Your first weeks working abroad – registration, tax, insurance

1. Registration certificate (certificado de registo de cidadão da UE): if you stay longer than 3 months, apply within 30 days after the first 3 months at the town hall (Câmara Municipal) where you live. You need your ID card or passport and a signed statement that you work in Portugal. It takes at least one month to issue and is valid for up to five years.
2. Tax number (NIF): apply at a tax office (Serviço de Finanças). You need it for your job contract, a bank account and renting a flat.
3. Social security number (NISS): apply when you start work.
4. Health service: register at your local health centre (Centro de Saúde) to get your National Health Service (SNS) user number.
5. Tax: under IRS Jovem (since 2025) young people up to 35 who are not dependants pay no income tax on 100% of their work income in their first year, 75% in years 2–4, 50% in years 5–7 and 25% in years 8–10 – up to a yearly cap of 55 times the social support index (IAS).
6. Bank account: salaries are normally paid by bank transfer.

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