VAT Status Certificate (Certidão de Enquadramento de IVA)
A certificate from the AT proving the IVA (VAT) regime under which your activity is registered.
What it is for
- Show a client or partner which IVA regime you are under.
- Confirm the registered status after changing your activity.
- Respond to requests from organisations that require proof of your IVA status.
What it is
This is the document in which the AT certifies how an activity is classified for IVA purposes, i.e. the registered regime and the related details. It is not a periodic IVA return, nor does it prove that the tax has been paid.
How we collect it
We request it using the holder's NIF and Tax Portal (Portal das Finanças) password and deliver the official PDF of the certificate.
Access required: Tax Portal (Portal das Finanças). Credentials are encrypted only during the collection and deleted at the end.
Things to note
To use the document outside Portugal, the AT provides a different route, under «Pedir certidão» (Request certificate) for taxable persons or for IVA refunds abroad. Check which certificate the organisation actually wants.
Frequently asked questions
Does it prove that I have no debts to the Tax and Customs Authority?
No. That is what the tax debt / no debt certificate is for.
Does this certificate tell me whether I should charge IVA on a transaction?
Not on its own. Each transaction has its own rules; if in doubt, contact the AT or an accountant.
Related documents
Proof of the declaration registering the start of an activity with the Tax Authority (Finanças), showing the start date, activity codes and tax regime.
Proof of Change of Activity (Comprovativo de Alteração de Atividade)Proof of the declaration of changes submitted to the AT when you change your activity code, tax regime or other registration details.
Text reviewed in November 2026.