NIF number in Portugal: get it at the consulate
The NIF number in Portugal, the tax identification number, registers a person with the tax administration. Anyone can request it at any time at the consular office (source).
What to bring to the office
- Full name, no abbreviations
- Citizen Card, ID card or passport number
- Home address
- Name and address of the tax representative, if any
- The tax representation document, if any
List from the Portal das Comunidades (source).
When you already have a NIF
The NIF appears automatically on the Citizen Card of Portuguese citizens living in the EU and, for those living elsewhere, if they had one when they lived in Portugal (source). See Citizen Card.
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Portuguese citizen with an old NIF | Check the Citizen Card |
| No NIF, living in the U.S. | Request it at the consular office |
| With property, income or an inheritance in Portugal | Name a tax representative |
Where to book
The NIF is handled at the office for your area: see how each one books in Citizen Card, which uses the same system.
How each office takes payment
| Office | Accepted payment |
|---|---|
| Boston | Card (2.63% + $0.10 surcharge), cash or money order (source) |
| Newark | Cash or money order only (source) |
| New Bedford | Cash or money order (source) |
| Providence | Cash only (source) |
| San Francisco | The exchange rate changes every month; at outreach visits, 20% more (source) |
Fees are charged in dollars at the month’s exchange rate: New York’s November 2026 table, for example, puts the Citizen Card for people over 25 at $25.80 (source).
Consular outreach visits in 2026
Away from their offices, the posts hold consular outreach visits. These are the places the Portal das Comunidades lists for 2026 (source); dates and bookings are on each office’s page.
| Office | Outreach visits in 2026 |
|---|---|
| Washington | Chicago, Houston, Miami |
| Boston | Cambridge, Chicopee, Gloucester, Hudson, Lowell, Ludlow, Milford, Norwood, Peabody, Somerville, Stoughton |
| Newark | Philadelphia, Wilmington |
| New York | Farmingville, Jamaica (Queens), Mineola, Mount Vernon, Naugatuck, Ossining, Tarrytown, Yonkers |
| San Francisco | Artesia, Colorado Springs, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Portland, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Jose, Seattle, Tulare, Turlock |
| New Bedford | Fall River |
How each office books appointments
| Office | How to book |
|---|---|
| Washington | MNE booking platform; next month’s slots released by the 10th (source) |
| Palm Coast | The office’s own online platform (source) |
| Boston | Online booking; also takes walk-ins (source) |
| Newark | Walk-in Monday to Wednesday (up to 50 acts); Thursday by appointment (source) |
| New York | Appointment only; slots open in the last week of the month (source) |
| San Francisco | Appointment only; two months open (source) |
| New Bedford | Walk-in, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., except Wednesdays (source) |
| Providence | Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (source) |
Questions people ask
The real questions people search about this procedure, with the short answer:
How do I get a NIF for Portugal from the U.S.?
At the consular office for your area, with your ID details and address (source).