How to Get a Certificate of No Debt (Certidão de Dívida e Não Dívida)

If you need to prove that you have no outstanding tax debts in Portugal, the document you are looking for is the Certidão de Dívida e Não Dívida. It is a free certificate issued by Finanças through the online Portal das Finanças. This guide walks you through what it is, when you need it, and exactly how to request it.

What the certificate confirms

The Certidão de Dívida e Não Dívida is an official statement of your tax situation. When you have no debts, it confirms that fact in writing. It is free of charge, and in the normal case it is generated immediately and automatically the moment you request it. In rare cases the system may take up to 24 hours to produce the document, so do not panic if it is not available the instant you click confirm.

When you might need it

People most often request this certificate for one of the following reasons:

• Signing certain contracts that require proof of a clean tax record.
• Bidding on or participating in public tenders.
• Residency or visa steps where Portuguese authorities ask for evidence of no tax debt.
• Property transactions, where the other party or a notary may request it.

If you do not yet have a tax number, you will need one before you can access the portal at all. You can get your Portuguese NIF online without travelling to Portugal, which is the first step toward managing any of these documents yourself.

How to request it, step by step

The whole process happens inside the Portal das Finanças and takes only a few minutes:

1. Log in to the portal with your NIF and password (or with your Cartão de Cidadão or digital mobile key).
2. Go to Serviços, then Documentos e Certidões, then Pedir Certidão.
3. Select the option "Dívida e Não Dívida".
4. Click Confirmar.
5. Download the certificate once it is generated.

That is the complete path. There are no hidden fees, and you do not need to visit a tax office in person.

How long it is valid

At the time of writing, the certificate is valid for 3 months, which is 90 days. A change to extend validity to 4 months is in progress, so the exact period may differ by the time you read this. Always check the validity date printed on your own certificate at the moment of issue rather than relying on a general figure, since the rule can change.

Related documents you may also need

The Portal das Finanças hosts several documents that are often requested together. If you are also asked to prove where you live for tax purposes, see our guide to getting a certificate of tax residence, which covers the Domicílio Fiscal. If you need to show your income, our walkthrough on accessing your IRS tax assessment explains how to retrieve your Liquidação. And if the portal as a whole feels overwhelming, with its menus for Notificações, Representação, Cidadãos, and Atividade, our overview on navigating Portuguese bureaucracy will help you find your way around.

A quick note on language

The portal is in Portuguese, and the menu labels above appear exactly as written. If a translation tool changes the wording, look for the matching terms in the original language so you select the correct certificate.

Need a NIF before you can request any of this? Get your Portuguese NIF online for a flat 29.99 euros, 100% online with same-day submission.