Why is obtaining NIF, Health, and NISS numbers important for foreigners living in Portugal?
Obtaining your NIF, Health, and NISS numbers is vital for foreigners living in Portugal as these identification numbers open the doors to essential services and legal compliance. With the newly established Espaços Cidadão, it has become much easier for foreign residents to organise these processes, ensuring they can access healthcare, tax systems, and social security benefits. Having a Tax Identification Number (NIF) allows individuals to conduct various financial transactions, such as opening a local bank account or entering contracts. Similarly, the Health User Number is crucial for receiving medical care, while the Social Security Number is essential for work-related benefits. The recent government initiative addresses the long-standing challenges faced by foreigners, significantly improving their experience in Portugal. By centralising services in Espaços Cidadão, residents can now obtain all three numbers in one visit, simplifying their transition. This streamlined process helps relieve the pressure from government offices commonly known for their long queues. Securing these numbers represents not just legal compliance but enables integration into the Portuguese lifestyle. It fosters a sense of belonging and eases the navigation of daily life here. Don't wait to come into compliance; take the initiative today by visiting Espaços Cidadão. For further assistance or details, please 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.
