What Is the Combined Service?
If you are a foreign national settling in Portugal, you have traditionally needed to visit three separate government services to get the identification numbers required for daily life:
- NIF (Número de Identificação Fiscal) — your tax number, obtained at a Finanças office
- NISS (Número de Identificação de Segurança Social) — your social security number, obtained through Segurança Social
- SNS (Número de Utente do SNS) — your national health service number, obtained by registering at a health centre
That meant at least three trips to three different offices, often with separate appointments and waiting times. As of 17 September 2026, the Portuguese government introduced a combined service that lets eligible foreign nationals request all three numbers in a single appointment at participating Espaços Cidadão.
What Are Espaços Cidadão?
Espaços Cidadão are public service points spread across Portugal where citizens and residents can access a range of government services in one location. They are similar to the older Lojas do Cidadão but are typically smaller and more widely distributed across the country.
Who Is Eligible?
The combined service is designed for foreign nationals who already have an address in Portugal. Having a registered Portuguese address is a key requirement because all three numbers are linked to where you live.
However, not everyone may qualify. Eligibility depends on your specific situation, nationality, and legal status in Portugal. The official gov.pt service page sets out the full eligibility criteria.
Check Eligibility Before Booking
Do not assume you are eligible just because you are a foreign national with a Portuguese address. Visit the official gov.pt service page to confirm whether this combined service applies to your situation before booking an appointment.
Where Can You Use This Service?
The combined NIF, NISS, and SNS service is not available at every Espaço Cidadão. It is currently offered at a limited number of participating locations. At the time of writing, the government lists 12 Espaços Cidadão providing this service.
Because the list of participating locations may change as the service expands, we recommend checking the official source directly rather than relying on a list that could become outdated.
Find a Participating Location
Check the gov.pt service page for the current list of Espaços Cidadão offering the combined service. The list is maintained by the government and updated as new locations are added.
Documents You May Need
While the exact document requirements may vary depending on your nationality and situation, you should generally prepare the following before your appointment:
- Valid passport or national identity document
- Proof of address in Portugal — such as a rental contract, utility bill, or an official declaration confirming your Portuguese address
- Visa or residence permit (if applicable to your situation)
- Any other documents specified on the gov.pt service page for your particular case
Confirm Exact Requirements
The documents listed above are a general guide. The official gov.pt service page specifies exactly what you need to bring. Check before your appointment to avoid a wasted trip. You can also refer to our document checklist for general guidance on preparing paperwork for Portuguese government services.
How to Book an Appointment
Appointments for the combined service are booked through the official government channels. Here is the general process:
- Visit the gov.pt service page — go to the official combined service page and review the eligibility requirements and participating locations.
- Choose a participating Espaço Cidadão — select a location that is convenient for you from the list on the gov.pt page.
- Book your appointment — follow the booking instructions on the gov.pt page. The booking process is handled through the government's scheduling system.
- Gather your documents — prepare all the required documents listed on the service page before your appointment date.
Tip: Prepare Early
Since this is a new service with only 12 locations currently available, appointment slots may fill up quickly. Book as early as possible and have all your documents ready before your appointment to make the process smooth.
What to Expect at Your Appointment
The combined service is designed to handle all three registrations in a single visit. While the exact process may vary by location, here is a general idea of what to expect:
- Arrive on time — bring all your documents and your appointment confirmation.
- Present your documents — the staff will verify your identity, address, and eligibility for the combined service.
- Registration — your details will be registered with the tax authority (for the NIF), social security (for the NISS), and the national health service (for the SNS number).
- Receive your numbers — you should receive all three identification numbers as part of this single appointment.
Since you are registering with three separate government systems in one sitting, your appointment may take longer than a single-purpose visit. Be prepared to spend some time at the Espaço Cidadão.
Can You Still Get Each Number Separately?
Yes. The combined service is an additional option, not a replacement for the existing individual routes. You can still obtain each number through the traditional channels:
- NIF — apply in person at a Serviço de Finanças (tax office) or, for some EU citizens, online via the Portal das Finanças. See our complete NIF guide for step-by-step instructions.
- NISS — register through Segurança Social, either at a local office or through their online portal. See our NISS guide for details.
- SNS (Número de Utente) — register at your local health centre (centro de saúde) to receive your health service number. See our SNS registration guide.
The individual routes may be more practical if the combined service is not available near you, if you are not eligible for the combined service, or if you have already obtained one or two of the numbers and only need the remaining one.
Already Have One or Two Numbers?
If you already have your NIF but still need your NISS and SNS number (or any other combination), use the individual routes for the numbers you are missing. The combined service is primarily designed for people who need all three numbers at once.
Common Questions
Can I get my NIF, NISS, and SNS number in one appointment?
Yes, since 17 September 2026, eligible foreign nationals with a Portuguese address can request all three identification numbers together at participating Espaços Cidadão. Check the gov.pt service page for participating locations and eligibility requirements.
Which Espaços Cidadão offer the combined service?
The Portuguese government currently lists 12 Espaços Cidadão offering this combined service. The specific locations are listed on the official gov.pt service page. This list may be updated as the service expands to more locations.
Do I need a Portuguese address to use the combined service?
Yes. The combined NIF, NISS, and SNS service is available to foreign nationals who already have an address in Portugal. If you do not yet have a Portuguese address, you may need to use the individual routes for each number instead.
Can I still get my NIF, NISS, and SNS separately?
Yes. The combined service is an additional option, not a replacement. You can still obtain your NIF at a Finanças office, your NISS through Segurança Social, and your SNS number at a health centre, just as before.
What documents do I need for the combined appointment?
You will generally need a valid passport or identity document and proof of your address in Portugal. The exact requirements may vary depending on your nationality and situation. Check the gov.pt service page for the full list of required documents before your appointment.
Official Sources
- gov.pt — Pedir os números de identificação fiscal, segurança social e nacional de utente saúde para estrangeiros — Official combined service page
- Portal das Finanças — Portuguese tax authority portal (for individual NIF applications)
- Segurança Social — Social security portal (for individual NISS applications)
- SNS — Serviço Nacional de Saúde — National health service portal (for individual SNS registration)
This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Government procedures and eligibility criteria can change. Always confirm current requirements with the responsible Portuguese authority before booking an appointment. Reviewed against official sources: 23 September 2026.