Apply for a Social Security Identification Number (NISS)

You can apply for the NISS by filling in the form available on the Social Security website. You must attach the valid civil identification documents to the form, as required.

Foreign nationals

Foreign nationals must submit three types of document: ID, work status and proof of residence permit.

• Citizens of the European Union, the European Economic Area or Switzerland must submit one of the following documents (valid and scanned):
  • national identification document from your country of origin and an uncertified copy thereof;
  • passport;
  •  residence card.
• Persons from third countries must submit all of the following documents:
  •  passport;
  • work visa;
  • residence permit (temporary or permanent) or other civil identification document from their country of origin.
• Persons covered by international protection (not including temporary protection for persons coming from Ukraine) or without any other identification document may present one of the following documents:
  • provisional residence permit (ARP)
  • proof of an application for an ARP
  • proof of renewal of an ARP
  • refugee residence permit – subsidiary protection
  • proof of the granting of a refugee or subsidiary protection residence permit
  • proof of renewal of a refugee residence permit
  • proof of renewal of a residence permit – subsidiary protection
  • declaration of international protection.

Documents relating to the reason for being assigned an NISS

Proof of employment status

Foreign nationals must provide one of the following pieces of evidence of their employment situation:

• employment contract
• copy of registration as self-employed and copy of receipts/invoices
• company registration certificate from the Institute of Registries and Notaries (IRN)
• permanent trading certificate (MOE)
• proof of employment contract with an EEA company in the case of digital nomads
• proof of eligibility for registration for voluntary Social Security contributions (SSV).

Proof of residence permit

Foreign nationals must provide one of the following pieces of evidence of their application for residence:

• proof of application for a residence permit
• proof of application for a residence visa for citizens of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP)
• proof of application for a residence authorisation certificate for CPLP citizens.

Application by the employer or legal representative of the foreign national

The following must be submitted:

• a power of attorney (original document) or Declaration of authorisation for third parties – PA12;
• valid civil identification document of the legal representative (passport, work visa, residence permit or other civil identification document from the country of origin).

The employer acts as the employee’s legal representative. This application is intended solely for the assignation of an NISS. Employers must report their employee’s employment relationship on Social Security Direct (SSD).

Portuguese nationals without a Citizen Card

Copy of their lifetime ID card.

Portuguese nationals with a Citizen Card

The NISS is assigned to persons with Portuguese citizenship when the Citizen Card is requested.

Online

Access the NISS application – Foreign national or Portuguese citizen without the obligation to hold a Citizen Card, fill in and submit the application form.

NB: Foreign nationals with an address in Portugal can apply for a tax identification number (TIN), a Social Security identification number (NISS) and a national user number for the National Health Service (SNS) all at the same time.

Receiving the NISS

Once you have submitted your application, you will receive a registered letter at the address you provided on the form, informing you that you can collect your NISS from the Social Security Office.

Collection by the card holder

Card holders can collect the NISS themselves, showing a valid identification document.

Collection by another person (representative)

The NISS can also be collected by a lawyer presenting their professional record book and an original copy of a power of attorney. The NISS may also be collected by another person, provided that person presents an original power of attorney or a declaration of authorisation for third parties (Form PA-12) and their own identification document.

Scheduling an appointment to pick up an NISS

You can book an appointment via the SIGA platform or on the SigaApp (available on Android and iOS), or by telephone on 210 548 888 or 300 088 888, Mondays-Fridays, from 09:00 to 18:00.

It is free of charge.

After the request for the NISS is submitted, it will be analyzed by the Social Security services, and there is no set deadline for the NISS to be assigned.