Having the NIF of both parties included in the contract, and ensuring the contract is formalized and registered with the Portuguese Tax Authority (“Finanças”), offers protection against illegal practices — such as informal, verbal, or off-the-record agreements — which provide no legal security.

In addition, the NIF allows the tenant to access tax benefits, such as deducting rental expenses on their IRS (Personal Income Tax), as long as the contract is properly registered and includes their NIF. This registration promotes transparency and helps prevent fraud, protecting the tenant from potential abuses.

Another important point is that the NIF is an official form of identification, ensuring that the contract is linked to the correct person, avoiding confusion or future disputes regarding the person named in the contract. In case any issues arise — such as the need to file a complaint or resolve a conflict — the NIF simplifies the process with judicial or administrative authorities.

How can I check if the landlord registered the rental contract with “Finanças” using my NIF?

The tenant can request proof of registration from the landlord, such as a copy of the Modelo 2 rental declaration submitted to “Finanças.”

Alternatively, the tenant can check this information directly on the “Portal das Finanças,” where it is possible to verify whether the contract has been properly reported and linked to their tax identification number. Additionally, the presence of electronic rent receipts on “e-Fatura” also indicates that the landlord is complying with tax obligations.

Equally important is to mention that issuing rent payment receipts is generally a legal requirement. This official document from “Finanças” must be provided to the tenant by the landlord after each monthly rent payment, but it is only issued if the contract is properly declared. You can learn more about rent receipts below.

Why Rent Receipts Are Important for Tenants?

Rent receipts are not just a formality, they are a central element of the tenant’s legal and financial security. Requesting these documents and ensuring they include the tenant’s NIF is essential to guarantee tax benefits, legal protection, and a fair contractual relationship.

1. Proof of payment

Rent receipts serve as official proof that the tenant has fulfilled their obligation to pay the rent. In case of a dispute with the landlord (for example, claims of late or missed payments), the tenant can present these receipts as evidence, protecting themselves against unjustified actions.

2. Tax benefits

When rent receipts are issued with the tenant’s NIF (Tax Identification Number), the rent paid can be included as a deductible expense in the annual IRS (Personal Income Tax) declaration, allowing the tenant to benefit from tax deductions.

3. Legal validation of the contract

Properly issued receipts indicate that the rental contract is registered and declared to the Tax Authority. This contributes to a more transparent relationship between landlord and tenant, ensuring that both comply with their legal obligations. The absence of receipts may indicate informal arrangements or even tax irregularities on the landlord’s part.

4. Protection in case of legal conflicts

In any conflict resolution process, whether through judicial or extrajudicial means, rent receipts serve as valid proof. They can be used to verify dates, amounts paid, tenant identity, and payment regularity, being essential in situations such as contract terminations, evictions, or claims over wrongfully withheld security deposits, among other disputes.

So, don’t hesitate! Always ask for the Rent Receipts, which must be provided to you by the landlord.

These receipts are issued by the Portuguese Tax and Customs Authority (Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira) and include: the landlord’s name and NIF; the tenant’s name and NIF; property identification; rent amount paid; date of rent payment; the rental period covered; rent receipt number; date of issue of the rent receipt; among other details.

You can see an example of a rent receipt in the photo included in this article.

In short, for the tenant, having and using the NIF in the rental contract is the way to be formally protected, secure tax rights, and ensure the contract’s validity under the law. This promotes greater security and trust in the landlord-tenant relationship, as well as a more transparent and balanced housing market.

If you don’t have your NIF yet, obtaining it should be one of your first steps upon arriving (or even before) in Portugal. The good news is that NIF4Erasmus handles everything for you, 100% online, with the simplest and most accessible process on the market. Moreover, the NIF application service already includes the request for your access password to the Portal das Finanças.

If you have any other questions or need legal assistance, don’t hesitate to contact us directly!