Portugal travel money tips
Heading to Portugal? Here's a quick rundown of how to handle money on the ground — tipping etiquette, when to use cards versus cash, the best ATMs to use, and the most common pitfalls travelers run into. The local currency is the Euro (EUR, €).
Tipping
5–10% in restaurants, round up taxis. Service is rarely included.
Cards vs cash
Cards work in most cities and tourist towns, but small cafés and rural restaurants prefer cash.
Payment methods accepted
ATMs & cash tip
'Multibanco' (MB) ATMs are fee-free with most foreign cards. Avoid Euronet machines.
Heads-up
- Bread, olives, and starters placed on your table aren't free — ask for them to be removed if you don't want to pay.
- Watch for pickpockets on Lisbon's tram 28 and around Bairro Alto at night.
About the Euro (EUR)
The Euro (EUR, symbol €) is the official currency of Portugal. Knowing the live EUR rate against your home currency helps you sanity-check menu prices, taxi fares, and souvenir markups while traveling.
More travel tips
See all country tips →Tips are general guidance for travelers, not legal or financial advice. Customs vary — confirm with local sources for important plans.