If you’re moving to Portugal to study — Erasmus, university, language school, or a full degree — you’ll quickly discover that many “simple” steps depend on one thing: a Portuguese NIF (Número de Identificação Fiscal).

You may need a NIF to:

• sign a rental contract,

• open a Portuguese bank account,

• set up utilities or a phone plan,

• enroll in certain services,

• and handle basic admin tasks while living in Portugal.

This guide explains the fastest ways students can get a NIF in 2026, including the free options (and why they often take longer than expected).

Getting a Portuguese NIF (tax number) for a child is common — you may need it for school, healthcare, and other official registrations. Portuguese government guidance even notes that children and young people may need a NIF so parents can include health and education expenses in their annual tax return. This guide explains who can request a NIF for a minor, the documents you’ll need, and the two main routes: in person (Finanças) or online via e-Balcão.