Life in Portugal begins with the NIF or "Número de Contribuinte".

One of the first things to do when you decide to live in Portugal is to apply for the Portuguese tax number (Número de Contribuinte), more commonly and simply known as the NIF (Número de Identificação Fiscal), which you will need all the time, including from the French tax authorities.
To obtain it, go to the Direcção-geral dos Impostos (Finanças) where you live or work. Simply present your identity card or passport AND proof of address (French, Belgian, Swiss), and the Portuguese authorities will issue you with a card and your personal NIF... Don't lose it!

One of the first things to do when you decide to live in Portugal is to apply for the Portuguese tax number (Número de Contribuinte), more commonly and simply known as the NIF (Número de Identificação Fiscal), which you will need all the time, including from the French tax authorities.
To obtain it, go to the Direcção-geral dos Impostos (Finanças) where you live or work. Simply present your identity card or passport AND proof of address (French, Belgian, Swiss), and the Portuguese authorities will issue you with a card and your personal NIF... Don't lose it!

One of the first things to do when you decide to live in Portugal is to apply for the Portuguese tax number (Número de Contribuinte), more commonly and simply known as the NIF (Número de Identificação Fiscal), which you will need all the time, including from the French tax authorities.
To obtain it, go to the Direcção-geral dos Impostos (Finanças) where you live or work. Simply present your identity card or passport AND proof of address (French, Belgian, Swiss), and the Portuguese authorities will issue you with a card and your personal NIF... Don't lose it!

Opening an account with a Portuguese bank

To open a bank account you will need :

• Your Tax Number
• A valid identity document
• Proof of address in Portugal

Why should I open an account and with which bank? You'll need a bank account as soon as you take up permanent residence in Portugal. Having a Portuguese IBAN will simplify your life for direct debits and tax payments, and the MB (MultiBanco) bank card will help you with purchases, parking and cash withdrawals. You can also take out a business or home loan, unless you remain a French homeowner. As for the brand, it all depends on your needs. It's difficult to give advice that, even when adapted, could be called into question by an advisor too motivated by his or her own objectives.

Real estate in Portugal: renting a property.

To rent a house or flat when you arrive in Portugal, you will need to show that you have the income to pay your rent. You will be asked to pay 2 months' rent in advance and 1 month's deposit. In tense areas, this can rise to 3 months in advance (and more!) and a guarantor will be required to avoid unpaid rent.

When you arrive in Portugal, it will be difficult to meet these conditions. The best solution is to go through an agency, and avoid renting directly from the owners as much as possible. In theory, the contract should be drawn up in three copies, one of which should always be given to the Portuguese tax authorities by the owner for registration and validation. The contract must clearly specify

• The purpose of the rental
• The identity of the owner
• The identity of the tenant
• The duration of the tenancy, start and end dates and the rental price
• How either party may terminate the contract
• The terms of payment
• Charges included and not included in the rent
• the owner's right to visit the property
• The condition of the property at the time of letting.

Many landlords do not draw up an inventory of fixtures when you move in. If there are obvious defects, ask for one to avoid losing your deposit when you leave. Your landlord must give you a rent receipt with each payment. As in France, once you have signed the contract, you must take out home insurance, as the landlord's insurance only covers the flat and not your personal possessions.

Real estate in Portugal: buying a property.

To buy a property in Portugal, you will need a NIF (Número de Contribuinte), a bank account opened in Portugal (local IBAN) to pay for the purchase as well as current expenses such as water, electricity, gas and local taxes.

To buy a property, you will need to sign a Contrato de Promessa de Compra e Venda (CPCV), which is the preliminary sales agreement. This is the legal document that sets out the terms and conditions of the sale. It is advisable to have the signatures acknowledged by a notary. In the promesse de vente, the notary simply authenticates the signatures and the financial settlement between the seller and buyer.

It is therefore advisable, although not essential, to take on a legal representative, either a lawyer or a specialist company, to gather all the information from the Property Registry and the Town Hall. If you are buying a flat, this representative will also need to ensure that all taxes and condominium charges are up to date.

To buy a property in Portugal, you will need a NIF (Número de Contribuinte), a bank account opened in Portugal (local IBAN) to pay for the purchase as well as current expenses such as water, electricity, gas and local taxes.

To buy a property, you will need to sign a Contrato de Promessa de Compra e Venda (CPCV), which is the preliminary sales agreement. This is the legal document that sets out the terms and conditions of the sale. It is advisable to have the signatures acknowledged by a notary. In the promesse de vente, the notary simply authenticates the signatures and the financial settlement between the seller and buyer.

It is therefore advisable, although not essential, to take on a legal representative, either a lawyer or a specialist company, to gather all the information from the Property Registry and the Town Hall. If you are buying a flat, this representative will also need to ensure that all taxes and condominium charges are up to date.

Electricity and gas in your new home

Electricity and gas in your new home

All over Europe, the energy markets have been opened up to competition. To choose an energy supplier, visit the Deco Proteste website to compare several suppliers. You will need to provide the following documents

• Nº de contribuinte NIF
• Código de ponto de entrega (CPE): this code is shown on previous bills or given by the electricity supplier
• Código universal de instalação (CUI): this code is only required if you are taking out a gas contract
• Nº de identificação bancária: a RIB from a Portuguese bank.

All over Europe, the energy markets have been opened up to competition. To choose an energy supplier, visit the Deco Proteste website to compare several suppliers. You will need to provide the following documents

• Nº de contribuinte NIF
• Código de ponto de entrega (CPE): this code is shown on previous bills or given by the electricity supplier
• Código universal de instalação (CUI): this code is only required if you are taking out a gas contract
• Nº de identificação bancária: a RIB from a Portuguese bank.

There are several telephone operators to choose from. The main ones are Meo (Portugal Telecom), Vodafone and Nos. Before signing up, visit Deco Proteste and compare the operators' offers. Prices are similar to or even more expensive than those in France. To take out a subscription, call the operator if you speak Portuguese, or visit one of the many operator branches in most shopping centres. Make sure you have :

• Taxpayer number NIF
• The landline telephone number if a line was already open in your home
• Portuguese bank details
• Proof of address: this is an important document if you do not have an address in Portugal on your identity document.

There are several telephone operators to choose from. The main ones are Meo (Portugal Telecom), Vodafone and Nos. Before signing up, visit Deco Proteste and compare the operators' offers. Prices are similar to or even more expensive than those in France. To take out a subscription, call the operator if you speak Portuguese, or visit one of the many operator branches in most shopping centres. Make sure you have :

• Taxpayer number NIF
• The landline telephone number if a line was already open in your home
• Portuguese bank details
• Proof of address: this is an important document if you do not have an address in Portugal on your identity document.

Take out an internet, telephone or television subscription

Public municipal authority or private water company, you won't often have a choice to open your contract or putting one in your name. 

• Taxpayer number NIF
• Portuguese bank details
• Proof of address: especially if your identity document does not show your address in Portugal.

Water Department

Remember to ask for the documentary history of the services you will take out.

• Energy: old bills or CPE (electricity) and CUI (gas) numbers. Take a photo of your meters!
• Communication: Triple Play offers but can be separated. Can you do without a fixed line these days?
• For all contracts: take your lease with you and ask your landlord for power of attorney! If you take out a contract online, you may be able to save money!

Remember to ask for the history of the services you are going to keep

• Energy: old bills or CPE (electricity) and CUI (gas) numbers. Take a photo of your meters!
• Communication: Triple Play offers but can be separated. Can you do without a fixed line these days?
• For all contracts: take your lease with you and ask your landlord for power of attorney! If you take out a contract online, you may be able to save money!

The Universal Installation Code (UIC) is a unique code that identifies your installation. You'll find the CUI, made up of twenty alphanumeric characters, on your gas bill. If you do not have a bill, you can obtain the CUI by contacting 222 426 200 / 808 100 900 (Customer Service, weekdays, 9am to 9pm. Calls to national landlines are charged at your operator's rate). We suggest that you save the CUI on your mobile phone for future contacts with Portgás, especially in an emergency.

Once assigned, the CUI becomes a feature of every facility, regardless of how it is used or who owns it. The twenty alphanumeric characters that make up the CUI (example: PT 1601 000 000 000 ZZ) are divided into four specific fields.

The Universal Installation Code (UIC) is a unique code that identifies your installation. You'll find the CUI, made up of twenty alphanumeric characters, on your gas bill. If you do not have a bill, you can obtain the CUI by contacting 222 426 200 / 808 100 900 (Customer Service, weekdays, 9am to 9pm. Calls to national landlines are charged at your operator's rate). We suggest that you save the CUI on your mobile phone for future contacts with Portgás, especially in an emergency.

Once assigned, the CUI becomes a feature of every facility, regardless of how it is used or who owns it. The twenty alphanumeric characters that make up the CUI (example: PT 1601 000 000 000 ZZ) are divided into four specific fields.

The Universal Installation Code (UIC) is a unique code that identifies your installation. You'll find the CUI, made up of twenty alphanumeric characters, on your gas bill. If you do not have a bill, you can obtain the CUI by contacting 222 426 200 / 808 100 900 (Customer Service, weekdays, 9am to 9pm. Calls to national landlines are charged at your operator's rate). We suggest that you save the CUI on your mobile phone for future contacts with Portgás, especially in an emergency.

Once assigned, the CUI becomes a feature of every facility, regardless of how it is used or who owns it. The twenty alphanumeric characters that make up the CUI (example: PT 1601 000 000 000 ZZ) are divided into four specific fields.

The Universal Installation Code (UIC) is a unique code that identifies your installation. You'll find the CUI, made up of twenty alphanumeric characters, on your gas bill. If you do not have a bill, you can obtain the CUI by contacting 222 426 200 / 808 100 900 (Customer Service, weekdays, 9am to 9pm. Calls to national landlines are charged at your operator's rate). We suggest that you save the CUI on your mobile phone for future contacts with Portgás, especially in an emergency.

Once assigned, the CUI becomes a feature of every facility, regardless of how it is used or who owns it. The twenty alphanumeric characters that make up the CUI (example: PT 1601 000 000 000 ZZ) are divided into four specific fields.