To gain access to social security benefits, you need to get a NISS in Portuguese.

Any foreign citizen who is in Portuguese territory legally, regardless whether they carry out a professional activity or are bounded to the social security system, can require their registration in the social security system (allocation of a NISS).

The request for the allocation of a NISS is made through an online form available on the Social Security Portal – menu ‘Citizen’ – ‘Registration – Allocation of a Portuguese Social Security Identification Number to Foreign Citizens on Time’ – ‘Social Security Identification Number application form’.

Please note: When the application is submitted by the Employer, it is exclusively aimed to the allocation of a Social Security Identification Number to the foreign citizen, being the Employer required to communicate the worker’s employment relationship, through the Social Security Online Service (SSD – Segurança Social Direta).

RIAC – Integrated Citizen Support Network or consult the Social Security website www.seg-social.pt.