Since Brexit, British citizens get a Portuguese NIF the way other non-EU citizens do: with a UK passport and a recent UK proof of address, and a power of attorney you sign online so a Portuguese lawyer can file for you. You do not need to travel or appoint a paid fiscal representative to get the number. With Coepi it costs €39.99 including VAT, charged once.
TL;DR: Since Brexit, British citizens get a Portuguese NIF the way other non-EU citizens do: with a UK passport and a recent UK proof of address, and a power of attorney you sign online so a Portuguese lawyer can file for you. You do not need to travel or appoint a paid fiscal representative to get the number. With Coepi it costs €39.99 including VAT, charged once.
What changed with Brexit
Before 2021, UK citizens were EU citizens for Portuguese tax purposes. Since Brexit they are not, and three things follow:
- You apply with your passport. A UK driving licence is not an identity document for the application.
- You are a non-EU applicant. Older guides still tell Britons they must hire a fiscal representative to get a NIF. Since 2022 that is not true: the law lets non-residents outside the EU meet the duty with electronic notifications, and only once they have something taxable in Portugal. The details are in you do not need a fiscal representative to get a NIF.
- Residency is a separate step. If you plan to live in Portugal, you will need a visa such as the D7 or the D8, and the NIF comes before it.
If you already had a NIF from before 2021, it is still valid. A NIF is for life; you only update your address with Finanças.
What you need
| Document | What works |
|---|---|
| UK passport | The photo page, sharp and uncropped |
| Proof of address | A recent council tax bill, utility bill or bank statement showing your UK address |
No apostille, no notary and no certified translation are needed for the NIF application itself.
How it works
- Upload your passport and proof of address. Both are checked before anything is filed.
- Sign the power of attorney on screen. Given to a lawyer, it needs no notary.
- A Portuguese lawyer files your application the same day your documents are complete.
- You receive the official NIF document as a PDF. How long the Tax Authority is taking right now is on our live turnaround page.
What it costs
The number is free at a Finanças office in Portugal; from the UK you pay for the service. Coepi charges €39.99 including VAT, once, with nothing to renew. Bordr charges $150 and then $150 a year after the first 12 months, and NIF Express charges €49.99 and then €49.99 a year (both checked on 21 October 2026). See every provider side by side on our NIF price comparison.
Why Britons get a NIF
- Buying a holiday home. The purchase deed, the IMT transfer tax and the yearly IMI property tax all run on your NIF.
- Moving to Portugal. A bank account, a lease and most visa applications need it first.
- Inheritance or a Portuguese pension. Any tax matter in Portugal starts with the number.
Who charges what, by name: cheapest NIF in Portugal.
Frequently asked questions
I had a NIF before Brexit. Do I need a new one? No. The number stays the same for life. Update your address if it changed.
Can I use my Irish passport instead? If you hold one, yes, and you then apply as an EU citizen with the Irish passport or ID card.
Do I need to be in Portugal? No. Everything happens online, from anywhere in the UK.
Ready? Get your Portuguese NIF online for €39.99, filed by a Portuguese lawyer the same day.
Reviewed for legal accuracy by Thaís R. Garrido, Advogada, OA n.º 58735L.