Streamlined ID process for foreign residents launched
The system is initially available at 10 locations nationwide - including Braga, Cascais, Lisbon, Olhão, Lagos, Setúbal, Porto, Loures, Oeiras, and Faro - with plans for a gradual expansion.
Since Monday, foreign residents in Portugal can apply for multiple essential identification numbers in a single step, significantly simplifying bureaucratic procedures and reducing strain on public services.
The measure, part of the Action Plan for Migration, allows eligible individuals to obtain their Tax Identification Number (NIF), Social Security Identification Number (NISS), and National Health User Number (NNU) all at once—either in person at designated service centers or remotely using a digital mobile key.
“This is an important measure because it simplifies people’s lives,” said Margarida Balseiro Lopes, Minister of Youth and Modernization, in an interview with Lusa News Agency.
“Instead of visiting three different public offices, citizens can now handle everything at a single service point—or even from home, thanks to digital services.”
How the New System Works
To mark the launch of the initiative, the Minister of Youth and Modernization and the Minister of the Presidency visited a Cidadão Service Center in Loures at 12:00 PM on Monday.
The system is initially available at 10 locations nationwide—including Braga, Cascais, Lisbon, Olhão, Lagos, Setúbal, Porto, Loures, Oeiras, and Faro—with plans for a gradual expansion to Portugal’s 930+ service centers.
Through this streamlined process, applicants will receive their identification details via email, eliminating the need for in-person visits.
According to Balseiro Lopes, this change will also help alleviate staff workload at public service offices, which often struggle with high demand.
Who Can Benefit?
The initiative is aimed at foreign citizens who do not hold a Portuguese Citizen Card but have already secured or applied for a residence permit. It also applies to:
Nationals of European Union countries
Individuals with refugee status or international protection
Breaking Language Barriers
Recognizing that language barriers can make administrative processes difficult for non-Portuguese speakers, the Portuguese government has also launched a virtual assistant on gov.pt to provide guidance in 12 languages.
“Many foreign residents in Portugal do not yet speak Portuguese, which can make accessing information challenging,” the Minister acknowledged.
“Now, the virtual assistant will walk users through every step of the process and direct them to the appropriate service center.”
A Step Toward Greater Efficiency
The measure, which was initially announced in June 2023 as part of the Simplex Program, required extensive coordination between multiple agencies, including:
The Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum
The Administrative Modernization Agency
The Tax Authority
Health and Social Security Services
According to the Portuguese government, the initiative is expected to enhance efficiency in public administration by reducing in-person visits while ensuring faster, more accessible services for foreign residents.
For more information, residents can contact the Citizen Line (210 489 010) or visit the Single Digital Services Portal (gov.pt).