Should I bring Euros to Portugal?

Please be sure to have the correct currency on hand or be prepared to exchange your dollars for Euros upon arrival. In our culture we can put everything on credit and debit cards, however, in Europe you will find it useful to always keep a little cash on hand.



Yes, you should definitely have Euros when traveling to Portugal, as it is the official currency. While Portugal is highly modernized and credit/debit cards (specifically Visa and Mastercard) are accepted in most hotels, shops, and restaurants in major cities like Lisbon and Porto, cash is still essential for smaller purchases. You will likely need Euros for items like a coffee at a local "pastelaria," small souvenirs at street markets, or tips for tour guides and hotel staff. In 2026, it is a peer-to-peer best practice to carry about €50 to €100 in small denominations (€5, €10, and coins) for initial convenience. For the best exchange rates, it is generally recommended to withdraw Euros from a local bank ATM (Multibanco) using a debit card rather than using airport currency exchange desks. When using a card, always choose to pay in the local currency (Euros) rather than your home currency to avoid the poor exchange rates associated with "Dynamic Currency Conversion."

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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.

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?? Tip #2: Carry at least $20 worth of cash while traveling in Portugal. You'll rarely need cash in Portugal, especially if you're staying in Lisbon and Porto. During my 1-week trip, I spent roughly $20 in cash on tipping tour guides, buying small souvenirs and paying for the Airbnb city tax.

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Yes, if you live frugally, you should be able to live on $1000 a month in Portugal. However, it may not be possible if you live in Lisbon as costs are increasing, and rental costs are now quite high. If you want to live comfortably in the country, we would recommend €1,200.

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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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And when you are traveling, a visit to any place is not complete without the shopping; more so when you are in Portugal. It is said that one of the budget-friendly places to shop in the whole of Europe is in Portugal.

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While credit cards are accepted in most situations, currency can be more convenient for public transportation and small vendors. It's also wise to carry an emergency fund with enough cash for a few days, just in case your card gets lost or stolen.

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But if you pay in euros, you'll get a rotten exchange rate. Ideally, if you're in a non-euro country for more than a few hours, head to the ATM and use local currency instead. Use your credit card to get cash only in emergencies.

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So, a trip to Portugal for two people costs around €1,908 for one week. A trip for two weeks for two people costs €3,817 in Portugal. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared.

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This is so entirely dependent on your own travel preferences that it's tough to estimate but we recommend putting aside roughly €700 to €1700 for spending money for one week in Europe.

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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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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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Currency exchange shops and kiosks in airports are not the best places to exchange money. For the best rates, try a local bank or a bank ATM to make your currency exchanges. Check to see if your U.S. bank offers foreign ATM fee refunds for using a foreign ATM. Not all currency exchanges charge the same rate.

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While most places in Lisbon will take your card, there are still many places that operate on a cash-only basis.

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If you are single, you can get by comfortably with €1,200 a month in Porto or Lisbon, and even less in Portugal's smaller towns. With a higher income, you can live anywhere in Portugal with €3,000 a month, participate in various activities, go on weekend trips, and much more.

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