Open a Bank Account in Portugal from Abroad

Opening a bank account in Portugal from abroad is sometimes possible, although the process depends on the bank, the applicant’s profile and the verification requirements involved.

This page provides general information only. Portuguese banks apply their own procedures, and requirements may vary depending on the institution and individual circumstances. Details should be confirmed with the bank, Portuguese authorities or a qualified professional.

Can You Open a Bank Account in Portugal from Abroad?

Some banks offer remote account-opening processes for applicants outside Portugal, although availability depends on the institution and the applicant’s circumstances.

Remote applications generally involve documentation, identity verification and compliance checks, which may be additional to or different from those used for in-person applications.

How Opening a Bank Account from Abroad Works

Opening a bank account remotely generally involves providing documentation, completing identity verification and undergoing compliance checks without being physically present in Portugal.

Depending on the bank’s procedures, remote verification may involve methods such as video identification or certified documentation.

A Portuguese tax identification number (NIF) usually forms part of the requirements for opening a standard bank account in Portugal, including in many remote account-opening processes.

Typical Requirements

Requirements vary between banks, and remote applications may involve additional or different documentation and verification requirements.

Common requirements may include:

• valid passport or national ID;
• Portuguese NIF;
• proof of address in the country of residence;
• proof of income or source of funds;
• foreign tax identification number, where applicable;
• information about the intended use of the account.

For a full breakdown, see documents needed to open a bank account in Portugal.

Identity Verification and Compliance

Identity verification is a key part of remote account opening. Banks apply customer identification and anti-money laundering requirements as part of their onboarding and compliance procedures.

Depending on the bank and the documentation involved, verification may include:

• video identification;
• certified copies of documents;
• notarised or apostilled documents, where required based on the document, its origin and the bank’s procedures;
• additional checks relating to tax residence and financial activity.

The checks and verification methods used for remote applications depend on the bank and the applicant’s circumstances.

Limitations of Opening from Abroad

Opening a bank account from abroad is not always available and may be limited depending on the bank and applicant profile.

Possible limitations may include:

• availability depending on the applicant’s country of residence or other eligibility criteria;
• processing times affected by remote verification;
• additional documentation requirements;
• differences in the accounts or banking products available to particular customer profiles.

Some account-opening processes may also involve an in-person visit at a later stage, depending on the bank’s procedures.

Opening from Abroad as a Non-Resident

Applicants who live outside Portugal may be treated as non-resident customers for banking purposes, depending on their circumstances and the bank’s classification procedures.

Non-resident applications may involve additional checks, including verification of foreign address, tax residence and source-of-funds information.

See opening a bank account in Portugal as a non-resident for more detail.

Can You Open a Bank Account from Abroad Without a NIF?

A NIF usually forms part of the requirements for opening a standard Portuguese bank account, including in many remote account-opening processes.

Requirements and any exceptions depend on the bank, the type of account and the applicant’s circumstances.

See whether it is possible to open a bank account without a NIF.

Why People Open Accounts from Abroad

A Portuguese bank account may be relevant before arrival in several situations.

• preparing for relocation;
• buying property in Portugal;
• paying deposits or initial expenses;
• supporting visa or residence processes;
• organising finances in connection with a move to Portugal.

Where the account is part of a relocation plan, moving to Portugal may provide additional context.

When Professional Support May Be Useful

Qualified independent professionals may, within their respective areas of competence and depending on the circumstances, provide support in relation to matters such as NIF applications, document preparation or cross-border administrative requirements connected with relocation, property or visa processes.

The nature and scope of any professional support depend on the applicant’s circumstances and on the requirements of the institutions involved.

Portugal Vista provides general information and may, where appropriate, connect readers with qualified independent professionals. Professional services are provided directly by the relevant professionals.

Related Pages

• How to open a bank account in Portugal
• Opening a bank account in Portugal as a non-resident
• Documents required to open a Portuguese bank account
• Do you need a NIF to open a bank account in Portugal?
• How to get a NIF in Portugal

FAQ

Can you open a bank account in Portugal from abroad?

Some banks offer remote account-opening processes for applicants outside Portugal, although availability and requirements depend on the institution and the applicant’s circumstances.

Do you need a NIF to open a bank account from abroad?

A NIF usually forms part of the requirements for opening a standard Portuguese bank account, including in many remote account-opening processes.

Is it possible to open a Portuguese bank account online?

Some banks offer online or partially digital account-opening processes, subject to their identity verification, documentation and eligibility requirements.

Can non-residents open a bank account from abroad?

Non-residents may be able to open a Portuguese bank account remotely, subject to the bank’s documentation, identification and verification requirements.

How long does it take to open a bank account remotely?

Processing times vary depending on the bank, documentation and verification process. Remote verification or additional documentation can affect the time required.

This guide was prepared with care to provide clear, factual information based on official Portuguese sources and general banking practice. Requirements may change, and individual cases can vary. Readers should confirm details with Portuguese authorities, banks or qualified professionals before making decisions.