How to get a Fiscal Number

[lagermeister]

Is it possible to get a Fiscal Number without going through a Solicitor? If so, how do you do it.

Thanks

[Bruxinha]

Yes, just go along to your local Serviço das Finanças and ask for one. Take ID e.g. passport and you will complete a form and be given a paper with a number on and eventually a plastic card with this number on. Preferably, if you don't speak Portuguese, take someone who does, or at least learn the basic phrases required to do this. If you are non-resident you will more than likely have to provide the name of your fiscal representative in Portugal.

[T.W]

We went in person to get our fiscal numbers last week at the finance office in Lagoa and were informed that as we are non resident that we could not obtain them ourselves and that they would only issue them to our fiscal representative. We use Sovereign for this and they obtained them for us. Not sure if you can use a Solicitor do obtain them.

Hope this helps

T.W

[Bruxinha]

Hmmm...it seems since they have tightened up the law regarding fiscal representation they have changed things then T.W. Interesting to know that. I know of legal reps that get their client's fiscal numbers/cards, but I was just thinking, why pay someone an exhorbitant fee when you can do it yourself. It may well be that the legal reps are acting as fiscal reps though. So, if you are a non-resident, get your fiscal rep to do it lagermeister, as T.W says.

[laserblazer]

Sorry for a niave Question but what's a fiscal number?

[Bruxinha]

It is like the UK National Insurance no. or taxation number You need it to open a bank account and to buy a property in Portugal.

[laserblazer]

Thanks.

[Summer]

Our lawyer didn't make any charge for obtaining our fiscal numbers, although we were using him at the time for purchasing a property. He has helped us out on numerous occasions since though with no charge for other such minor things to do with the finanças etc.

[biffa]

All non residents, corporate or individual must appoint a resident fiscal representative to perform any fiscally related activity in Portugal including opening a bank account.

Do beware of anyone offering to do this free of charge. It is an onerous responsibilty and you need to ensure your fiscal rep is "on the ball" when it comes to your personal tax matters. Last thing you want is your fiscal rep disappearing or acting sloppily!

[fmm]

My solicitor who is acting on the purchase of a property took me. She has quoted me a good price for the property purchase and sorting out the fiscal number was part of the service. She also brought along a translator (although the solicitor speaks and writes excellent English). The best bit was that she jumped the queue in the Lagoa office so we didn't have to wait as long as everyone else. Hope the rest of the purchase goes through that easily, but I bet it doesn't!

[Sheila]

We were charged 1500 euros for dealing with our land purchase. We were told this was a fixed fee + 12 euros for our fiscal numbers - that's one each for my husband and me.

This was done automatically for us. We didn't know what they were for or that we needed them at the time.

Also 50 euros for Misto authorisation - whatever that is!

[tbbr]

I have been tolf that if you are non resident and a non property owner there is a significant charge to get a fiscal number over 200 euros.

[jennym]

I am a non resident and non property owner (hoping to be in the future!) and I got my fiscal number via a solictor who did the whole thing in a day and completely free of charge!

[tbbr]

Jenny are you buying a property in your name if so no problem.