ZOm

Hi all,
We just arrived in Albufeira last night and staying at the Vila Petra while we look for somewhere to stay for the next 4-6 months.
Do we need NIFs to rent a place for that long?
We wont be buying a car or opening a bank account unless its necessary to pay bills.

Thanks guys,

Mark and Elle

Rambling archer

Are you British and intending to stay as Residents ... Are you intending to stay as residents from wherever? If not you do not need an NIF but normally I believe you can only stay max 90 days before you have to sort out your intended residency status, and if that is after December 31st this year, then run into all kinds of complications if British - See other threads on this site. Residents and other folk with reason to stay say 4-6 months will normally come across the need for an NIF - and what will you do for health care?

toots sweet

Personally I would apply for a NIF. It's like not having a social security no in the UK.
Are you planning on paying all your bills by cash including your rental accommodation.?
If you are from a non euro country, it would be a nuisance to have to keep exchanging your cash for euros when you need to pay bills. A credit card would probably not be accepted by an accomodation owner, so cask/bank transfer would be needed.

Loafing Along

If you rent that long from a Portuguese landlord you should get one as the landlord should be declaring the rental income and will have a formal contract .

ZOm

Yes we are British, with EHICs.
Right, so I guess we should just get a NIF and apply for residency ASAP then....just in case. We may just move around, a month here, a month there until someone works out whether we are allowed to stay past 31 Mar??

ZOm

Sorry for the questions but do we need an actual lease to claim residency or can we be 'on the road'?

Loafing Along

You will need an actual lease, particularly if you apply for a NIF it will be registered at your address , the same if you apply for residency

BillBullock

Your EHIC will not be valid after 31 December. You will need private health insurance or at least travel insurance unless you become a resident in Portugal.

ZOm

So I need a NIF to get a lease but I need a lease to get a NIF???

I dont think you need a Portugese address to get your NIF...think I read that somewhere. Just proof of british address if i remember rightly.

Loafing Along

Think you are right but if you wish to register on the Finanzas site with your NIF you need a Portuguese address for them to send the initial access password.

EU.flag

Little bit of confusing info posted here.
You do need proof of address for NIF application, UK bill with address can be used.

However, with UK address registered, you will be recorded as non-resident.
To change status for resident, you need proof of PT address.

Online access password will be sent to whatever address is on file.

You can apply for NIF online, with someone as your representative.
https://eportugal.gov.pt/noticias/pe...recem-nascidos