Arriving in Portugal: What to Do Next (The Real Checklist for New Arrivals)
When you finally arrive in Portugal, you think the hard part’s over — the packing, the visa, the flights. But actually, that’s when the real paperwork begins.
If you’re new to Portugal — or even if you’ve been here a while — this checklist will help you make sure you’re properly registered, legally settled, and ready to enjoy your new life without unexpected surprises.
Let’s get started.
1. Set Up Your Digital Key (Chave Móvel Digital)
This is essential for dealing with Portuguese bureaucracy online.
The easiest place to register is your local Citizen Shop (Loja do Cidadão). Once activated, you can log into everything from the Finanças portal (tax site) to your health records and social security. It’s the key that opens all the digital doors in Portugal.
2. Register as a Resident & Become Tax Legal
You’re officially a tax resident once you’ve been in Portugal for 183 days or made it your permanent home.
That status matters, because everything else — healthcare, NISS, and even driving — depends on being registered correctly.
Head to your local Finanças office to update your address and confirm your NIF is marked as resident (not non-resident). You’ll need an appointment, so ask for a marcação para mudar a morada fiscal.
Once your new address is approved, you’ll get a confirmation code by post — log in to the Finanças portal to confirm it.
While you’re at it, find an accountant. Your Portuguese tax return is always filed a year in arrears (so your 2025 income is declared in 2026). For a simple return, you shouldn’t be paying hundreds of euros — around €40–€60 is typical for basic cases.
If you stay listed as non-resident, Portugal withholds 25% tax on your income — so it’s worth sorting out early.
3. Get Your NISS (Social Security Number)
Everyone needs a NISS, even if you’re not currently working. Without it, you can’t register for public healthcare.
Go to one of the main Citizen Shops in larger cities (Lisbon, Coimbra, Porto, etc.) and bring:
Your passport or residence card
NIF
Proof of address
Residency document (CRUE, AIMA receipt, or residence card)
Once issued, you can create an account on the Segurança Social Direta portal.
It’s useful even if you’re not self-employed yet — you can view contributions, access benefits, and it links your details to the health system. It can take a while to activate, so set it up early.
4. Register for Public Healthcare (SNS)
Take your NISS, NIF, and ID to your local Centro de Saúde to register for the Serviço Nacional de Saúde (SNS).
You’ll receive your SNS number, which allows you to access the public health system.
Be patient — it can take time to get a family doctor (médico de família), but you can still use urgent care and walk-in services.
Download the MySNS Carteira app to store your digital health card.
5. Exchanging or Registering Your Driving Licence
This depends on where you’re from.
UK citizens: Your UK licence is recognised in Portugal until age 60. Just register it with IMT (the road authority) and exchange it later, or sooner if you prefer a Portuguese ID card.
US citizens: You must exchange your licence within 90 days of obtaining Portuguese residency.
Documents required include your passport, residence card, NIF, valid US licence, recent driving record, Portuguese medical certificate, and passport photos.
No driving test is normally needed — it’s a straight swap, though IMT may request official translations. You’ll usually get a temporary paper permit while waiting for the new card.
6. Get Familiar with Finanças
Once you’ve got your digital key and login, explore the Portal das Finanças.
You’ll use it for:
Paying IMI (property tax) and IUC (car tax)
Viewing receipts
Filing income tax returns
Even if you use an accountant, understanding how it works saves time and avoids mistakes.
Tip: use Google Chrome’s auto-translate tool — it handles the Portuguese menus surprisingly well.
7. Set Up the Practical Stuff
Now’s the time to handle the daily essentials:
Bank online access
Electricity and water in your name
Internet and phone contracts
Car registration and insurance
Portugal does love paperwork, but once you’ve done it once, it’s straightforward the next time. Expect to spend plenty of time at your local post office and Finanças during your first few weeks.
8. If You Brought a Pet
If you’ve moved with pets, there are a few extra steps:
Microchip & registration:
All dogs and cats must be microchipped and registered on SIAC (Sistema de Informação de Animais de Companhia). If your pet was chipped abroad, your local vet will update it in the Portuguese database.
Vet registration:
Find a local vet quickly — they’ll keep vaccinations updated and can help with your municipal dog licence, usually issued by your Junta de Freguesia.
Insurance:
Not mandatory for all pets, but third-party liability is highly recommended (and required for certain breeds). Popular providers include Fidelidade, Tranquilidade, and ACP Pet insurance.
Municipal licence (dogs):
Once you have the SIAC registration and vaccination proof, take it to your Junta de Freguesia for the annual licence.
9. Settling In & Mindset
The first few weeks can feel like you’re living in paperwork purgatory — but everyone goes through it.
Do one job a day, keep a sense of humour, and reward yourself with a pastel de nata when you tick something off the list.
Once these essentials are done, life in Portugal really starts to feel like home.
And One More Thing…
Don’t forget to make a will.
Even if you already have one in your home country, it may not automatically apply in Portugal. A simple local will saves your family a great deal of stress later on and can be done affordably through a Portuguese notary.
Ready for More?
Your Casa Key offers relocation support, property scouting, and one-to-one guidance to help you settle in smoothly.
If you’re planning a move in 2025 or 2026, join our upcoming Members Club on Patreon for structured resources and practical help — all in plain English.
