E-fatura is a government-run platform where all your invoices (or "faturas") are collected and recorded. When you make a purchase and ask for an invoice with your taxpayer number (NIF), the business sends that information to eFatura. The system then automatically updates with your spending details.
Thomas Maas
Jan 16, 2026
What is E-fatura?
E-fatura is an application launched to assist in the online registration of invoices. The Portuguese government introduced this system to control the VAT transactions. Instead of setting up a department to check these transactions, they leave part of the responsibility with the Portuguese residents. For adding the NIF number to invoices, the residents receive a deduction on their annual income taxes (IRS).
The E-fatura system links the invoice from the supplier to your personal page, connected by the NIF number. Due to the registration of the invoice, the state can control the incoming and outgoing VAT payments.
The E-fatura system links the invoice from the supplier to your personal page, connected by the NIF number. Due to the registration of the invoice, the state can control the incoming and outgoing VAT payments.
How do I benefit from E-fatura?
For adding your NIF number to invoices, you will receive a deduction on your annual income taxes (IRS). These deductions will be explained in the article below.
How to use E-fatura with purchases?
As of the 1st of January 2016, the cashier is obliged to ask each costumer if they would like their personal NIF number on the invoice. This counts for all stores in Portugal. The cashiers are obliged to ask, but you are not obliged to give or request. It´s your responsibility to check if the NIF number is correctly stated on your invoice. If your NIF number isn´t included, it usually states “Consumidor final” translated to English “End consumer”.
How does the website work?
Make sure you have your NIF number and senha de accesso (password) with you.
1) Go to the following link: https://faturas.portaldasfinancas.gov.pt/home.action
2) login with your credentials.
3) When you are logged in into the website you will see all the deductions:
Category | Maximum Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
👩👩👦👦 Despesas Gerais Familiares | Max: € 250 per taxpayer | (€ 500 for joint taxation) |
🏥 Saúde | Max: € 1.000 | 15% of the Total Amount |
🏫 Educação | Max: € 800 | € 900 / Max: € 800 (Pays, income) minimum support |
🏠 Habitação | Max: € 700 | € 700 (rents, interest on old credits have their own rules) |
🏠 Lares | Max: € 403,75 | (25% of expenses) |
🚙 Reparação de Automóveis | Max: € 250 (shared) | (15% of VAT - joint limit) |
🛵 Reparação de Motociclos | Max: € 250 (shared) | (15% of VAT - joint limit) |
🍲 Restauração e Alojamento | Max: € 250 (shared) | (15% of VAT - joint limit) |
🍲 Restauração e Alojamento | Max: € 250 (shared) | (15% of VAT - joint limit) |
💈 Cabeleireiros | Max: € 250 (shared) | (15% of VAT - joint limit) |
🦮 Atividades Veterinárias | Max: € 250 (shared) | (15% of VAT - joint limit) |
📰 Jornais e Revistas | Max: € 250 (shared) | (15% of VAT - joint limit) |
🚌 Transportes Públicos Coletivos | Max: € 250 (exclusive) | (100% of VAT does not count toward the joint limit above) |
1. General Household Expenses (Despesas Gerais Familiares)
This remains the most common category, covering supermarket trips, utilities, and general shopping.
• Deduction: 35% of the expense.
• Maximum Limit: €250 per taxpayer (€500 for couples filing jointly).
• Single-Parent Households: The deduction increases to 45% with a limit of €335.
2. Health (Saúde)
• Deduction: 15% of VAT-exempt or 6% VAT health expenses.
• Maximum Limit: €1,000 per household.
3. Education & Training (Educação)
• Deduction: 30% of expenses.
• Maximum Limit: €800.
• Special Increase: If the household has students "displaced" (living away from home for school) and paying rent, this limit can rise to €1,100, though the additional €300 must specifically relate to the student's rent.
4. Housing & Rent (Habitação)
This category is seeing the most substantial change due to the 2025 State Budget and housing reforms:
• Current (for 2025 filing): 15% of rent paid, with a limit of €700. (Note: Low-income brackets can see this increased via a specific formula up to €1,100).
• New Update (for 2026 filing/2025 expenses): The standard rent deduction limit is being raised to €900 to account for rising housing costs.
• Mortgage Interest: Only applies to contracts signed before Dec 31, 2011. The limit is €296.
5. VAT Benefit (IVA nas Faturas)
The 15% VAT refund for specific sectors (designed to combat the informal economy) has a combined global limit.
Limit: €250 per taxpayer.
Sectors included:
• Restaurants and Accommodation.
• Car and Motorcycle repairs.
• Hairdressers and Beauty salons.
• Veterinary expenses (including medicines).
New: for 2025/2026: Sports activities, gyms, and fitness clubs are now firmly established in this category, allowing 30% of the VAT paid (still within the €250 total limit).
• Public Transport: 100% of the VAT on monthly passes can be deducted.
6. Senior Care (Lares)
• Deduction: 25% of expenses.
• Maximum Limit: €403.75.
Key Deadline:
February 25, 2026: Deadline to validate all 2025 invoices on the e-Fatura portal.
