How can foreigners obtain NIF, Health and NISS numbers in Portugal?
Foreigners can easily obtain NIF, Health User, and NISS numbers in Portugal through a dedicated service at Espaços Cidadão. This streamlined process ensures that foreign nationals no longer face long queues and can access essential identification numbers that facilitate their daily lives in Portugal. By 2024, these offices, as announced by the Minister of Youth and Modernization, will be fully operational, providing much-needed relief for thousands of foreign residents.
The initiative aims to simplify administrative procedures, addressing the concerns that many foreigners encounter when trying to access their NIF or Social Security numbers. The Espaços Cidadão will serve as a one-stop solution for these essential services, making it easier for expatriates to integrate into society.
This service not only benefits individuals but also alleviates pressure on government employees currently handling high volumes of requests at Finance and Social Security offices. With the project being led by AMA and AIMA, the focus is on modernising the system for better efficiency and accessibility.
Having a NIF is crucial for engaging in various activities in Portugal, such as opening a bank account, signing rental agreements, and working legally. Additionally, a Health User number provides access to the Portuguese healthcare system, ensuring that all residents can receive medical care when required.
This service rollout represents a significant step toward recognising the contributions of foreign citizens in Portugal. As a result, the process of obtaining these numbers is set to become more user-friendly, especially for those who have faced challenges in the past.
If you are a foreigner living in Portugal, it is essential to stay updated on these developments to ensure you can access the services you need without unnecessary delays. Make sure you take advantage of this opportunity in late 2024 to obtain your vital identification numbers.
Reach out to local offices or visit the official websites for more information on the rollout. Prepare for an easier way to access these crucial identification numbers!
Margarida Balseiro Lopes was speaking at the end of the meeting of the first Council of Ministers dedicated to Digital Transition and Modernization, which took place today at the Faculty of Science and Technology of Universidade Nova (Nova FCT), in Almada.
Among the 15 measures, the minister highlighted the case of identification numbers for foreign citizens.
"We know that the Finance, Social Security and Citizen's Offices have been faced with long queues" and "we have thousands of foreign citizens living in Portugal who cannot access something as basic as a Tax Identification Number [NIF], the Social Security Number or the Health User Number", continued the government official.
And, therefore, "what we are going to do now in 2024 - this is a measure for this year, in the last quarter of 2024 - in a project that is being implemented by AMA [Agency for Administrative Modernization] and AIMA [Agency for Migration and Asylum Integration] is in one place for citizens to have access to the three identification numbers", explained Margarida Balseiro Lopes.
"This is particularly important because we will take pressure off" the people who work in these entities, she said.
"We are going to make this service available in Espaços Cidadão", explained the government official.
