How to Open a Bank Account in Portugal for Immigrants

Opening a bank account in Portugal can be difficult for immigrants who have not yet received their residence cards, but a residence permit is not the only identity document recognised in the country’s official banking guidance. Banco de Portugal lists a valid passport among the accepted identification documents, while also requiring information about a customer’s tax number, address and other personal details. The documents needed for approval depend on the applicant’s circumstances and the bank’s verification process.

For immigrants who need to receive their salary, pay rent or manage everyday expenses, understanding these requirements can help avoid unnecessary delays. Here is what you need to know about opening a Portuguese bank account, including the documents to prepare and the alternatives available if your application is rejected.

What documents do you need to open a bank account?

According to Banco de Portugal’s official guidance, banks must collect and verify specific information before opening a current account. Applicants should prepare the following documents and details.

• Valid passport: A passport can be used to establish identity under the regulator’s guidance, provided it meets the applicable requirements.
• Portuguese tax number (NIF): The Número de Identificação Fiscal is used for tax purposes and is commonly needed when opening a bank account.
• Proof of address: You may need to provide evidence of your permanent residential address and your tax address if it is different.
• Personal information: Banks collect details such as your full name, date of birth, nationality, place of birth and signature.
• Employment details: You should be prepared to provide your occupation and employer’s details, where applicable.
• Additional documents: Depending on your circumstances, the bank may request further information to complete its checks.

The exact documents accepted as proof of address and other personal details can vary. Contact the bank before visiting a branch so you can confirm what it accepts in your particular situation.

Can you open a bank account without a residence permit?

Yes, you can ask a bank to assess your application using a valid passport and other supporting documents, even if you do not yet have a residence card. Banco de Portugal’s published requirements list a passport, identity card, residence permit or equivalent public document containing the holder’s photograph and signature as possible identity documents.

However, there is an important difference between an accepted identity document and approval for an account. A passport can establish identity, but the bank must also verify the other required information and comply with financial crime prevention rules.

If you do not have a residence permit, ask the bank directly whether it can process your application using your current documents. Do not assume that every bank will apply the same procedure or accept the same supporting evidence.

Will a work contract and payslips help?

A work contract and recent payslips can support your application by showing your employment and source of income. They may be useful when a bank requests information about your occupation or financial circumstances.

However, a work contract and payslips do not automatically replace the identification documents or other information required by the bank. If you have these documents, take them with your passport, NIF and proof of address, but confirm beforehand whether the bank needs anything else.

There is also an important protection for people who are unemployed. Banco de Portugal states that having no job or being unemployed should not, by itself, be a reason to refuse an account, although the customer must still meet the applicable identification requirements.

Do you need a NIF to open a bank account?

The NIF is one of the most important documents to arrange when settling in Portugal. It is used for tax purposes and is commonly needed for everyday activities, including opening a bank account.

According to the Portuguese Government’s official NIF service, foreign nationals, including people who are not tax residents in Portugal, can apply for a NIF. The documents required depend on the applicant’s nationality and tax-residence status.

For example, the government’s guidance distinguishes between EU nationals and people from outside the EU. For non-EU nationals seeking resident tax status, the listed documents include an identity document or passport and a valid residence permit; different requirements apply to non-residents.

This means getting a NIF and opening a bank account are separate processes. Having a NIF does not, on its own, guarantee that a bank will approve your account.

What about the old Manifestação de Interesse?

Many immigrants previously used the Manifestação de Interesse procedure when seeking residence authorisation in Portugal through employment or self-employment.

However, Portugal revoked the general route with effect from 4 June 2024, under Decree-Law No. 37-A/2024 of 3 June 2024. Transitional provisions applied to certain procedures initiated before the change, so people with older cases should check their individual circumstances.

A document connected with a pending immigration case should not automatically be treated as equivalent to a residence card. If you have an older application, bring the official documents you hold and ask the bank whether they can be used for its checks.

For immigration-related questions, consult AIMA’s official website rather than relying on outdated advice circulating online.

What if a Portuguese bank refuses your application?

A refusal from one bank does not necessarily mean that every other provider will reach the same decision. Before making another application, ask what is missing and whether the problem concerns identity, proof of address, your NIF or another requirement.

These steps may help:

1. Ask for the exact reason for the refusal. This helps you understand which document or verification step needs attention.
2. Check the bank’s document requirements. Ask whether it can assess a passport alongside your other available documents.
3. Prepare your supporting paperwork. Bring your NIF, proof of address and any employment or official immigration documents relevant to your situation.
4. Compare other banks. Different institutions may have different procedures, but all must comply with applicable legal requirements.
5. Ask about a basic bank account. If you meet the eligibility conditions, this may provide a lower-cost option.

What is a basic bank account?

Portugal has a regulated account called a conta de serviços mínimos bancários, or basic bank account. It provides essential services, including a current account and debit card, at a reduced cost.

Banco de Portugal says eligible customers can access this service for a maximum annual charge of €5.37 in 2026. Generally, applicants must not hold another current account, although exceptions apply.

Banks covered by the scheme must provide these services to eligible customers. However, a basic bank account does not remove the normal identity and verification requirements, so it is not an automatic solution for someone whose documents cannot be verified.

Read the regulator’s official basic bank account guidance to check the eligibility rules.

Can you use Revolut or Wise instead?

Digital financial services may be useful if you need to manage money while exploring your banking options. However, they have their own eligibility rules and should not be treated as guaranteed alternatives for immigrants without residence documents.

Revolut: Its official eligibility guidance says applicants must be at least 18 and legally resident in a supported country. It also requires a valid government-issued identity document and other personal information. A passport may help verify your identity, but it does not automatically prove that you meet the residency requirements.

Wise: Wise’s official verification guidance lists passports among the identity documents it may accept. Depending on the circumstances, Wise may also request proof of address or evidence that you have the legal right to reside in the country registered on your account.

Before registering with either provider, check the current terms, the services available in Portugal and the documents required for your particular situation.

Check the fees before opening an account

Once a bank confirms that it can process your application, compare the costs and services before signing the agreement. Some accounts have monthly maintenance fees or charges for cards, transfers and other services.

Banco de Portugal requires banks to provide information about an account’s conditions and fees before it is opened. Ask for the fee information document and read the account conditions carefully.

You should also confirm how you will receive your debit card, access online banking and obtain your IBAN, the number used to identify your bank account for transfers.

The bottom line

You do not necessarily have to wait for a residence card before asking a Portuguese bank to assess your application. Banco de Portugal recognises a valid passport as a possible identity document, but you must still provide the other required information and pass the bank’s verification checks.

Start with your passport, NIF and proof of address, and ask the bank which additional documents it needs before making an appointment. If your application is refused, find out why, compare other banks and check whether you qualify for a basic bank account or an eligible digital service.

The most reliable approach is to check the official requirements before applying. A passport may open the door to an application, but complete documentation and successful verification are what matter when the bank makes its decision.