Ultimate Guide: NIF Password Change Simplified

Key things to remember about the NIF password document

• It's Physical Mail: The initial password always comes via physical mail. Be patient and allow several weeks for delivery.
• Look for "Senha de Acesso Internet": This phrase identifies the actual password you need to log in to the Portal das Finanças.
• It's Temporary: The password you receive is a temporary password. You must change it immediately after logging in for the first time.

⚠️ Nothing will happen if you don't change, it's just advisable and extremely recommended to change immediately after receiving it.

• Keep the Document Safe (Initially): While you'll change the password, it's a good idea to keep the original document in a safe place, at least until you've successfully logged in and changed the password. It serves as proof that you received your initial credentials.

Obtaining Your Initial NIF Password: A Step-by-Step Guide

The process of receiving your initial password can feel a bit tricky, but understanding the steps makes it much less daunting:

NIF Application: The first step is always applying for your NIF. This can be done in person at a Finanças office, through a representative, or online (depending on your residency status).

Password Request: Once you have your NIF, a password request must be initiated with the Autoridade Tributária (AT). This is will be done automatically when you obtain your NIF with us, however if you are doing by yourself, you'll need to request at Finanças website.

1. You'll need to go to ‘Portal das Finanças’ website
2. At the homepage you'll look for ‘Registar-se’ on the top bar, at the right side
3. You'll select ‘Registo NIF’, insert your NIF and click ‘Registo com NIF'
4. You must fill the form with your email, a Portuguese phone number, the address provided when requesting a NIF (if you have a Fiscal Representative it will be their address), a safe secret question to be chosen, and the answer to it to be written.
5. After that click on ‘Registar’ and you're done!

The Waiting Game: Unlike many online services, the Portuguese tax office doesn't email your password for security reasons. Instead, they physically mail a password to your registered fiscal address or to your designated fiscal representative (if you have one). This postal delivery can take anywhere from 3 to 4 weeks, sometimes longer.

Locating Your NIF Password: You'll receive a small letter from ‘Finanças’. Inside the document, search for "Senha de Acesso Internet." This will be your password.

First login and NIF password change

Once you've obtained your temporary password, it's crucial to log in to the Portal das Finanças and immediately change it to something more secure:

1. Navigate to the Portal: Open your web browser and go to portaldasfinancas.gov.pt. Locate the "Iniciar Sessão" (Login) button, typically found in the top right corner of the page, and click on it.
2. Enter Your Credentials: On the login screen, you'll see two fields. In the first field, enter your 9-digit NIF number. In the second field, carefully type in the temporary password you received. Double-check for accuracy to avoid login errors. Click the blue button to proceed.
3. Initiate the Password Change: After successfully logging in, your top priority is to change the temporary password to a strong, personal password. Use the portal's search bar (usually located prominently on the homepage) and type "senha" (which translates to "password" in Portuguese). Press Enter or click the search icon.
4. Access the Password Change Section: The search results will display various options related to passwords. Look for the heading "Alterar Dados de Acesso" (Change Access Data). Underneath this heading, click on the "Aceder" (Access) button.
5. Confirm and Update: You'll be prompted to re-enter your temporary password for verification. Once confirmed, check the box next to "Alterar Senha" (Change Password). In the provided fields, enter your new, strong password (it must be at least 8 characters long and ideally include a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols). Confirm the new password by typing it again in the designated field. Finally, click the green button to save your changes.

NIF password recovery: What to do if you forget?

Forgetting your password is a common occurrence. Fortunately, the Portal das Finanças offers several recovery options:

Option 1: Security Question

Visit the Portal das Finanças and use the search bar to find "recuperar senha" (recover password).

Enter your NIF and accurately answer the security question you set during the registration process.

If you have a verified Portuguese mobile number associated with your account, you can choose to receive a recovery code via SMS. This is the fastest method. If not, a new password will be generated and mailed to your registered fiscal address.

Option 2: Email (The More Involved Route)

If you remember the email address used during registration: Send an email from that address to [email protected] with the subject line "Cancelamento de senha NIF [your NIF]". In the body of the email, include your full name, fiscal address, and NIF. Once you receive a confirmation email (which may take a few days), you can re-register on the Portal das Finanças.

If you don't remember the email address or no longer have access to it: Send an email to [email protected] with the subject line "Cancelamento de senha NIF [your NIF]". Include the same information as above (full name, fiscal address, and NIF). Crucially, you must also attach a scanned copy of your official identification document (passport, Cartão de Residência, etc.) to verify your identity, along with a signed written request to cancel your current password and issue a new one. Clearly state your NIF, full name, fiscal address, and the reason for your request in the signed document.

How can I manage my NIF password?

• Verify Your Fiscal Address: Regularly confirm that your fiscal address is accurate and up-to-date with the Finanças. This ensures you receive all official correspondence, including password-related mail.
• Create a Robust Password: Employ a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special symbols to create a strong and difficult-to-guess password. Avoid using easily discernible information like your birthdate or name.
• Safeguard Your Password: Never disclose your password to anyone, regardless of their purported affiliation with the Finanças or other organizations.
• Stay Vigilant Against Scams: The Autoridade Tributária will never request your password via email, phone, or any other unsolicited communication. Be extremely wary of phishing attempts and fraudulent schemes.
• Fiabilizar Your Contacts: Fiabilizar (verify) your email address and Portuguese mobile phone number within the Portal das Finanças. This significantly simplifies the password recovery process and allows you to receive important notifications via SMS. You can do this in "Dados Cadastrais" > "Dados de Contato" > "Email/Telefone".

Can I grant NIF password access to my contabilista (Certified Accountant)?

In Portugal, it's common to engage a ‘Contabilista Certificado’ (certified accountant) to manage your tax affairs.

You can securely grant them access to your Portal das Finanças account without divulging your personal password. This is accomplished through the "Gestão de Utilizadores" (User Management) section of the portal.

Your accountant can then perform tasks such as submitting tax returns, issuing invoices, and managing your tax obligations on your behalf.