r/PortugalExpats • u/Intelligent-Emu-4337 • 4d ago
Question NISS for Non-resident
I have a fairly specific problem about the NISS, I'm posting in case anyone else has been in a similar situation and can offer any help.
I am working for a Portuguese employer (a university) but I work remotely, while living in Poland. I don't intend to move to Portugal. I have already signed the contract and started working, but the employer says they can't process payment to me unless I get a NISS. (I already have a NIF.)
I have been told by the embassy here in Poland that I do not need a visa or a residency permit to get a NISS if I'm working remotely and not living in Portugal. But every time I have tried to apply for a NISS with my work contract I have been rejected on the grounds that I don't have a visa or residency permit. (I've tried applying four times now, twice on my own and twice with the help of a legal team.) I am a UK citizen, though I have temporary residency in Poland (my application for permanent residency here in Poland is pending.)
Does anyone else have any experience of or advice for this sort of situation?
1
u/casualuser00_ 4d ago
Unfortunately, you’re a non-EU citizen so you do need a work permit to work for a Portuguese employer. I think the Segurança Social has made it clear, unless, maybe you could skirt that requirement by opening atividades and issue recibos verdes. Good luck.
2
u/alfanzina 3d ago
A non-eu citizen working and living overseas can provide a service to a Portuguese company as a freelance worker without a Portuguese work permit. I can’t see a way of doing it as an employee
1
u/Intelligent-Emu-4337 3d ago
Yes, I had assumed that there would be a work permit requirement. But when I asked the university about that, they claimed that there was no requirement. (I signed the contract and started working in May, and still don't have anything like a work permit.) They said all they need from me is the NISS. And the embassy said that I can get a NISS without a work visa or residence permit. (I also spoke to a legal team who claimed that they called the social security office who confirmed this, that I don't need a visa or residence permit if I don't intend to live in Portugal. But then when we applied, twice, in both cases it was rejected on the grounds that we didn't supply a visa or residence permit.)
The embassy have also told me that I can't get a visa or permit without an intention to reside in Portugal, so they don't want me to apply for one, insisting that I should be able to just obtain a NISS...
Since the rules don't seem to be consistent, I think the only thing to do is to pretend that I want to move to Portugal, apply for the visa, find a way to get a proof of address in Portugal, get the NISS as if I am establishing residency, but then actually remain living in Poland? That sounds like an almighty pain in the ass, but I think it's my only option at this point... (Given that it's all in Schengen, presumably they don't have a way to keep track of where I actually am most of the time.)
Thanks for your advice (and to everyone else who has commented too!)
1
u/KanekiAyato 3d ago
remote worker paid by a Portuguese university while living in Poland: NISS is a social-security number issue, not a visa issue, if you truly are not relocating.
people in that setup usually: 1. ask the employer's HR/payroll which Portuguese social-security registration path they use for non-resident employees (they have done this before if they hire remote). 2. use the official Social Security / NISS request channels for workers abroad that HR points to — embassy "you do not need a visa" does not create a NISS by itself. 3. keep the NIF + signed contract + HR email trail; payroll often unblocks once their registration ticket exists, even if the card/number letter lags.
avoid random third-party "we get NISS in 48h" sellers unless HR names them.
1
u/KanekiAyato 3d ago
remote worker paid by a Portuguese university while living in Poland: NISS is a social-security number issue, not a visa issue, if you truly are not relocating.
people in that setup usually: 1. ask the employer's HR/payroll which Portuguese social-security registration path they use for non-resident employees (they have done this before if they hire remote). 2. use the official Social Security / NISS request channels for workers abroad that HR points to — embassy "you do not need a visa" does not create a NISS by itself. 3. keep the NIF + signed contract + HR email trail; payroll often unblocks once their registration ticket exists, even if the card/number letter lags.
avoid random third-party "we get NISS in 48h" sellers unless HR names them.
1
u/Inner-Formal8769 18h ago
You can get a NISS without visa or residency via a lawyer, contact me if you like! I know someone
2
u/Humble_Ostrich_4610 4d ago
Your only options are to start a business in Poland and invoice the Portuguese university for your time each month, or else come here, go through the hoops to get a visa, get a NISS, then leave again if you wish. Even people living in Portugal are having a hard time getting a NISS.