How to Transfer Your European Pension to Portugal

INLIS Consulting
3 hours ago
3 min read

Learn how to transfer your European pension to Portugal. Step-by-step guide on registering with Portuguese Social Security, getting your NISS, and requesting residence confirmation.

Are you an EU or EEA citizen who has recently moved to Portugal and wants to transfer your state pension from your previous country of residence?

Whether you're from Germany, the Netherlands, France, Liechtenstein, or any other European country, this article walks you through the key steps to ensure your pension transfer goes smoothly, especially when dealing with Portuguese Social Security (Segurança Social).

Why You Need a Portuguese Social Security Confirmation

To transfer your pension from another European country to Portugal, your former country’s pension authority typically requires proof that you are now permanently residing in Portugal.

This is often in the form of a certificate or declaration issued by the Instituto da Segurança Social (ISS) in Portugal.

However, Portugal’s Social Security will only issue this confirmation if you are registered in the system, which means you must have a Social Security Number (NISS) and a confirmed Portuguese address.

Step-by-Step: Transferring Your Pension to Portugal

Step 1: Obtain a Portuguese Tax Number (NIF)

Before doing anything else in Portugal, you must have a NIF (Número de Identificação Fiscal). This is your tax ID, which is required for almost all administrative tasks, including getting a Social Security number.

Step 2: Register for a Social Security Number (NISS)

To interact with Segurança Social and request the official residence confirmation, you must apply for a NISS (Número de Identificação da Segurança Social).

You can apply in one of the following ways:

Online: Apply to the Segurança Social website
In person: At a Centro de Atendimento da Segurança Social or a Loja do Cidadão (Citizen’s Shop)

Required documents:

Valid passport or EU national ID
NIF certificate
Rental contract or proof of Portuguese address
Proof of activity (if self-employed or working)

Step 3: Update Your Address with Segurança Social

Once your NISS is granted, make sure your Portuguese address is updated in the Segurança Social system. This step is critical because the residency confirmation will be based on your declared address.

You can update your address through:

The Segurança Social Direta portal (online)
In-person visit to your local Segurança Social office

Step 4: Request the Residence Confirmation

With your NISS issued and your address updated, you can now request a “Certidão de Residência Permanente” (Permanent Residence Certificate) or a written declaration confirming your residence in Portugal.

You can request this:

In person at a local Segurança Social office
Through the Segurança Social Direta portal (in some cases)
By written request, if instructed by the institution

Make sure to mention the purpose of the certificate—to submit to the pension authority in your former country for a pension transfer.

EU Pension Coordination: How It Works

Under EU Regulation 883/2004, citizens of EU/EEA countries and Switzerland can combine pension contributions from multiple countries. If you’ve worked in two or more countries, each country where you were insured for at least one year is responsible for paying a portion of your pension.

You usually claim your pension through the country where you are currently residing, which will coordinate with the other countries to calculate and distribute your pension.

If you are already receiving a pension and simply changing residence to Portugal, your pension will still be paid, but the institution may request confirmation that you now live in Portugal to adjust taxation or benefits.

Documents You May Be Asked to Provide

NISS confirmation
Proof of address in Portugal (e.g., rental contract or utility bill)
Residence certificate or declaration from Segurança Social
Deregistration proof from your previous country (if required)
Activity registration (if self-employed)

Where to Get Help

If you're unsure how to proceed, you can contact:

Instituto da Segurança Social (ISS): Website: www.seg-social.pt
Helpline: +351 300 502 502 or +351 210 545 400
Email: ISS-Internacionais@seg-social.pt

Loja do Cidadão: Many locations offer multi-service desks where you can handle both Social Security and tax matters in one place.

Sources

Final Tip

If you’ve already moved to Portugal and intend to receive your pension here, registering with Portuguese Social Security and obtaining the NISS is the most important first step.

Without it, you cannot get the official confirmation your former country needs to release or transfer your pension. Don’t delay this process; start as soon as possible to avoid interruptions in pension payments.