You do not have to pay anything. Of course, if you enter a smaller café you should ask the owner to let you go to the toilets. The Portuguese are kind. Look for shopping centers, at pastelarias it depends, at one of the most central in Lisbon (called Suiça) you have to pay or be a costumer to be able to use it.

In 2026, public restrooms in Portugal are a mix of free and paid facilities. Restrooms in shopping malls, large museums, and modern airports are almost always free and maintained to a high standard. However, in major tourist hubs like Lisbon’s Baixa district or Porto’s Ribeira, you will often find standalone "street" cabins or facilities in train stations (like Rossio or Santa Apolónia) that require a small fee, typically €0.50 to €1.00. These are often coin-operated or have an attendant. In smaller towns, it is common practice to enter a local café or pasteleria, purchase a small item like an espresso (bica), and then use their facilities for "free." Public "pissoirs" for men are occasionally found in city parks and are free, but for a full service or a cleaner experience, carrying small change is highly recommended for any traveler navigating Portugal’s historic centers.