Money in Portugal: ATMs, Cards, Cash and Tipping

Money questions come up in our groups every week: “Do I need cash?”, “Which ATMs are safe?”, “How much should I tip?” Here’s everything you need to know about paying your way in Portugal without losing money to fees.

Quick answer: pay by card almost everywhere, carry a little cash for small cafés and markets, take money out of bank (Multibanco) ATMs, avoid the yellow Euronet machines, and always choose to pay in euros. Tipping is appreciated but not expected.

Cash or card?

Portugal’s currency is the euro (€). Cards, contactless and phone payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay) work in nearly all hotels, restaurants, supermarkets and shops, and on the Lisbon metro. Keep some cash, around €20–50, for:

• small family-run cafés and tascas (some have a card minimum, or are cash only)
• markets, kiosks and street food
• tips, toilets and the odd parking machine
• rural areas and small villages

ATMs: Multibanco vs Euronet

This is where most visitors lose money.

• Multibanco ATMs are run by Portuguese banks and found outside banks and in supermarkets. They don’t usually add their own fee (your home bank might).
• Euronet and other independent ATMs are the bright yellow and blue machines in tourist streets, airports and hotel lobbies. They commonly charge €5–8 per withdrawal and push a bad exchange rate on top.

Rule of thumb: if the ATM isn’t attached to a bank or doesn’t say Multibanco, walk on.

Always pay in euros (say no to “conversion”)

When an ATM or card machine asks “Pay in your home currency?” or offers a “guaranteed rate”, choose EUR / euros / without conversion. This trick is called dynamic currency conversion and can quietly add 3–7% (sometimes more) to every payment. Your own bank or travel card almost always gives a better rate.

Travel cards save money

Cards from Wise, Revolut and other travel-friendly banks give you close-to-real exchange rates and low or no foreign fees. Many of our members use one for the whole trip. Set it up before you leave, and keep a second card in a different bag as a backup.

Tipping in Portugal

• Restaurants: service isn’t usually added. Rounding up or leaving 5–10% for good service is appreciated, but not expected the way it is in the US.
• Cafés and bars: leave the small change, or nothing.
• Taxis: round up to the nearest euro or two.
• Tour guides and drivers: a tip for a great day out is a nice gesture. €5–10 per person is common for a day tour.
• Hotels: a couple of euros for housekeeping or porters if you like.

The “couvert”: bread and olives aren’t free

In many restaurants, bread, butter, olives or cheese arrive at the table before you order. This is the couvert, and you’ll be charged for anything you eat. It’s completely normal and usually just a few euros. If you don’t want it, politely send it back.

Other costs to know about

• Tourist tax: Lisbon charges €4 and Porto €3 per person per night (for up to seven nights), usually paid at check-in. Many other towns charge one too.
• Tolls: many motorways have electronic tolls. Get a toll device with your hire car. See our car rental guide.
• Transport: load a navegante card in Lisbon to save on every trip. See our Lisbon transport guide.

How much does Portugal cost?

Portugal is still good value compared with much of Western Europe, though Lisbon and the Algarve in summer are noticeably pricier than the rest of the country. A coffee and pastel de nata is a couple of euros, a prato do dia (dish of the day) lunch in a local restaurant is often around €10–15, and dinner out costs more in tourist hotspots. The cheapest meals are where locals eat, a street or two away from the main squares.

Staying safe with money

• Watch your bag on Lisbon’s tram 28 and at busy viewpoints. Pickpockets love crowds.
• Don’t carry all your cards and cash in one place.
• Use ATMs inside banks or shops where you can.

Our free Portugal trip checklist has the rest of the essentials.

Prices and details change, so please double-check before you travel. Spotted something out of date? Tell us in the groups.