Institutions

This is the institution responsible for social benefits such as sick leave, parental leave or pensions (for old age or disability), calculated on the basis of your pay records. You must be registered with Social Security to have an employment contract in Portugal.

The request for a Social Security Identification Number (NISS) - equivalent to the INSS in Brazil - is handled by Alter Solutions after the contract has been signed. This is then forwarded to you by post.

We advise you to request a password for access to Segurança Social Direta which allows you to check your pay records or request for social benefits.

Should you ever have the opportunity to start a project in partnership with Alter Solutions Benelux, you will have seconded worker status. The secondment of workers is a legal way of temporarily allocating workers to a project which the employer has in another EU country.

To this end, a document known as A1 is issued by Social Security, certifying permission to work in that country for the period specified in the document, renewable for up to 2 years. For as long as you remain in that project in a foreign country, your relationship with Alter Solutions will continue, together with your rights and duties.

This is the institution responsible for supervising and collecting taxes from citizens and companies. You must have a tax identification number (NIF) before you can have a work contract in Portugal.

Each month Personal Income Tax (IRS) is withheld, based on your salary and tax situation (marital status and number of dependents). This amount is then settled in April of the following year - when all citizens must submit their tax return via Portal das Finanças. To do this it is important to ask for a password to access the platform. The password will be sent to Alter's head office, so please confirm the date of the request with us so that we can be on the look-out for the letter. You can also check the tax percentage applicable to your tax status in this portal.

Alter Solutions requests your tax number on your behalf, which means that you are a NON RESIDENT. You should change this status as soon as you have proof of your Portuguese address, as it could have tax implications. This change can be requested via e-balcão.

If you have family travelling with you, you may need to request a tax number (NIF) for each of them.

Calendar of Tax Obligations

This is the institution responsible for the process of regularizing the situation of foreign citizens in Portugal.

Your process of obtaining a Residence Permit in Portugal begins with an interview – you can check the date and time of the interview on the link printed on your visa or through the AIMA website. You must ensure that you have all the necessary documentation ready on the day of the appointment.

If you have family coming to Portugal, you should start the family reunification process.

For appointments relating to the granting of residence permits (with AIMA) by calling 808 257 257; (+351) 218 106 191 or here.

Renewals of Residence Permits (RAR) are no longer automatic (at this time) and require online scheduling via the IRN (Institute of Registries and Notaries) website, here.

This is the structure through which the Portuguese State guarantees the right to health to all citizens resident in Portugal at no cost.

When you have proof of your residence permit application, you should apply for your user number, which gives you access to a family doctor for both you and your family, at the Health Centre in your area of residence.

You can even go to any National Health Service hospital in Portugal before you have a user number and you'll still be assisted.

The education system in Portugal is divided as follows:

• Nursery School (for children up to 3 years old);
• Pre-school / Kindergarten (for children between 3 and 5 years old);
• Basic education (between the ages of 6 and 14): composed of three sequential cycles - the first (primary) of four years, the second of two years and the third of three;
• Secondary education (between the ages of 15 and 17): consists of a three-year cycle;
• Higher education: includes university and polytechnic education.

Primary and secondary education is mandatory in Portugal until the age of 18. In these cases, including pre-school education, children are enrolled on the Enrolment Portal (Portal das Matrículas).

There is no public network of nurseries in Portugal. In addition to private institutions, there are a number of IPSS (Private Social Solidarity Institutions) that are publicly funded and whose monthly fees are calculated based on household income.

For entry into kindergarten, the date on which the child turns three is important:

• If the child turns 3 by 15 September (the start of the school year), enrolment is automatically accepted;
• If the child turns 3 between 16 September and 31 December, enrolment depends on the number of places available once the priority groups have been allocated;
• If the child only turns three between 1 January of the following year and the end of the school year, enrolment can be completed over the course of the year. However, it will only be accepted if there is a vacancy and the child can only start attending the school once they reach the age of 3, the minimum age for attending pre-school.

Access the Directorate-General for Higher Education's ranking table here.