Portugal
Relocating to Portugal.
After moving to Portugal for work, the first weeks are a chain of registrations. In order: NIF (tax identification number), NISS (social-security number), AIMA (Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum), follow up the AIMA appointment, título de residência (residence card). Each step unlocks the next, so the order matters. Settio builds this plan for every person you move, with deadlines and a portal in their language.
After arrival
The registrations, in order
- 1Get the NIF at FinançasNIF: tax identification number
- 2Get the NISS from Segurança SocialNISS: social-security number
- 3AIMA appointment for the residence permitAIMA: Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum
- 4Follow up the AIMA appointment
- 5Receive the residence card (título de residência)título de residência: residence card
- 6EU citizen's registration certificate at the câmara municipalcâmara municipal: town hall
- 7Register at the health centre for the SNS user numbernúmero de utente: SNS user number
- 8Open a bank account
- 9Atestado de residência at the junta de freguesiajunta de freguesia: parish council
Authorities
Who does what in Portugal
AIMA (Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum)
Decides residence permits in Portugal and issues the residence card (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo)
Official websiteFinanças (Tax and Customs Authority (AT))
The NIF, income tax and the IFICI regime (Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira)
Official websiteIEFP (Institute for Employment and Vocational Training)
The public employment service
Official websiteOther countries
Official sources
- Lei 23/2007 (foreigners act), consolidated, Diário da República (residence visa four months and two entries, art. 58; temporary residence two years then three, renewal 30 days before expiry and the receipt's 60 days, art. 75 and 78; permanent residence after five years, art. 80; change of address within 60 days, art. 86)
- Lei 61/2025 of 22 October amends Lei 23/2007: the qualified job-seeker visa, the CPLP residence permit only with a residence visa, family reunification after two years (Diário da República)
- Lei 62/2026 of 10 September amends Lei 23/2007: a decision on a residence permit within 90 days, the refusal states the court and the period, a change of employer communicated to AIMA (Diário da República)
- AIMA: Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo
- AIMA, granting the EU Blue Card (art. 121-A ff.): contract of at least six months, 1.5 times the national average gross annual salary, 1.2 times for shortage professions
- AIMA, residence permit for highly qualified activity (art. 90), read 10 October 2026: 1.5 times the national average gross annual salary is €2,157.00 a month, and 1.2 times it €1,725.60 a month for professions in groups 1 and 2 particularly in need of workers (reference values: the average gross annual salary of 2023, the IAS of 2024)
- AIMA: table of fees and charges (Portaria 307/2023), updated 26 February 2026
- AIMA, registration certificate for EU nationals: within 30 days after three months, at the câmara municipal (Lei 37/2006)
- Vistos MNE, types of national visa: the residence visa, valid for two entries and four months, during which the holder asks AIMA for a residence permit
- Vistos MNE: documents for a residence visa (remote work: average monthly income of the last three months of at least four minimum wages)
- Decreto-Lei 139/2025 of 29 December: minimum monthly wage (RMMG) of €920 from 1 January 2026 (Diário da República)
- DGERT, evolution of the minimum monthly wage (RMMG): €870 in 2025 (Decreto-Lei 112/2024)
- Código do Trabalho, consolidated, the Christmas allowance (art. 263) and the holiday allowance (art. 264): fourteen payments a year (Diário da República)
- IAPMEI, Tech Visa: company certification (Portaria 59-A/2022), valid five years, at most 50% of the workers hired through it
- Portal das Finanças: Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira (AT)
FAQ
Questions, answered.
What is the first thing to do after moving to Portugal?
Get the NIF at Finanças. It unlocks the steps after it.
How does Settio help with relocation in Portugal?
Settio builds the step-by-step plan for each person moving to Portugal, checks documents before filing, tracks deadlines and gives the person a portal in their own language.
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Informational only. This guide is not legal advice. Always verify requirements with official government sources before acting. Facts checked 3 October 2026. About this information