Last verified: October 2026. Bank-specific requirements change — always confirm current documents needed directly with your chosen bank before applying.
Once your D7 paperwork is underway, opening a Portuguese bank account is usually the next practical step — and one you can often start before you've even moved. Here's exactly how it works.
Step 1: Get your NIF first — nothing else works without it
Your NIF (Número de Identificação Fiscal) is Portugal's tax identification number, and it's required before a bank will even consider your application. If you're a non-EU national (which includes UK citizens post-Brexit), you'll need to appoint a fiscal representative in Portugal to obtain one. This can be done entirely remotely via power of attorney — you don't need to be in the country.
Step 2: Decide between online and in-person applications
This is the part that varies most by bank and by your specific situation:
- Some banks allow fully remote applicationsfor non-residents, particularly if you can complete identity verification via video call.
- Others require an in-person visit to a branch, especially for non-EU nationals or if your documents come from outside the EU.
- A workaround some people use if they want everything sorted before arriving: paid remote account-opening services exist that handle the process on your behalf using power of attorney, though this comes at a cost (expect several hundred euros) and isn't necessary if you're comfortable handling it yourself once you have a NIF.
Step 3: Gather your documents
Requirements vary slightly bank to bank, but the core list is consistent:
- Valid passport (with at least 6 months' validity remaining)
- Your NIF number
- Proof of address — a recent utility bill, tenancy agreement, or bank statement, generally dated within the last three months. This can usually be your UK address if you haven't relocated yet.
- Proof of income — an employment letter, payslips, pension statements, or recent bank statements, depending on your income source
- Tax number from your home country (your UK National Insurance number or UTR)
- Some banks also ask for a recent tax return or a letter confirming your income situation
If any documents are issued outside the EU, they may need to be translated into Portuguese and, in some cases, legalised — worth checking with your chosen bank before you submit anything, since this adds time if you're not prepared for it.
