IRS filing season is open. File your IRS for free (early access) →
descodify

Free tool

Check any Portuguese NIF or EU VAT number

Verify any Portuguese NIF, NIPC, or EU VAT number. For VAT-registered companies, the check returns the registered name and address from official EU and Portuguese registries. For individuals and Art. 53-exempt freelancers, you get the right next step to confirm who you're doing business with.

Enter a Portuguese NIF or NIPC (9 digits) or any EU VAT number with its country prefix (e.g. DE123456789).

For a personal NIF, we confirm whether the name matches without ever revealing the registered name. The comparison happens on our server.

How it works

  • This tool checks numbers against official EU and Portuguese business registries, including the EU's VIES (VAT Information Exchange System).
  • For Portuguese numbers, enter the 9-digit NIF or NIPC. The PT prefix is added automatically.
  • For other EU countries, include the 2-letter country code (e.g. DE for Germany, FR for France, ES for Spain).
  • Portugal is one of the EU countries that reveals the name and address behind the number. Some countries only confirm valid/invalid.
  • When issuing invoices to VAT-registered EU customers, check their number here first - then use the VAT guide to confirm the right exemption code.

What if the result says “not found”?

VIES only covers VAT-registered businesses. A trabalhador independente earning below €15,000/year is VAT-exempt under Article 53 and won't appear here, even if they're fully registered with the Portuguese tax authority (AT). There is no public database where you can directly verify an individual freelancer's registration status.

Two ways to confirm someone is registered:

  • Ask for a recibo verde or fatura issued through the Portal das Finanças. Issuing one requires an open, active activity registration. Any registered freelancer can generate one free of charge.
  • Ask for a comprovativo de início de atividade (proof of activity registration). They can download it themselves at Portal das Finanças under Todos os Serviços → Atividade → Consultar declarações – início, alteração e cessação, open the declaration, and save or print it. It takes about 30 seconds.

Refusing to provide either is a genuine red flag. A registered freelancer has both available instantly.

For the full picture on what the check tells you and what to do in each scenario, read Before you hire anyone in Portugal, check their NIF.

Verificar NIF em Portugal: Esta ferramenta consulta o VIES em tempo real e devolve o nome e morada registados. Utilize para validar NIF e NIPC antes de emitir uma fatura.

For more context on hiring in Portugal and what the NIF check actually tells you (and doesn't), read Before you hire anyone in Portugal, check their NIF.

Get the NIF and invoicing checklist for Portugal

A practical reference covering what to check before issuing an invoice to a new client - NIF validation, VAT status, and what their exemption means for you.

Ready to start invoicing? Descodify verifies VAT numbers automatically when you create an invoice.

Get started free