Where is Espaços Cidadão and how can it help me secure my identification numbers?
Espaços Cidadão is conveniently located across Portugal, providing foreign citizens with a friendly and efficient environment to secure their identification numbers, including NIF, Health, and NISS numbers. This new initiative introduces a centralised location, which is particularly beneficial for those who face challenges obtaining these essential numbers due to language barriers or bureaucratic complexities. By visiting Espaços Cidadão, you can complete the application process for all three identification numbers in one go, significantly easing your transition into Portuguese life. The service is part of a broader government initiative to modernise administrative processes, which also aims to reduce the pressures on existing offices. As a foreigner, having these numbers is crucial for accessing systematic benefits such as healthcare services and social rights, enabling you to fully engage in the local community. Don't let long queues and complicated procedures deter your experience in Portugal. Espaços Cidadão simplifies everything and provides clear guidance on what you need to bring for a successful visit. Secure your place in the community by ensuring you have the necessary identification numbers. If you have more questions about the process or want to know the nearest Espaços Cidadão location, feel free to contact us!
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.
