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Hi Diane,

The NISS became a mandatory and critical requirement for residence permit renewals following the launch of the new AIMA Renewal Portal in July 2025.

Portal das Renovações / AIMA Renewal Portal:

Here are the details regarding the current situation and how it affects you as a British retiree:

1. Since when has it been mandatory?

While the NISS has always been required for those professionally active, it became a mandatory and "blocking" field in AIMA's digital portal for renewals of permits expiring after June 30, 2025.

Until June 2025: There was still some flexibility or manual processing for older cases.

From July 2025 onwards: With the full transition to AIMA's new digital system, the online form requires a NISS to proceed. Without this number registered in AIMA's system, many users are unable to submit their renewal application.

2. Is it mandatory even for British retirees?

Yes, in the current system's practice, it has become mandatory for everyone, regardless of their status as a retiree (e.g., D7 visa holders).

AIMA's logic is that the NISS is not just for those working or contributing; it is the identifier needed to verify Social Security standing (or the absence of debt). Even if you have never worked in Portugal and do not intend to, the Social Security office needs to issue a "Declaration of Non-Existence of Debt," and for that, the system requires a NISS to be assigned to you.

Important Note: There is a known bureaucratic hurdle. While AIMA requires the NISS to renew, some Social Security offices may hesitate to issue it to retirees because there is no employment contract. However, for residency purposes, you must insist that the NISS is required to comply with AIMA's legal requirements.

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Social Security Clarifications (August 2025): Due to the blocking of many applications from retirees and digital nomads (who technically would not have to make social security contributions in Portugal), the Social Security department issued a clarification in August 2025. This confirmed that it would begin assigning NISS numbers specifically to allow these citizens to comply with the AIMA portal requirements.

3. What should you do?

If you do not have a NISS :

Obtain a NISS: You can request it online ("NISS na Hora") or in person at a Social Security office (Segurança Social) or a Citizen's Shop (Loja de Cidadão). As a retiree, use your proof of pension and your current residence permit (or proof of your appointment).

Register the NISS with AIMA: Once you have the number, ensure it is linked to your file. This can be done via the Contact Form on the official AIMA website, selecting the subject "Portal das Renovações" and the sub-type "Retificar ou inserir NISS" (Rectify or insert NISS).

Hi Johnny,

Thank you VERY much for your prompt, comprehensive and helpful reply.

Since the social security office has refused to help us the twice we have visited them in person, we will try the online portal to acquire a NISS and then try to progress regarding the tax situation once we have a NISS.

It's a starting point 🙂.

Thanks again, best regards,

Diane x

@JohnnyPT

Hi Johnny,

whilst I respect and value your comments and contributions, I must add they do always, as in most things Portuguese, work out in practice.

Example, the Portuguese government passed a law extending  the legality of the residents card. I went to register for a NISS and was told that my card was out of date. There are many examples of this disconnect between government departments. These are just examples that I have experienced. There are numerous retirees, immigrants etc who in all probability have experienced the same.

in actual fact I am still waiting for a card that was sent to me in December.

i will let people make their own judgements as to the validity of my arguments.

There are many examples of this disconnect between government departments. These are just examples that I have experienced. - @Ken Z92

Hi Ken,

That's true. I understand your comment. I hope things will improve in terms of interconnections  between the various state departments. For the first time, the government is doing something to fix this. Let's see. Fingers crossed....

The inability to obtain a NISS is absurd, to say the least. When NISS is now mandatory to everyone. Every back yard has someone in charge, and not all back yards face the same direction. There is political friction behind this. It is difficult to send away these people who are in charge of their own backyards...

There are many examples of this disconnect between government departments. These are just examples that I have experienced.  - @Ken Z92
Hi Ken,
That's true. I understand your comment. I hope things will improve in terms of interconnections between the various state departments. For the first time, the government is doing something to fix this. Let's see. Fingers crossed....

The inability to obtain a NISS is absurd, to say the least. When NISS is now mandatory to everyone. Every back yard has someone in charge, and not all back yards face the same direction. There is political friction behind this. It is difficult to send away these people who are in charge of their own backyards... - @JohnnyPT

Austria is the same; no one seems to read the memos given to them, and even if you show them the government website, they still won't believe you. You have to go to the top and for them to get the regional department/office to do as they are told. You could understand when Brexit had just happebned and it was new, but now after 5 years.

@SimCityAT I believe that this issue also has to do with many employees only doing their job for the salary. As little thinking and working as possible. And when it involves foreigners it is very bad. This isn't limited to Austria and Portugal.