How to get a NISS in Portugal
The NISS (número de identificação da segurança social) is your Social Security number. You need it to work, to be self-employed and for most public services. Social Security gives it to foreign citizens for a reason: a work contract, self-employment, remote work for a foreign employer, or voluntary social insurance.
Short answer. Coming on a residence visa: since late July 2026 AIMA should give you the NISS at your residence permit appointment. EU citizens, and anyone who left AIMA without one: ask Social Security with the online form on seg-social.pt, attaching your ID and proof of why you need it.
At AIMA (residence visa holders)
From late July 2026 AIMA assigns the NISS during the residence permit appointment, through a direct link with Social Security. Two cautions:
- We only found this in press reports (Observador, 14 July 2026; The Portugal News, 15 July 2026), not yet on an official page.
- Not every AIMA procedure is covered yet. Check before you leave the counter that you have the number, and write it down.
Online, from Social Security
On seg-social.pt use "Sou Cidadão" > "Atribuição de NISS". Attach:
- a copy of your ID card or passport;
- proof of why you need it, for example a work contract translated into Portuguese, your start of self-employed activity at Finanças, or a contract with a foreign employer if you work remotely.
When you need it by
Before your first salary or your first invoice. If you are employed in Portugal, your employer also has to register you with Social Security when your contract starts. If you will be self-employed, see how to register as self-employed: new self-employed workers are exempt from contributions for their first 12 months, but the quarterly declarations are still due.