Important documents
A complete list of important documents to keep organized, where to store them, and how to ensure your family can find them when needed.
Personal identification
- • Cartão de Cidadão (Citizens Card / ID) - includes NIF, NISS, and health number
- • Passport
- • Driving license (carta de condução)
- • Birth certificate (certidão de nascimento)
- • Marriage certificate (certidão de casamento) if applicable
- • Divorce decree if applicable
- • Residence permit (autorização de residência) if not a Portuguese citizen
Legal and financial documents
- • Will (testamento) - and its location
- • Living Will (Diretivas Antecipadas de Vontade / RENTEV)
- • Power of Attorney (procuração) if one exists
- • Property deeds (escrituras) for all owned properties
- • Caderneta Predial (property tax document from Finanças)
- • Rental contracts (contratos de arrendamento)
- • Vehicle registration documents (documento único automóvel)
Financial information
- • Bank account details - all accounts, including IBAN numbers
- • Investment accounts - shares, bonds, funds
- • Pension information - Segurança Social number (NISS), private pensions
- • Mortgage documents (crédito habitação)
- • Loan agreements and credit card details
- • Tax returns (IRS) - at least the last 3 years
- • Portal das Finanças login credentials
Insurance policies
- • Life insurance (seguro de vida)
- • Health insurance (seguro de saúde)
- • Home insurance (seguro multirriscos habitação)
- • Car insurance (seguro automóvel)
- • Funeral insurance (seguro funeral)
- • Credit protection insurance (seguro de vida do crédito)
Digital information
- • Password manager master password and recovery method
- • Email accounts and access information
- • Social media accounts and legacy contact settings
- • Cloud storage (Google Drive, iCloud, Dropbox, etc.)
- • Online banking access details
- • Subscription services list
Where to keep documents
At home
Use a fireproof safe or a locked filing cabinet. Keep it in a known location and tell a trusted family member where the key is.
Bank safe deposit box
Very secure, but be aware that access may be restricted after death until the inheritance process is complete. Do not store the will here.
Digital copies
Scan important documents and store encrypted copies in a secure cloud service. This provides backup in case of fire, flood, or theft.
Important: do NOT store the will in a bank safe deposit box
If a will is stored in a bank safe deposit box, it may be inaccessible after death because the box is frozen along with the bank accounts. Keep the will at the Cartório Notarial (for public wills) or at home in a secure place that your family knows about.