Godinho, who on Tuesday visited one of the offices in Lisbon where the number is issued, said that the figure was proof that there is great demand for the new 'NISS na Hora' service and that with such moves to simplify bureaucratic procedures it is possible to respond better to people's needs.

"The more we uncomplicate [matters] the more people enter the system," she said, noting that 18.5% of those issued with numbers in this way are Brazilian nationals and 8% from India.

The NISS on the Spot programme is aimed at foreigners living in Portugal who want to start a professional activity, making it quicker and simpler to register in the system and also helping speed up and simplify visa procedures.

According to the minister, 108 social security branches around the country are taking part in the NISS On the Spot programme, in district headquarters of the Institute of Social Security but also in local offices.

Last year in all around 160,000 of the 480,000 foreigners living in Portugal were registered with social security, according to data from government.