🔗 KEY LINKS | Tax Identification (NIF): Portal das Finanças
Labor Laws and Employment:Working in Portugal - gov.pt |
To work legally in Portugal, access social security benefits, and ensure both parties are protected under labor laws, employment must be declared for both Portuguese and foreign nationals intending to work in Portugal.
Declaring an employment contract involves formalizing the agreement between an employer and an employee, ensuring compliance with Portuguese labor laws. As an employee, you do not have to personally declare your employment. In Portugal, it is the employer’s legal responsibility to declare the employment contract to the Portuguese Social Security.
Register the worker with Social Security before the work begins.
Withhold and pay social security contributions.
Report the employment details via the Segurança Social Directa portal.
Make sure you have a NIF (Tax Number) and ideally a NISS (Social Security Number), although not always necessary.
Sign the contract and keep a copy.
Confirm with your employer that they are completing the registration correctly.
1. Obtain a Tax Identification Number (NIF)
Where: Local Tax Office (Serviço de Finanças)
Documents Needed:
Valid passport or ID card.
Proof of address.
Note: For more information on getting a NIF, check this article.
2. Secure a Social Security Number (NISS)
Where: Local Social Security Office (Segurança Social).
Documents Needed:
NIF.
Valid passport or ID card.
Employment contract or promise of employment.
Note: For more information on getting a NISS, check this article
For NIF:
Valid passport or ID card.
Proof of address.
Note: For more information on getting a NIF, check this article.
For NISS:
NIF.
Valid passport or ID card.
Employment contract or promise of employment.
Note: For more information on getting a NISS, check this article
If your employer is informal or not fulfilling their obligations — for instance, if you aren’t receiving payslips or social security isn’t being paid — you may need to report them or seek legal advice.
If you're self-employed, you must register yourself with Social Security and the Tax Authority.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS | |
---|---|
Can I start working without a NISS? | Yes, as of December 2024, employers can conclude employment contracts with foreign citizens even if they do not yet have a NISS. |
Is a written employment contract mandatory? | While not mandatory for all types of employment, it's required for fixed, term, part-time, remote work, and contracts with foreign workers. |
How soon should the employment contract be registered with Social Security? | The contract should be registered within 24 hours of the employee starting work. |
⚠️ SCAMS TO BE CAREFUL OF?
Be cautious of individuals or agencies offering to expedite NIF or NISS registration for a fee. These processes are straightforward and can be done personally at the respective offices.
Ensure that any employment contract is legitimate and not a means to exploit workers, especially for foreign nationals.
🗞️ NEWS TO BE AWARE OF
HELP US STAY UP TO DATE: REPORT AN ISSUE, SUGGEST AN EDIT OR LET US KNOW IF YOU ARE AWARE OF ANY NEWS OR SCAMS THAT SHOULD BE SHARED!
Thank you for getting in touch!
One of our colleagues will get back to you shortly.
Have a great day!