MONEY AND CURRENCY IN PORTUGAL

Money and currency in Portugal are straightforward to understand. Here’s some essential information:

Currency: The official currency of Portugal is the Euro (EUR), represented by the symbol €.

Banknotes and Coins: Euros come in both banknotes and coins. Banknotes are available in denominations of €5, €10, €20, €50, €100, €200, and €500. Coins are issued in denominations of €1 and €2 (in bimetallic form), and then 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents.

Exchanging Currency: You can exchange your home currency for euros at banks, exchange offices (casas de câmbio), and ATMs. Airports, train stations, and major tourist areas often have currency exchange counters.

ATMs: Portugal has a well-developed network of ATMs, known as Multibanco. ATMs are widely available, including in smaller towns, and they accept major credit and debit cards. Be aware that some ATMs may charge fees for international card usage, so check with your bank before withdrawing money.

Credit Cards: Credit cards are widely accepted in Portugal, especially in urban areas and at larger establishments. Visa and Mastercard are the most commonly used, while American Express and Diners Club may be less accepted.

Tipping: Tipping is customary in restaurants, and it’s common to leave a tip of around 10% of the bill. In bars, rounding up the bill is typical. In taxis, you can round up or leave a small tip.

Cost of Living: Portugal is considered one of the more affordable countries in Western Europe. However, prices can vary significantly by region, with major cities like Lisbon and Porto generally being more expensive than smaller towns and rural areas.

Currency Exchange Tips:

  • Use ATMs to withdraw cash in euros for the most favorable exchange rates.
  • Notify your bank before traveling to Portugal to prevent any issues with using your credit or debit cards.
  • Familiarize yourself with the currency, so you can easily identify different denominations.
  • When exchanging currency, compare rates at multiple exchange offices or banks to get the best deal.
  • Consider carrying some cash for small purchases, as not all places, especially local shops, may accept cards.

TOP TRAVEL & FOOD ® team is made of tireless Expert Curators team to reveal “secret spots told by locals” just for you. They search for incredible destinations, dream accommodations, best flavors, memorable events and excellence services, to offer the target audience of readers and partners the greatest coverage and the best achievement of results, using the most modern technologies and expertise in the sector.

All our Review´s standards are covered with the go through careful selection for evaluation,
making a Exclusive selection list that caters to criteria used internationally. Articles and Exclusive Spot Reviews are conceptualized to transmit readers how was each experience with a brand, product or service. We cover the segments related to Tourism, Lifestyle, Gastronomy and Services, besides any others related to the city that we consider relevant for broadcast. We permanently stay connected to the ecosystem of Local Hubs. adding direct value to the Business Market.