For both the D7 and the D8 (digital nomad) visa, the Portuguese tax number (NIF) comes first: you need it to open the Portuguese bank account that holds your proof of funds, and the visa application asks for both. You can get the NIF online from your home country with a passport, a proof of address and a power of attorney signed on screen. With Coepi it costs €39.99 including VAT, once, and a lawyer files it the same day your documents are complete.
TL;DR: For both the D7 and the D8 (digital nomad) visa, the Portuguese tax number (NIF) comes first: you need it to open the Portuguese bank account that holds your proof of funds, and the visa application asks for both. You can get the NIF online from your home country with a passport, a proof of address and a power of attorney signed on screen. With Coepi it costs €39.99 including VAT, once, and a lawyer files it the same day your documents are complete.
If you are planning to move to Portugal on a D7 or D8 visa, the paperwork starts well before you book a flight. One of the very first items on the list is a Portuguese tax number, the NIF. It quietly underpins almost every later step, so getting it early saves you weeks of waiting.
Where the NIF fits in the visa journey
The standard order of operations is consistent across both visa types, and the NIF comes first:
- Get a NIF. You can do this remotely, before you ever enter Portugal. Non-EU applicants sign a power of attorney so a representative can register them with Finanças. If you are new to the term, our explainer on what a NIF is and why you need one covers the basics.
- Open a Portuguese bank account. This step requires the NIF, which is exactly why you secure the number first. See our walkthrough on opening a Portuguese bank account for the details.
- Transfer and show proof of funds. You move money into the account and keep documentation ready to demonstrate it.
- Find accommodation. A lease or a booking in Portugal; a landlord will also ask for your NIF.
- Submit the visa application at the Portuguese consulate or visa centre in your country of residence. The submission requires proof of your NIF and a Portuguese bank account, so steps one and two are prerequisites, not optional extras.
Because the bank account depends on the NIF, and the application depends on the bank account, a delay at the start ripples through everything. That is the main reason applicants register their NIF remotely and early.
What you need for the NIF step
| Document | What works |
|---|---|
| Passport | The photo page, sharp and uncropped. EU citizens can use their national ID card. |
| Proof of address | A recent utility bill, bank statement or lease in your name, from where you live now |
| Power of attorney | Signed on screen; given to a lawyer, it needs no notary and no apostille |
Your income documents, criminal record certificate and health insurance belong to the visa application itself, not to the NIF. Applying for a child as well? Children need their own passport or ID card and their birth certificate; see NIF for children and families.
D7 versus D8: which one is yours
The two visas look similar on paper but target different income profiles.
| D7 | D8 (digital nomad) | |
|---|---|---|
| Who it is for | Retirees and people with passive income | Remote workers and freelancers |
| Kind of income | Pensions, rental income, dividends | Active income from an employer or clients outside Portugal |
| Income level | Tied to the Portuguese minimum wage | About four times the Portuguese minimum wage |
| NIF and Portuguese bank account | Needed before you apply | Needed before you apply |
The D7 is the passive or stable income visa. It is built for retirees and passive-income earners who can show steady money from pensions, rental income, or dividends. The key word is passive: the income arrives without you actively working for it.
The D8 is the Digital Nomad Visa. It is for remote workers and freelancers with active income, meaning earnings you generate through ongoing work for an employer or clients outside Portugal. As of 2026 the D8 carries a minimum income requirement around 3,680 euros per month, roughly four times the Portuguese minimum wage. Our NIF for the digital nomad visa guide goes through the D8 step by step.
A note on the money figures
Proof of funds is often cited at around 11,040 euros held in your Portuguese bank account before you apply. Treat both this number and the monthly D8 minimum as moving targets. They track the Portuguese minimum wage and are adjusted each year, so always confirm the current figures with the consulate before you apply rather than relying on an article date.
Planning the timeline
- NIF: Coepi files the same day your documents are complete; how long the Tax Authority takes after that is on our live turnaround page.
- Bank account: some banks open accounts remotely for non-residents, others want you in a branch. Ask before you book travel.
- Consulate appointment: in many countries the wait for an appointment is the longest part. Book it as soon as your NIF and bank account are under way, and check that both will be ready by the date.
Do you need a fiscal representative?
Not for the NIF. Since 2022 a non-resident does not need a fiscal representative to get one, and once you have something taxable in Portugal you can usually meet the duty for free with electronic notifications. When you move and register your Portuguese address, the question falls away. The rule, with the Tax Authority's own documents, is in you do not need a fiscal representative to get a NIF.
Two more things worth knowing
Residence applications are now handled by AIMA, the agency that replaced the former SEF. If a guide still references SEF, it is out of date.
Tax planning is also part of the picture. The well-known NHR scheme has closed to new entrants and has been succeeded by a new framework. If you are weighing the tax side of your move, read our overview of the NHR closure and the IFICI regime before you commit to a structure.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get the NIF before I have the visa? Yes, and you should. The NIF does not depend on your visa or residence status.
Does the NIF make me a Portuguese tax resident? No. Tax residence depends on where you live, not on holding the number.
Do I need a Portuguese address for the NIF? No. You register with your current address abroad and change it on the Portal das Finanças once you move; see how to update your NIF address.
Will the NIF change when my visa is approved? No. The number is yours for life; only the address on file changes.
Getting started
The fastest way to unblock the rest of the process is to lock in your tax number now. You can get your Portuguese NIF online without travelling, then move on to the bank account and funds with confidence.
Ready to take the first step? Get your NIF with Coepi for a flat 39.99 euros including VAT, fully online, submitted the same day.