What’s the Fastest Way to get a NIF Number?

You may find yourself in the unusual position where you need a NIF and you need that number FAST!

This could be the case if you’re applying for a residency visa (like the D7) and you’ve just found out that you need one and want to get your application in ASAP. Or it could be something you need when you’re buying a property and you want to get one ASAP so you don’t lose out on your dream home. Whatever the reason, there are, thankfully, ways to get a NIF number quickly.

In this article, we’ll show you how to get a NIF in as little as 24 hours.

Non-EU/EEA Residents

If you’re resident outside of the EU/EEA, you’ll normally need a fiscal representative in order to obtain a NIF number (unless you have a friend or family member that lives in Portugal and is willing to be your fiscal representative).

Several of the companies that help you obtain a NIF offer a rushed service option.

Of course, some companies already have quite a fast turnaround, even without the rushed fee. Novomove, for example, has a timeframe of 3 days. If you need your NIF fast, however, you might want to go for one of the companies that can get it in 48 hours.

You can also obtain your NIF through a Portuguese lawyer, but unless you’re already in contact with a lawyer, this may not be the best option since most don’t advertise how fast they can get a NIF number. With some companies, it can take a day or two just to get the initial response, which could slow down the whole process.

EU/EEA Residents

If you’re resident in an EU/EEA country, you’re in luck: you don’t need a fiscal representative to obtain a NIF. You can simply visit your a Finanças or Loja do Cidadão office in Portugal and request one there.

Of course, that involves coming to Portugal and there are instances where that might not be possible or might be too expensive. If that’s the case, the most reliably quick option might be to use a service like E-Residence.

Since the outbreak of Covid, it has also been possible for EU/EEA residents to get a NIF over email, but this often requires emailing multiple Finanças offices to get a positive response. You can also ask someone who’s a resident to get one for you through the Finanças online portal. However, unless you already know someone that you can ask, this may not be the easiest option.

What to read next?

Why not read our full guide to the Portuguese NIF number.