for employed fathers. After obtaining a residence permit, NISS also allows you to register with the Portuguese Employment Service, take free Portuguese language courses for foreigners, get a new profession, and get assistance in finding a job.

How do I get a Portuguese NISS?

The question: "How to get a NISS in Portugal?" is faced by everyone who plans to live, work or open a business in Portugal. NISS can be obtained independently. An official representative or an employer can also request a NISS in Portugal. Move to Cascais can help you get a NISS quickly and easily. To obtain the NISS on your own, you must be in Portugal and be able to visit a Social Security Institute office in person. You can obtain the NISS with Move to Cascais from anywhere in the world.

What kind of documents and information are required to apply for NISS?

Since 2023, the process of obtaining NISS for foreigners on their own has become much simpler, however, obtaining NISS with the help of a representative is still relevant. It is convenient and takes the stress out of emigration. For those who are outside Portugal and want to obtain an NISS in Portugal, it is the only option available. To apply for an NISS number in Portugal, you will need an identity document and a taxpayer identification number (NIF).

Beginning July 1, 2024, it is also required to attach:

• Confirmation of professional status:
  • employment contract
  • copy of the document for the start of independent activity (Atividade) and copy of receipts/invoices (recibos/faturas)
  • Certificate of incorporation of the company from the Institute of Documentation and Notaries (IRN)
• Confirmation of the request for legalization of residence:
  • proof of residence permit application or (AIMA record, D visa, document from AIMA with process number)
  • proof of application for a residence permit for citizens of the Community of Portuguese-speaking Countries (CPLP) or
  • proof of application for a residence permit certificate for CPLP citizens

If the request is made by a representative, such as a Move to Cascais specialist, you will need a properly executed power of attorney. However, the Move to Cascais specialist will take care of this issue as well! The application states:

• Name and Surname of the Applicant
• Regardless of the applicant's age, the First and Last Name of the applicant's parents shall be indicated
• Date of birth
• Country and place of birth
• Gender
• Nationality
• Marital status
• Type and number of identity document
• Date until which the document is valid
• NIF
• Country of permanent residence
• Contacts: phone number and email address

The list of documents and required data is up to date as of 01.07.2024 and is subject to change. You can obtain a complete up-to-date list of documents by contacting our specialists.

NISS conversion from 9 to 11 digits.

In 2004, due to reform, all 9-digit NISS numbers in Portugal were automatically converted to 11-digit numbers. If you received your NISS before 2004 and do not know your 11-digit number, you need to go to a branch of the Social Security Institute, where they will print out a document with the new 11-digit number.

Where can I use my social number in Portugal?

NISS is an important and necessary number. Along with the NIF, the NISS is included in most documents. You will be asked to provide your NISS when applying for a residence permit, opening a bank account, registering with the Portuguese National Health System, applying for employment, and enrolling your children in Portuguese schools and kindergartens.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of NISS in Portugal?

NISS is mandatory for all foreigners planning to live, work, or open a business in Portugal, so it is important not only to know what a social security number in Portugal is, how and where to get it, but also to understand its advantages and disadvantages. And more precisely the rights and obligations.

Registration in the Portuguese Social Security system opens the door to a wide variety of social programs aimed at supporting families, youth, retirees, low-mobility, and low-income groups. The full list of programs is available at www.seg-social.pt/. The funds for these programs, benefits, and allowances are provided precisely from the social contributions that all working residents of Portugal are obliged to pay.

In short, the NISS number in Portugal is the number by which you will be identified in the system, through which you will make social contributions to the social security system and, depending on the amount of these contributions, receive social benefits and payments.

Can I get by without NISS in Portugal?

The unequivocal answer is no. The social security number is mandatory. Without it, it will be very difficult and sometimes impossible to obtain many other necessary documents and services. NISS is requested at AIMA (A Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo - Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum) offices when applying for a residence permit, at banks when opening an account, at SNS (Serviço Nacional de Saúde - National Health Service) when registering in the system and obtaining a número de utente - user number.

Our experts are ready to help you and make the NISS-obtaining process in Portugal as easy and comfortable as possible.

Why should you contact us?

Move to Cascais has been helping people all over the world to make relocation to Portugal easy and enjoyable since 2020. We keep up to date with all changes in migration policies, regulations, and requirements and save our clients from bureaucracy.

Contacting Move to Cascais to obtain a NISS:

• You do not have to be in Portugal and visit the Segurança Social office in person.
• You don't have to go through all the details of the NISS application process.
• Avoid filling out the NISS application incorrectly
• You do not have to learn Portuguese to make an appointment over the phone and explain to the officer at the branch what you are there for.
• You don't have to wait for hours at the Segurança Social office to get your Portuguese National Insurance Number.

We will do everything for you and send you the finished document with NISS number in pdf format.

Getting NISS Portugal with Move to Cascais is easy.

How to get a social security number in Portugal with Move to Cascais:

• Fill out a simple questionnaire to prepare a power of attorney.
• Attach a copy of your passport.
• Pay for the service.
• Receive the document with the number in pdf format by email.