Is it better to carry cash or card in Portugal?

For example, some places won't take cards if you're spending less than 10 to 20 euros — other merchants won't take cards at all. If you pick the right card, you should have euros in your pocket. If you've brought dollars with you to Portugal, you won't have trouble getting your cash changed to Euros on the street.



For a trip to Portugal in 2026, the best strategy is a "70/30" split favoring cards, but carrying some cash remains essential. Contactless payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay, and chip-and-pin cards) are the standard in major cities like Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve, and you can even use your card for most taxis and metro tickets. However, Portugal has a unique traditional economy where many small family-owned "Tascas," local bakeries, and kiosks in rural areas either have a "minimum spend" for cards (often €5–€10) or remain "Dinheiro Apenas" (Cash Only). Furthermore, some older parking meters and small-town markets do not accept international credit cards, preferring the local "Multibanco" system. It is the "gold standard" to carry about €40–€50 in small denominations for these minor daily expenses. While you can withdraw cash from the widespread "MB" (Multibanco) ATMs, be sure to decline the "Dynamic Currency Conversion" (DCC) to ensure you get the bank's official exchange rate rather than a marked-up tourist rate.

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Cards are by far the most popular cashless payment method in Portugal, including international cards from Visa and Mastercard. Both credit and debit cards are used, but debit cards are much more common. It's worth noting that Multibanco cards – which we'll explain below – can be used as both debit and credit cards.

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Fewer Security Risks. There is also a practical security advantage with cash. Although debit and credit cards often have personal identification numbers (PIN) and chips for extra security, there is less risk of identity theft or your information getting stolen online when using cash.

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Tipping is not mandatory, and you should only do so if you feel comfortable about it and if you want to reward truly exceptional service. Tipping for great service is very much appreciated.

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If you're moving to Portugal or planning to spend a lot of time here, you could also consider opening a Portuguese bank account. These accounts allow you to hold currency in euros or withdraw from ATMs with minimal ATM fees.

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The best bet is to use an ATM/Cashpoint to obtain Euros from your home bank account, or use a non-fee credit card where possible. To read more about fees associated with exchanging currency, using credit cards, etc. take a look at this extensive information posted on the Flyerguide wiki.

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Lisbon Taxis: Payment Methods Although your taxi driver will likely accept payment via debit or credit card, this is not a rule. Hence, you should always carry some euros with you, as many taxis aren't equipped with a POS machine. In that case, bank card payments are out of the question.

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Resist the urge to buy foreign currency before your trip. Some tourists feel like they just have to have euros or British pounds in their pockets when they step off the airplane, but they pay the price in bad stateside exchange rates. Wait until you arrive to withdraw money.

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All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget. A vacation to Portugal for one week usually costs around €954 for one person. So, a trip to Portugal for two people costs around €1,908 for one week.

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Foreign transaction fees are charged by your bank for currency conversion. If your bank charges foreign transaction fees — and many do — you'll pay a percentage of the total withdrawal amount, usually 1% to 3%, for using your card at a foreign ATM (or anywhere else abroad).

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It's generally safe and healthy to drink the public tap water across Portugal. Get a water filter such as TAPP 2 to improve the taste and reduce the risk of contaminants. Avoid plastic bottled water in Portugal as most plastic doesn't get properly recycled. Get a high quality reusable water bottle like TAPP.

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Taxi drivers can be tipped by any amount you wish, although some people round the fare up to the nearest five euro (ie. your fare comes to 7 euro, you may wish to pay the driver 10 euro). This is particularly true in Lisboa, the capital. Some people add 10% of the fare as the tip.

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Dinner Time in Portugal (7 p.m. to 10 p.m.) The best time to have dinner in Portugal is between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. While some restaurants will open at 7 p.m., most of them will still be empty at that time. There are a few exceptions of course, especially if it's a famous restaurant like Cervejaria Ramiro.

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