The Social Security Identification Number (NISS), commonly known as Social Security Number, is a number that identifies a person within the Portuguese Social Security system, allowing them to access their rights and fulfill duties with this entity. The NISS might be required in certain situations while living in Portugal, and our guide is here to help you understand when that is the case and what you should do to obtain one!

What is Social Security?

The Portuguese Social Security is an entity that aims to guarantee basic rights, equal opportunities and well-being to Portuguese citizens and foreigners working or living in Portugal. This system works by having dependent workers, self-employed and legal persons deduct a portion of their income every month. This money is used to set up a community fund to be used in situations of retirement, unemployment, health problems and others

What is the Social Security Number?

The Social Security Identification Number, or NISS, is a unique and exact identifier that recognizes a person within the Portuguese Social Security system. With this number, it is possible to register, track and view the worker’s contributions during their entire career, with information on the amounts and periods. Apart from this, the Social Security number is used to access benefits and subsidies provided in certain situations, and it also allows young people to apply for internships and start their career in Portugal.

In Portugal there is a Social Security online portal that allows users to check their contributions, apply for benefits and carry out other procedures related to work, family, illness and retirement.

How to Obtain a Social Security Number?

A Social Security Number can be requested by Portuguese citizens, foreign citizens and legal representatives. If you were hired to work for someone else, the employer can also make the request for the Social Security number for you. Children and young people can also obtain a NISS.
Portuguese Citizens automatically get a Social Security number once they obtain a Citizen Card, but for others an application has to be made.

This application requires certain documents, such as a valid identification document like a passport, a Tax Number (NIF), the full names of both parents, and the marital status. The Social Security Number, once issued, can be collected by the person to whom it was assigned, by presenting a valid identification document (identity card, passport, residence permit, or other civil identification documents) or it can be handed to a Lawyer who presents a professional card and an original power of attorney.

Whenever there are changes in personal data (such as a change of name, address or marital status), it is important to update this information with Social Security to ensure that the records are correct.

Do companies need a Social Security Number?

Whenever a company is created, they must get a Social Security Number assigned to them. In urgent situations, a temporary NISS can be assigned, which is later confirmed or converted into a permanent one, once all the necessary documentation has been submitted.

How much do I have to contribute to Social Security?

The contribution to Social Security is set at 11% of the salary, when working for someone else, and this value is automatically discounted by the employer. For other cases, like self-employed people, they have to pay their own contributions, and the value is dependent on their income for that period.

What are the benefits of Social Security?

Some of the benefits paid by Social Security include:

⦁ Unemployment: people with a NISS have the right to receive a monthly value in money in case of involuntarily loss of their job.

⦁ Pregnancy: Social Security allows pregnant women to miss work to attend medical appointments, as well as receive financial help in various situations.

⦁ Parental leave: Social Security pays a value to parents when their baby is born, so that they can miss work during this period. There are also subsidies for adoption and reconciling work and family life.

⦁ Education and Family: there are allowances given to families monthly to help with education expenses, which might include a scholarship, as well as for those in need of taking their children to a nanny, nursery, kindergarten or activities / vacation centers.

⦁ Retirement: when people reach the retirement age, they start receiving a pension that makes sure they maintain an income even when at an older age. There are also complements for elders with low income, and/or in need of help paying for domiciliary support and nursing homes.

⦁ Medical leave: whenever a worker needs to interrupt their activity due to some sort of illness, Social Security pays a value during their healing period.

⦁ Disability, Illness and Death: financial help can be attributed to people with children who are ill, disabled, suffering from chronical illness or in case of accident, as well as to widows, relatives of a Social Security contributor who passed away, and people who need help to pay for funeral expenses.

In conclusion, the Portuguese Social Security Number (NISS) is a crucial element for anyone living or working in Portugal. It serves as a key to access the social protection system, ensuring you receive benefits like healthcare, pensions, and unemployment support. Being informed on how to obtain and use your NISS, as well as the processes and responsibilities associated with it, will allow you to fully benefit from the services available, ensuring both your rights and obligations are met in the system.