# [[Moving to Portugal]] Here are some things you'll need to do when moving to [[Portugal]], based on my own experience. As a disclaimer, what follows below is a description of my experience only, so please don't take it as official advice. For example, I am an EU citizen, so the process for me is a little shorter than for one who is not an EU citizen. I also chose to move to [[Setúbal]], so many of the links go to local services that may not apply to other areas of Portugal. ## Get a NIF A [[NIF]] is a Número de Identificação Fiscal or Tax Identification Number. [[How to get a NIF in Portugal|Getting a NIF]] is required for anyone wishing to do business in Portugal, and you don't have to be a Portugese resident/citizen to do it. I was able to do it as a Dutch citizen. ## Look for a house [[Buying a house in Portugal]] ## Get a residency permit People may tell you that you need to go to [SEF](https://www.sef.pt/), the department of immigration. If you're an EU citizen, ignore them. You actually need to go to your city hall or local municipality (In [[Setúbal]] this [here](https://www.mun-setubal.pt/)). Call them or go to them to make an appointment. You'll need your NIF, passport (or other national ID), a copy of your _scriptura_ (to prove that you live in your Portuguese address), and a utilities contract for your address. If you have a spouse that you'd also like to get a resident certificate for, you'll need to show a marriage certificate. The residency certificate is issued immediately. ## Change the name of the apartment with Finanças Make an apppointment with Serviços de Finanças (Patrimonio) to change the name on the national housing register for your house to your name. You'll need a copy of the _scriptura_, and strangely, you don't even need your ID. It's done immediately. This should be done 90 days after signing the house purchase contract. ## Register as a tax resident Make an appointment with Serviços de Finanças again (this time for Rendimiento) to officially register yourself as a tax resident in Portugal by changing the address on your [[NIF]] to your Portuguese address. While you're here, also ask for access to the [Portal das Finanças](https://www.portaldasfinancas.gov.pt/). You'll get a code that they send to your address. You can then use this code to create your own account on the portal. From the portal, you can do things like apply for the [[Portuguese Non-Habitual Residency Program|NHR]]. ## Find an accountant Consider applying for the [[Portuguese Non-Habitual Residency Program|NHR]] if you are eligible. Either way, unless you're comfortable with the language, find an accountant who can help you with this and other tax matters. ## Drive in Portugal EU citizens with driver's licenses issued from countries within the EU can continue to use their licenses until they expire. However, you do need to let [IMT](https://www.imt-ip.pt/) know 30 days after you get your residence certificate, or face heavy fines. ## Services in Portugal ### Mobile ### Internet