Whether you’re sipping wine in Porto, taking in the sunset in Lisbon’s Alfama district, or enjoying seafood along the Algarve, knowing how to manage currency in Portugal is essential for a relaxed experience. Money in Portugal mainly runs on cards in urban areas, but cash (Euro – EUR) is still preferred in smaller towns, markets, and for tipping. This guide will show you the best ways to get and use money in Lisbon and Portugal-covering exchange tips, ATM insights, and smart safety practices-so you can focus on the beauty of your journey, not the stress of spending.
How to pay in Portugal & Lisbon – cash or card?
Card usages are pretty common. Many tourists prefer using cards, with around 70 to 80% of transactions being done without cash.
You can use cash for:
- Budget hotels (some independent guesthouses)
- Hostels (especially smaller ones)
- Local tour operators (surf schools, tuk-tuk tours, fado shows)
- Tips and gratuities (restaurants, taxis, housekeeping)
- Street food (bifana stands, food trucks)
- Small eateries / restaurants (tascas, snack bars)
- Small purchases
- Local expenses at neighborhood stores and markets
- Local taxis (some still prefer cash)
- Laundry services
- Mobile SIM and phone top-up
- Nightlife / bars (especially small or local bars)
You can use card for:
- 4 and 5 star hotels
- Hostels (major city hostels)
- Large tour operators (day tours, excursions)
- Shopping at malls and branded outlets
- Entry fees to castles, museums, UNESCO sites
- Local buses (Lisbon Viva card or contactless)
- Local trains (CP, Fertagus – cards accepted)
- Airport transport (aerobus, metro, taxis)
- Sit-down restaurants
- Upscale restaurants
- Online bookings for upscale hotels, flights, tours
- Spas
- Tailoring services
- Vehicle renting
- App-based taxis (Bolt, Uber, FreeNow)
- Emergency medical clinics / pharmacies
Portugal supports both cash and card seamlessly. It’s best to have some euros in hand, especially outside Lisbon and Porto, or for small cafés and transport.
What’s the best currency to take to Portugal & Lisbon?
In Portugal, Euros are widely accepted as its the national currency. Euro notes are available in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200. No other currency is usually accepted in the country.
So, Euro is the best currency to take to Portugal & Lisbon.
Where to get the local currency in Portugal & Lisbon?
In Portugal & Lisbon, you can get the local currency in 3 ways. These are:
ATMs, or
Currency exchange
Money transfer and local pick-up
Types of cards to swipe in Portugal & Lisbon
Visa and Mastercard transactions are commonly accepted for swiping. You might also find some places that accept Amex and other cards, albeit less frequently.
Should I exchange money before travelling to Portugal & Lisbon?
If you’re coming from a Eurozone country, there’s no need to exchange money-Portugal uses the Euro (EUR). If you’re coming from a non-Euro country, it’s smart to bring a small amount of EUR for immediate expenses like taxis, food, or transport.
ATMs (called Multibanco) are widespread across Lisbon and the rest of Portugal. They support Visa, Mastercard, Cirrus, Plus, and Maestro cards. Portuguese ATMs are known for offering good rates, but always decline Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) to be charged in EUR instead of your home currency for better value.
Currency exchange offices exist in airports, city centers, and tourist areas, but airport and hotel rates are often worse. For better rates, visit banks or city exchange offices. Prepaid travel cards and apps like Wise and Revolut are also popular among travelers.
Cards are widely accepted in Portugal, especially in Lisbon, Porto, and coastal towns. However, some smaller cafés, rural businesses, or taxi drivers may still prefer cash. A combination of cards and cash ensures flexibility.
Where to withdraw money in Portugal & Lisbon
The best ATMs for foreigners to use in Portugal are those owned by popular banks such as:
- MB Multibanco,
- Novobanco,
- Millennium BCP,
- Caixa Geral,
- Banco BPI, and
- Activo.
Portugal also has ATMs from various international banks such as Santander.
For a detailed guide, read Cash and ATMs in Portugal & Lisbon.
Discover fee-free and low-fee ATMs on the ATM Fee Saver mobile app for iOS and Android. This app provides ATM PINs and details of leading bank ATMs such as ATM fees and withdrawal limits for foreign cardholders at ATMs in Portugal & Lisbon. Moreover, its simple fee calculator helps you determine exact withdrawal charges. You can also find cash tips and tricks on the app for 160+ countries including Portugal & Lisbon.
Download now from the App Store or Play Store.
Where to exchange currency in Portugal & Lisbon
In Portugal & Lisbon, you can exchange currency at authorised currency exchanges, banks, airports, and hotels, the most popular being authorised currency exchanges.
Currency exchange in Portugal-especially in Lisbon-is straightforward. Exchange bureaus are plentiful in tourist zones, shopping districts, and transport hubs.
Best areas in Lisbon:
Baixa-Chiado, Rua Augusta, and Rossio Square
Lisbon Airport (Humberto Delgado Airport) – convenient, but lower rates
Gare do Oriente and Cais do Sodré train stations
- Notable currency exchanges are:
Nova Câmbios
Unicâmbio
Global Exchange
Eurochange
- Banks Offering Currency Exchange:
Caixa Geral de Depósitos
Banco Santander Totta
Novo Banco
Bank rates can be higher, and they may only exchange for customers. Exchange bureaus usually offer better walk-in rates with faster service.
💡 Tip: EUR is the local currency. If exchanging USD or GBP, compare multiple bureaus for the best deal. Cards are widely accepted, but carry cash for local cafés, markets, or taxis.
Pro-tips:
Stay away from airport exchanges – Poor rates
Avoid the black market – Be wary of being conned.
Include fresh notes – If your notes are damaged or dirty, you can expect to pay more or less.
Is carrying money in Portugal & Lisbon safe?
You can totally travel around Portugal with a decent amount of cash without any worries. And important. Here are some tips to keep your money safe while you’re in Portugal:
Some safety tips for carrying cash while travelling in Portugal & Lisbon are:
- Carry only the cash you need.
- Do not keep all the cash in one pocket or wallet.
- Put some cash in a safety belt or fanny pack.
- Do not flash your cash.
- When paying, do not remove or display your entire cash.
- Keep wallets preferably in front pockets.
- Cross-wear your purses if possible.
- Hold your purses, wallets and bags close and tight on crowded streets and in public trains and buses.
- When withdrawing cash, keep the cash low while you count it so people around don’t see it.
- If you’re dining alone, don’t leave your wallet / bag unattented while you go to the restroom.
- If sitting outdoors in a restaurant, don’t leave your wallets / bags on the table.
Is it better to use debit or credit cards or pay by cash in Portugal & Lisbon
Use a card if it is fee-free i.e. your bank does not charge any fees to swipe the card, when the merchant / POS also does not impose any extra charge to use a card, you need to use the insurance of the card, don’t want to block cash of large purchases and card’s swipe fees are lower than withdrawal fees.
Pay by cash by withdrawing cash from ATM or exchanging currency where – fees on ATM withdrawals are lesser than fees on swiping cards, you don’t want to leave any digital footprint of your expenses, it is convenient and easier to conduct transactions.
