Expat blog about Portugal
Practical reading for people settling in Portugal: where to live, what things cost, how procedures really work. Page 3 of 3.
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Birth certificates in Portugal: getting one, and using a foreign one
Ordering a Portuguese birth certificate on Civil Online (10 €, paid within 48 hours, access code valid six months, legal value of a paper certificate), paper certificates at any registry, apostilles, and the rules for foreign certificates used in Portugal — long form, recent, apostilled, translated.
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Changing the address on your NIF: why it matters and how to do it
The address in your tax file decides your residence status and where notices are served. A move has no effect until reported to Finanças, and a change of residence status must be declared within 60 days.
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Non-debt certificates: proving you owe nothing to Finanças or Social Security
Proof that you owe nothing to Finanças and to Social Security comes from two free online certificates — the tax situation certificate, valid four months, and the contributory statement. Where they are required and how to obtain them.
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Practising Portuguese in Portugal: official courses, free resources, a plan
The free PLA courses (public schools, IEFP, Qualifica) that certify the A2 required for the permanent permit and nationality, the CAPLE exams, university language centres, RTP Play and RTP Ensina, the Camões institute's resources, public libraries — and a twelve-month routine to the exam.
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How to get your Portuguese social security number (NISS) in 2026
The NISS is requested online, by you, a representative or the employer hiring you, with your NIF and a residence document or contract. Free and for life — here is the 2026 procedure and the mistakes that delay it.
