NISS Number | Visas.pt

NISS Number

Your NISS (Número de Identificação Social) is required for employment and access to social benefits in Portugal. We handle the entire process remotely — no trip to Portugal required.

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✓ Reviewed by Scott Kirk, Founder and Immigration Advisor · October 05, 2026
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Method
Remote Assistance
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Our Experience
Typically 2 to 3 weeks
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NIF first
Recommended
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Service fee
€140

The NISS (Número de Identificação da Segurança Social) is Portugal's social security identification number, used for employment registration, social security contributions and related rights. The government issues a NISS free of charge and you can request one online. Visas.pt provides remote application assistance for €140, handled by our team with Portuguese immigration lawyers.

What Is a NISS?

What is a NISS in Portugal?

NISS stands for Número de Identificação da Segurança Social. It is your unique identification number in the Portuguese Social Security system, Segurança Social.

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Employment
An employer can request a foreign worker's NISS. Under the current procedure, the employment contract and employment relationship are communicated before the NISS is assigned.
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Self Employment
A NISS is needed when you start making Portuguese Social Security contributions as a self-employed worker.
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Healthcare
A NISS is not a listed requirement for obtaining an SNS user number. SNS registration is a separate process with its own requirements.
Who Needs This?

Who needs a Portuguese NISS?

You generally need a NISS when you enter the Portuguese Social Security system through employment, self-employment or another situation that creates social security rights or contribution obligations.

✅ You need a NISS if you…
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    Are employed in PortugalAn employer can request your NISS, but under the current procedure the employment relationship is communicated before the NISS is assigned.
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    Start self-employed activityYour NISS is used for your Portuguese Social Security registration and contributions.
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    Need Social Security registrationThe NISS identifies you when dealing with Portuguese Social Security rights and contribution obligations.
ℹ️ You may not need one immediately if you…
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    Are not working or self-employed in PortugalA NISS may not be an immediate administrative priority if you are not entering the Portuguese Social Security system yet.
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    Only want to register with the SNSA NISS is not listed as a requirement for obtaining an SNS user number.
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    Only need a NIFYou do not need to obtain a NISS before applying for a Portuguese NIF.
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    Are unsure whether you need oneWe can review your situation and explain whether a NISS is needed for your planned activity.
The Process

Can foreigners apply for a NISS online?

Yes. Foreign citizens without a NISS can request one online through the official Segurança Social process. An employer can also request a foreign worker's NISS after concluding the employment contract and communicating the employment relationship through Segurança Social Direta.

1
Send us your information
We confirm your circumstances and the documents that apply to your NISS request.
2
Provide your documents
You provide the valid identification, work or activity evidence and residence documentation required for your particular situation.
3
We submit the application
Our team prepares and submits the NISS request through the applicable Social Security procedure and handles the representative documentation required for us to act for you.
4
Your NISS is issued
Segurança Social controls the processing time and does not publish a fixed official deadline. In our experience, applications typically take around 2 to 3 weeks, but individual cases can take longer.
What You'll Need

What documents do I need for a NISS?

The official requirements depend on your nationality, residence status and reason for requesting the NISS. Foreign applicants are generally asked for identification, evidence of their work or activity and evidence relating to their residence status.

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Valid Identification
Valid identification appropriate to your circumstances, such as a passport, national identity document or residence card.
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Work or Activity Evidence
Depending on why you need the NISS, this may include an employment contract, evidence of independent activity, company registration or another document supporting the reason for registration.
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Residence Evidence
Foreign applicants may need evidence of their residence authorisation or an application for regularisation, depending on their status.
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Representative Authority
When another person applies on your behalf, the official process requires the appropriate power of attorney or authorisation documentation.
Most people obtain their NIF first. The official online NISS form asks for a NIF in some cases, including self-employment, so we confirm what applies to your situation before submitting the application. You do not need a NISS to obtain a Portuguese NIF. You can read the government's NIF and NISS guide for the current official process.

How much does a NISS cost? The Portuguese government does not charge a fee to issue a NISS. The €140 charged by Visas.pt is our service fee for helping prepare and manage your application.

Official sources and guides: See the government's official NISS service, its guide for foreign NIF and NISS applications and the official SNS user number service. For more detail, read our Portuguese NISS guide.

NISS Service
Portuguese Social Security registration — handled remotely
Service
NISS Number
€140
Full application to Segurança Social. 2–3 weeks.
NIF + NISS Bundle
€235
Get both tax and social security numbers together.
Included in Visa Packages
from €1,595
NISS included in Done For You (€2,810) package.
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FAQ

Questions about our NISS Number

NISS (Número de Identificação da Segurança Social) is your Portuguese Social Security identification number. You need a NISS to work legally in Portugal — as an employee or self-employed — to make social security contributions, and to access benefits such as healthcare registration, parental leave, and pensions.

You apply to Segurança Social (Portuguese Social Security) with your passport, NIF, and proof of address or employment. Our lawyers prepare and submit the complete application for €140 and track it to issuance — typically 2–3 weeks — so you avoid appointment hunting and rejected paperwork.

The NIF is your tax number, issued by the tax authority and needed for banking, contracts, and taxes. The NISS is your social security number, issued by Segurança Social and needed for employment, contributions, and benefits. Most residents need both — and the NIF must always be obtained first.

Yes. Every employee and self-employed worker in Portugal must have a NISS so that social security contributions can be registered. Employers will ask for your NISS before your first pay run, and freelancers need it to open activity (atividade) with the tax office and pay contributions.

No — they're separate. The NISS is your Social Security number; the SNS number (Número de Utente) is for the national health service, obtained when you register at your local health centre (Centro de Saúde). Having a NISS is often a practical prerequisite for SNS registration.

In most cases, yes. Residents can apply for a NISS before employment begins, which is useful for signing a work contract, registering as self-employed, or preparing SNS registration. Requirements vary by situation — we confirm the right approach for your case.

Typically 2–3 weeks from the date we submit your complete application to Segurança Social. Processing can be slower in busy periods, so if you have a job start date, begin the NISS process as early as possible — we keep you updated throughout.
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