Fiscal Representative and Fiscal Number
When foreigners first move to Portugal one of the early steps to adapting to local bureaucratic prerequisites is acquiring a Portuguese Fiscal number. This tax identification card is essential for performing almost any legal act in Portugal: buying property, a car or mobile phone, taking on utilities for your house, signing just about any legal document or official paperwork.
Before you can purchase property in Portugal you will have to obtain a Fiscal Number and you should be aware that the vendor of the property you intend to buy may request this number from you very soon after you have agreed to the purchase. The easiest way to obtain the Fiscal Number is through your Fiscal Representative who will be familiar with the process and the language. Alternatively you can apply for the Fiscal Number through your lawyer. You will be issued with a Tax Identification card and the number will be your personal identification used for payment of anything associated with the property, opening a bank account etc.
The Portuguese Government has recently enacted a law in a bid to reduce tax evasion and money laundering. As a consequence, all non-resident individuals or companies that own a property in Portugal must appoint a Fiscal Representative that is resident in Portugal who will be responsible for, submitting any tax declarations and making any tax payments relating to the ownership of the property. We have identified Sovereign as a professional company that can be appointed as your Fiscal Representative and they are also able to offer international tax advice. They have offices in London and the Algarve and you will find the application forms at the back of this guide to appoint them as your Fiscal Representative.
