Spain, Portugal, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Ireland: what each number is called, who issues it, how to apply, what it costs where the official page says so, and what you can do before you have it.
Countries7Facts with a source88Last checked2026-10-21
Official source readwe read it on an official page
Partly verifiedconfirmed only in part, see the note
Not verifiedwe could not confirm it
Planning help, not legal advice.Every fact links to the official page it came from. Where we could not confirm something, it says Not verified and tells you who to ask. Fees, documents and deadlines change: confirm on the official page before you go.
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Whether a bank, employer, phone shop or landlord asks for it first: the official page does not say. Check with the bank, employer, operator or landlord.
NIE or certificate? EU, EEA and Swiss citizens who will live in Spain for more than three months apply for the Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la UE (form EX18). It is issued immediately and states your NIE.
Non-EU residents: the police site lists a separate procedure for the initial card or renewal of residence, or residence and work (form EX17). We only saw it listed, we did not read it. Check with the Oficina de Extranjería which route your permit follows.
NIE on request: you must not be in an irregular situation in Spain and must state the reasons for asking. The page says the procedure must be resolved within a maximum of five days, and that if no reply is issued in that time the request is understood to be rejected.
EU certificate: apply in person within three months of entering Spain, at the Oficina de Extranjería of the province where you will live or, if there is none, at the corresponding police station.
EU certificate: form EX18, proof of payment of tax model 790 code 012, a valid passport or national ID card (if expired, a copy of it and of the renewal application) and documents proving the requirements of article 7 of Real Decreto 240/2007.
Which papers prove your economic, professional or social reason for an NIE on request: the page does not list them. Check with the Oficina de Extranjería.
The NIE page links the online generator for form 790 code 012, so you can prepare and pay the fee before your visit. From abroad you can start at a Spanish consulate.
The NIF is required of individuals, Portuguese or foreign, resident or not, who have legal obligations to meet or want to exercise rights with the tax authority.
NIF: book an in-person appointment at the Finanças through the CAT line 217 206 707 (weekdays, 9:00 to 19:00). If you live outside the EU, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, a representative can apply through the Finanças e-balcão.
The Portal das Finanças FAQ adds that the online request is made by the foreign citizen's legal representative. If approved, the NIF is assigned as non-resident; once you become a Portuguese tax resident you must request an address change.
NISS: fill in the online form on the Segurança Social portal. An employer can also request it once you start working. If you live in Portugal you can request the NIF, NISS and SNS user number together.
NISS pickup: you receive a registered letter, then collect the number at a Segurança Social service point (book through SIGA or call 210 548 888 or 300 088 888, weekdays 9:00 to 18:00).
NIF, resident in the EU/EEA, Andorra or Switzerland: ID or passport plus the Certificado de Registo de Cidadão da União Europeia issued by the local council.
NIF, non-resident: the gov.pt guide lists ID or passport plus a tax representative resident in Portugal. The Portal das Finanças FAQ describes the online applicant as a legal representative, a different role from a fiscal representative. Check with the Finanças which applies to you.
NISS: scanned valid national ID, passport or residence card (EU/EEA/Swiss); valid passport, work visa and residence authorisation (third-country nationals); proof of work or of your residence application.
Gather your documents and check their validity dates, scan them (EU documents must be submitted digitised), arrange a tax representative if you are non-resident, ask your employer to request the NISS when you start, and book your appointment in advance.
Whether a bank, employer, phone shop or landlord asks for it first: the official page does not say. Check with the bank, employer, operator or landlord.
You contact the primary health insurance fund (CPAM); farm workers contact the Mutualité sociale agricole (MSA). The body forwards your file to the National Old-Age Insurance Fund (Cnav), which decides on your social security number. The page offers a Pivot Local tool to find your office.
Why most newcomers start with a provisional number: if your identity or residence document and your civil status document give sufficient guarantees of authenticity, the body first issues a waiting identification number and only then forwards the file to the Cnav for the permanent number.
If only the identity or residence document qualifies, you still get a waiting number but have 3 months to supply the civil status document. After the first 3 months you get another 3. If you still have not supplied it, benefit payments are temporarily suspended.
How long the permanent number takes, and whether an ameli account or a Carte Vitale is available with a waiting number: the pages we read do not say. Check with your CPAM.
An identity or residence document that allows your identification, and a civil status document confirming your identity, for example a full copy of your birth certificate. It needs a French translation unless it comes from the EEA, Switzerland or is exempt under an international agreement.
Whether a bank, employer, phone shop or landlord asks for it first: the official page does not say. Check with the bank, employer, operator or landlord.
Steuer-ID: the Bundeszentralamt für Steuern (BZSt) issues it and mails it to your registered address. For registered residents the Bürgeramt forwards your data; if you are not registered, the responsible Finanzamt may assign it.
Sozialversicherungsnummer: the Deutsche Rentenversicherung says health insurers, the Bundesagentur für Arbeit and your employer take care of your registration, for example your employer registers you when you start work.
The number itself is assigned by the Datenstelle der Rentenversicherung when the employer files the registration. This comes from a Rentenversicherung information sheet that we found through search but did not open in full; confirm with your employer or Krankenkasse.
The Steuer-ID comes after your Anmeldung: it is assigned after birth or first registration and mailed to your registered address. You do not apply for it.
The BZSt sends it by letter only, never by phone. If it is missing, check your Einkommensteuerbescheid or Lohnsteuerbescheinigung; otherwise request it again through the BZSt form, by letter or in the BZSt online portal.
Sozialversicherungsnummer: tell your employer, health insurer or the Agentur für Arbeit if you already have a Versicherungsnummer from the Deutsche Rentenversicherung.
The codice fiscale is a 16-character code that identifies individuals in all dealings with public bodies and administrations. The health card (tessera sanitaria) includes it.
Whether a bank, employer, phone shop or landlord asks for it first: the official page does not say. Check with the bank, employer, operator or landlord.
If you enter Italy for work or family reunification the sportelli unici per l'immigrazione assign it. If you apply for or renew a residence permit, the questure assign it.
Non-EU citizens can apply at any local office of the Agenzia delle Entrate by booking an appointment, using form AA4/8 (it can also be sent by certified email, PEC).
Whether a bank, employer, phone shop or landlord asks for it first: the official page does not say. Check with the bank, employer, operator or landlord.
Municipalities register residents in the BRP. If you live abroad or stay less than four months, you register at an RNI desk (Non-residents Records Database) and are given your BSN.
Register in person at an RNI desk so a staff member can verify your identity. If you are not a national of the Netherlands, another EU/EEA state or Switzerland, you can only book the Breda or Venlo desk. Others can choose any desk.
Staying longer than four months: you register with your municipality as a resident and the BSN comes with that registration. The BRP page says short-stay people get the BSN when they register; the number of days for resident registration is not stated on the pages we read. Check with your municipality.
A valid passport or identity card, and an interpreter if you are not fluent in Dutch or English. For a child under 16: the child's valid passport or ID and a birth certificate or acknowledgement of parentage. Foreign documents may need translation or legalisation.
The PPS number gives access to social welfare benefits, public services and information in Ireland. It is seven numbers followed by one or two letters. Our checker could not open the gov.ie page, so this is taken from the page as quoted in search results; confirm it on gov.ie.
Whether a bank, employer, phone shop or landlord asks for it first: the official page does not say. Check with the bank, employer, operator or landlord.
Adults (18 or over) apply online through MyWelfare with a basic MyGovID account and must show why they need a PPS number. Search results for the same page also mention an in-person appointment at a PPS Number Allocation Centre and a paper form (REG1) as an alternative; we could not confirm the current steps. Check on gov.ie.
How recent the proof of address must be: only third-party pages mention a limit, so we do not state one. Check with the Department of Social Protection.