Portugal NIF for Germans: How to Get It, What It Costs (€39.99)

Why do Germans need a Portuguese NIF?

The NIF (Número de Identificação Fiscal) is Portugal's 9-digit tax identification number, issued by the Portuguese Tax Authority (Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira). You need it for almost everything in Portugal: opening a bank account, renting or buying property, signing an employment or freelance contract, setting up utilities, and applying for residency or visas. For a full overview, see what a NIF is and why you need one.

Pitfall #1: Your German Steuer-ID is not a NIF

A common misunderstanding: the German Steueridentifikationsnummer (Steuer-ID) and the Portuguese NIF are completely separate numbers from different tax authorities. Your Steuer-ID has no function in Portugal, and your NIF has no function in Germany. If a Portuguese bank, landlord or consulate asks for your "tax number" in the Portuguese context, they mean the NIF. You have to apply for it separately.

How do you get a NIF from Germany?

Two routes:

1. In person in Portugal: free. If you walk into a Finanças office or a Loja do Cidadão, the NIF is issued free of charge. You need to be in Portugal, usually book an appointment in advance, and handle the process in Portuguese. Our free DIY NIF guide covers the appointment, the forms and what to bring.
2. Online from Germany, with a power of attorney. If you are not in Portugal, you cannot file the application at a Finanças counter yourself. Online services submit the application through a Portugal-based representative with a power of attorney you sign online. With Coepi you upload your passport and a proof of address from Germany (a recent utility bill, bank statement or Meldebescheinigung), e-sign the power of attorney, and receive the official NIF document as a PDF by email.

What does it cost?

Online NIF services charge anywhere from about €40 to €150+, and many add a yearly fee that renews automatically. At Coepi the price is a flat €39.99 including VAT, one time: application handling and document verification by our legal team are included. There is no recurring fee. The full breakdown is on our pricing page, and our date-stamped NIF price comparison shows how the named providers compare.

NIF first, then the visa: D7, D8 and the Auswanderer context

If you are planning a move to Portugal, whether on a D7 (passive income), a D8 (digital nomad) visa, or a classic Auswanderung, the NIF is typically one of the very first documents you need, because visa applications, bank accounts and rental contracts all build on it. You do not need a visa first; the NIF comes before it. Details in our guide to the NIF for D7 and D8 visa applications.

Pitfall #2: The Portal das Finanças password comes by post

Your login password for the Portal das Finanças is never sent by email. It is posted by CTT to the fiscal address registered against your NIF, officially in about 5 working days, often closer to 2 weeks. If your registered address is wrong, the letter is lost, so keep your fiscal address current. The full process is in our Portal das Finanças password guide.

The bottom line for Germans

• Your German Steuer-ID does not replace the NIF. Apply for the NIF separately.
• In Portugal? Do it yourself for free with our DIY guide.
• In Germany? Get your NIF online for €39.99 all-in, no recurring fees.

Prices checked September 2026. Competitor pricing can change; check each provider's site for current rates. This guide is informational and does not constitute legal or tax advice.