Hello, my fellow Juans, and to friends planning to move to Portugal! Juan will be sharing his experiences in the beautiful country of Portugal. I hope this article will be helpful in case you are planning to move or have already moved here, providing tips to minimize stress and expedite the settling process based on Juan’s experience.
In this article Juan will cover the necessary documents needed for your move to Portugal, from Visa application to Resident Permit to Citizenship. I will try to document the experiences I had the past months, or year, from the perspective of a Filipino moving from Singapore to Portugal.
NUMERO DE UTENTE
N° de Identificacao do Utente is the Health Card Number. This is your gateway to access to the public health system in Portugal.
How do you apply?
Firstly, you need to have a Resident card before applying. Without it, you won’t be able to access the program. Secondly, you need to have your NIF number with the home address you currently live in and your Passport. It is crucial that the address on your Resident Card and NIF match. Finally, you have to find the local health center in your locality, Centro de Saude, not the closest health center but the designated center based on where you live. We have friends who told us that they went to three different health centers in Porto only to find out that there’s a designated place depending on which street or area you stay.
Here is Juan’s experience…
The first thing I did was to look for the closest health center in our area using Google Maps. A few health centers popped up, and I checked the names and addresses. In my case, of course, I chose to go to Bonfim Health Center since we live in Bonfim. It is about 15 minutes from home and on a familiar street, so I immediately planned to go there the following day.
I left our apartment in the morning and reached the place at exactly 9:43 am. Upon entering the building, I approached the lobby security and informed him about my intention. He greeted me politely and directed me to a kiosk to get a queue number. He also showed me the way to the waiting area on the second level, instructing me to keep an eye on the screen. He pointed out the counter where I should go once my number is called, at level one.
The waiting area was quite crowded, but there were plenty of vacant seats. I sat down, looked at the screen, and then my ticket. ‘Oh my, they are currently serving F001, and my number is F014!’ I was a bit hesitant to stay, but I decided to give it a try, waited, and observed how the process worked.
There were two counters serving ticket holders from A to F so meaning on top those people holding tickets with the letter F, I’m also competing to ticket holders from A to E in which I don’t have any idea of how many. At screen, there is another section for ticket holders that starts with the letter Z. I almost killed myself because I thought it also for the two counters. I only found out that that is queue is for the patients waiting to be called by their doctors.
An hour had passed, and by 10:47 am, they called F009 at the screen for Counter 1. Feeling a bit bored, I decided to record the frequency with which they called ticket holders with F. I know right, sometimes I’m a bit too much.
- 9:47 am – F001
- 10:02 am – F002
- 10:03 am – F003
- 10:04 am – F004
- 10:36 am – F005
- 10:40 am – F006
- 10:41 am – F007
- 10:46 am – F008
- 10:47 am – F009
- 11:15 am – F010
- 11:15 am – F011
- 11:15 am – F012
- 11:40am – F013
- 11:40am – F014
So, my time had come at 11:40, almost two hours. Went downstairs to Counter 1, where very nice lady greeted me and asked if I only spoke English because she only spoke a little. I replied, telling her that it is not problem since I also speak very little Portuguese. It was actually fast; Resident Card, Passport and NIF document from Finacas- it took us 20 minutes to complete. It could have been faster if we were not distracted by helping an old lady who had fallen from the staircase. I knew the first time I saw the place that it is not very safe, with sick people, children, old folks climbing up and down the stairs. Well, fair enough, there’s a lift!
She gave me a piece of paper with my Numero de Utente and name of the assigned family doctor. She asked if I was okay with her arranging an appointment to meet the doctor as soon as possible, and of course, I said yes. To my surprise, she was able to set it for the following day at 10:20 am at the same health center. She instructed me to use the Numero de Utente at the kiosk whenever I visit the health center. I’m not sure if I was just lucky to get an appointment for the next day, but overall, it was a fairly fast and productive day for me. To be honest, I never expected that at all.
*I applied on the first week of January 2024.
(UPDATE as of April 18, 2024)
You can already submit your application online. Here’s the list of documents needed.
1. Identification Document (US Citizens), Passport (Other Countries);
2. Residence permit / European Union citizen registration certificate;
3. *Certificate of Expression of Interest or Proof of appointment at AIMA or a receipt proving that an application has been made;
4. Proof of address;
5. NIF – Tax Identification Number;
6. NISS – Social Security Number (if available);
7. Contact number;
8. Email address.
All documents should be sent to the following e-mail address: iutentes.pt-oriental@arsnorte.min-saude.pt
In my case, since I knew the e-mail at Bonfim health centre, I can send it to usf.bnsintra@arsnorte.min-saude.pt
Once the documents have been received, if necessary, a meeting will be scheduled.
FAMILY DOCTOR
From the previous section, a family doctor is assigned to you once you apply for the Numero de Utente. He/she will be the personal doctor you can call or talk to whenever you go to the health center when you are sick.
Here is Juan’s experience when he met the doctor…
So, on the following day scheduled by the health clerk, I arrived at the same center and reached the door exactly 10:13 am. I greeted the same lobby security and informed him that I have an appointment with my family doctor. Onge again, he helped me get the queue number from the kiosk by entering my Numero de Utente. I proceeded to the second level and took a seat.
It wasn’t as crowded as the last time, probably because it was Friday, people are getting ready at home to drink in the evening. Anyway, I checked the screen to see which number was being served. Numbers are called randomly, not in sequence, depending on the availability the respective doctors. I noticed the doors with signs pointing to at least 9 stations or rooms on the same level where patients could go when called to see the doctor. My number, Z26, and at appeared on the screen five minutes before 11:00 am, directing me to G9 or Room 9.
I knocked on the door and opened it; there are two women inside a 7-meter square room sitting in front of a desk, smiling at me. Bom Dia, I am Doctora Gisela Santos, and my assistant, Joana. How can we help you? She spoke perfect English; I was so relieved. We had some laughs while chatting, and asked me a few things about my health conditions, etc. The assistant took my blood pressure and my weight, and she just asked me of my height, which is 173cm. She filled out a form and advised me to go to a testing clinic to check my blood. She gave me an email address and told me to send the result within the next six months. Also, she mentioned that she will be the doctor of my spouse when he applies for the health number.
SOCIAL SECURITY
Atribuicao de NISS, or Social Security Identification Number (NISS) enables residents to have access to the social security benefits in Portugal. The primary goal of the social security is to provide financial support to individuals during challenging times. As a new resident of Porto, Juan is still learning and understanding more about the benefits while contributing to the system.
How do you apply?
Getting an NISS can be done online; you just need to browse at eportugal.gov.pt. From the homepage, click on “Services” and select “Foreigners in Portugal.” Look for ‘Apply for a Social Security Identification Number (NISS)‘ or ‘How to request NIF and NISS for foreign citizens in Portugal’ or simply click here.
Select ‘Request NISS’ and fill out the form. Under ‘Tipo de Documento de Identificacao’ or ‘Type of Civil Document,’ you can choose either your Resident Permit or Passport. In my case, I selected ‘Resident Permit’ and filled in the card number and its expiration date. The ‘Numero de identificacao fiscal’ or the NIF number is not required, so you can just skip it, as I did. I attached the identification card, completed the rest of the form, scrolled down, then pressed ‘ENVIAR’ or ‘SEND.’ I did not receive any email confirmation for my application, so I was a bit hesitant about whether it really worked.
Here is Juan’s experience with NISS…
After three days, on a Sunday morning, I received an email from Seguranca Social informing me that my Social Security Identification Number has already been allocated and must be collected at a Social Security Customer Information Service. To avoid queues, I was advised to call the appointment line during business hours from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm to avoid queues. The collection must be done by the resident who applied for it, presenting their identification card.
I have tried calling the two numbers listed in the email, but unfortunately, after several attempts and a long waiting time on the line before they answer my call, both individuals who answered could not speak English. I tried to inquire if there is anybody in the office who could possibly assist me, but on both occasions, they abruptly ended the call. I even tried to call both numbers on a different day, thinking that I just wasn’t lucky to encounter someone who couldn’t speak English the last time I called. Unfortunately, I really need help from a Portuguese friend to call these fellas.
So, on another day, I went to see a Portuguese friend to help me communicate with these people. I showed him the email they had sent me and then I prepared some information on a sheet of paper about the possible questions they might ask him. After a few calls and waiting on my phone on a loudspeaker mode, I excitedly gave my phone to my friend and let him talk to them. They asked for my name, phone number, NIF number and address, and they scheduled an appointment for me in four days to go to the closest Loja de Cidadão in Porto, which not too far from Estádio do Dragão. They have sent me an SMS confirmation of the date, time and a code on that day and also a day before the appointment.
It was a rainy day, and I was a bit hesitant to leave the house on a Saturday afternoon since my appointment was at 1:20 pm. I thought that offices would be closed around that time and day. I checked Google Maps, and it said that the place is open. I didn’t waste my time and made sure to arrive earlier because of the previous bad experiences with timing in Portugal. I was at the front of the building at 1:13pm. There was a kiosk on the side of the sliding door, as mentioned by my friend. I selected the ISS, entered the appointed code that was sent to me, and took the escalator up to the next floor.
The office was a bit confusing because there were a lot of counters with the same numbers, 1, 2 and 3. I just focused on my queue number and then asked the security personnel when I was called to check which counter should I go because there were really a lot. Waiting at counter 3 was a beautiful lady. I upfront told her that I don’t speak Portuguese, and she said that it isn’t a problem. I was relieved. She just asked for my Passport, then she gave me a document to sign with my name and the date and she said that that’s it. To my surprise, I told her that it was very efficient and asked her a few things about the contribution and she answered politely. I was flabbergasted when I checked my watch; it was 3 minutes before my appointed time.
*I received my NISS on the second week of January 2024.
PORTO CARD.
Since we are residing in Porto, Portugal, we have the privilege of getting a Porto Card. It is like a coupon you can use for free access and discounts on some services, attractions and shows around Porto. I have listed the advantages of having a Porto Card that can also be viewed on the official website at https;//cartao.porto.pt as of January 8,2024.
- Teatro Municipal do Porto. 50% discount on the programming of the Municipal Theatre of Porto: Rivoli and Campo Alegre.
- Porto Museum. Free admission to all spaces of the Museum of Porto.
- Municipal Swimming Pools. 50% discount on the use of the swimming pools and the practice of water sports, combat sports, group classes and gym (autonomous registration for this service is required).
- Porto Card. 13-18. The Porto Card, it is also an Andante Card for young people between 13 and 18 years old (adherence to the service is required, online or in person at the Municipality’s Office).
- Oporto Coliseum. 20% discount on your own program and guided tours of the Colosseum.
- Municipal Libraries. Access to home loan service and internet space.
- Warning via SMS. Information sent by SMS about parking constraints on your street, changes in the recycling bins, suspension of water, electricity and gas supply and civil protection information.
- Cultural events promoted by the Chamber. 50% discount on admission to the cultural activities. Between 10% to 20% on cultural products and publications.
- Water Pavilion. 50% discount on admission to the Water Pavilion.
- Bicycle parking. 50%discount on bicycle parking in the City Park. (temporarily unavailable)
- Funicular dos Guindais. Free use of the Guindais Funicular. (closed for maintenace)
- Environmental education. Priority access to registration credits for activities workshops and workshops of environmental education services.
- Sap Troupe. 50% discount on all shows.
- University of Porto. 30% discount on the sessions of the Porto Planetarium or on the visit to the Biodiversity Gallery- Museum of Natural History and Science.
- Dr. Antonio Cupertino de Miranda Foundation. 50% discount at the Paper Money Museum.
- Porto 360. 32% discount on Porto 360 Visits at Super Bock Arena- Pavilhao Rosa Mota.
- Futebol Clube do Porto. 10% discount on the price of the FCPorto- Museum + Stadium tour.
- Teatro Nacional de S.Joao. 30% discount on tickets for shows at the Teatro Nacional de S.Joao (audience and tribune seats), Teatro Carlos Alberto and Mosteiro de Sao Bento da Vitoria.
- Tram Museum. 50% discount on tickets.
- Soares dos Reis National Museum. 20% discount on admission.
- Portuguese Tennis Federation. Application of federated prices in the modalities of tennis and squash, at the Aventine Hill Tennis Complex.
- RUNTOPORTO.COM. 10% discount on the registration fee for the races promoted by RUNPORTO.
- Porto Minigolf Club. Discounts of 50% on adult admission in the morning and 25% on adult in the afternoon.
- Experience Trindade-Porto. 20% discount on the purchase of tickets for each of the circuits that make up the “Experience Trindade-Porto”.
- Sweepstakes & Prizes. If you have a Porto Card. you can now participate in the raffles for exclusive goods and benefits. Participation is free!
- Taxi Health +65. If you are 65 years old or older, your Porto Card. allows you to travel to healthcare facilities and Covid-19 vaccination centers, located in Porto, for only 2 Euros per trip, with a miximum limit of 18 trips.
*This article will be updated to give more details of the following:
- VFS application
- NIF
- Insurance
- Resident permit
- Social security number
- Porto card.
- License and more
- Bank application
- Portuguese school
Thanks Juan for the detailed information posted. This will help me tremendously with our move here in Porto, Portugal!
Manuel
You are welcome Manuel.
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