ATMs in Portugal: Locations, limits, fees and tips

There were 13,700 ATMs in Portugal in 2025 – most are located in big cities and tourist areas, and it’s rarely a problem to find them there. However, every machine is different. Some charge you nothing, others add 3-5 EUR to the final costs of the withdrawal. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about the ATMs in Portugal.

What to choose: Multibanco vs Euronet

Multibank is a national network that charges little to no fees for cash withdrawals, while Euronet is a private network of machines that usually add a fee of 3-5 EUR.

Multibanco network

The Multibanco network, managed by SIBS, connects over 27 local banks and spans more than 12,000 machines in 2026. It’s the gold standard for both locals and tourists because Multibanco network machines generally don’t have an ATM operator surcharge on foreign cards. To spot the Multibanco ATM, look for a small white and blue "MB" logo.

Note on ATM Express: You might also spot "ATM Express" machines inside shops. These are also managed by SIBS, accepting 12 major card brands, making them a safe alternative.

Euronet ATM

Euronet ATMs are independent, bright blue and yellow machines strategically placed in high-traffic tourist zones. They are infamous for charging a steep ATM fee (often 3 EUR to 5 EUR or more) and offering poor conversion rates.

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How to find ATMs in Portugal

The most obvious way is to use Google Maps, but it’s not always reliable, so look for physical bank branches and use ATM locators instead:

• Physical bank branches: Legitimate Multibanco network machines are housed directly inside or outside major local banks. Search your map for trusted names like Caixa Geral de Depósitos (CGD), Millennium BCP, Novo Banco, Santander Portugal, or Banco BPI.
• Official network locators: Pop open the official Visa Global ATM Locator or Mastercard locator tools to find verified machines.
• ATM Fee Saver app: Available on both iOS and Android,  this handy app maps out fee-free and low-fee options, displays the exact withdrawal limit for different machines, and calculates your upfront costs.

How to avoid ATM fees

To save on a withdrawal, choose the Multibanco network machines, track your bank limits and don’t let ATMs charge you in your home currency. Unfortunately, not only do ATM owners want a share of your money, but your home bank does, too. Here are four main ATM fee types you may face in 2026:

1. Out-of-Network fee: A flat charge (typically 2–5 EUR, but may be different) applied by your card issuer for using an overseas machine.

2. Foreign transaction fee: A percentage-based fee (usually 1% to 3%, but may differ) tacked onto the total amount of your cash withdrawal.

3. ATM operator surcharge: The local flat fee for using the physical machine. As mentioned, the local Multibanco network won't charge you this, but independent operators will.

4. Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC): The machine will recognise your foreign card and ask if you want to be billed in your home currency (like USD or GBP) or the native euro currency. If you accept the machine's offer to bill you in your home currency, the ATM applies its own poor exchange rate. This hides the massive costs of up to 13% extra on a single transaction.

Avoid DCC

To lock in the fairest, official exchange rate, you must always choose to be charged in the euro (as it’s the local currency). Select options like "Decline Conversion" or "Without Conversion". Be incredibly vigilant: Portuguese ATMs will often prompt you about this currency conversion twice, using slightly different, intentionally confusing wording. You must say "No" or reject the conversion on both prompts to force the machine to use your home bank’s fair interbank rate.

Always double-check fees on the ATM screen and your banking app.

ATMs around the world:

• In Europe: conversions, avoiding fees and more.
• In the UK: locations, tips, and fees.
• In Ireland: Fees, locations, and tips.

What are the Portuguese ATM limits

There’s no universal cash withdrawal limit, as it depends on a machine, your bank, and your card terms – but usually you can get up to 200-500 EUR per day (as of 2026, subject to change).

• Local Multibanco limits: Some machines have a withdrawal limit of 200 EUR per single operation, as of June 2026. Furthermore, there may be a daily withdrawal limit of 400 EUR per day, per card on the network.
• Your home bank limits: Your specific card issuer sets your personal daily withdrawal limit (e.g., 300 EUR). Whichever limit is lower is the one that will ultimately bind you.

Make sure to check the limits in your banking app before the withdrawal, as every card issuer sets its own rules.

If your home bank charges a flat out-of-network fee per transaction, maximise your efficiency by withdrawing the maximum at once. This minimises the number of times you have to pay that flat fee. If you need a huge sum of cash for something like an apartment rental deposit, plan ahead by withdrawing 400 EUR over consecutive days or travelling with multiple debit cards.

Which cards work best

Visa and Mastercard are universally accepted across all local shops, caffes, tourist spots, and every ATM in Portugal. American Express, however, is far less common and is typically only accepted at high-end restaurants or large international hotel chains.

• Physical cards: While contactless payments (like Apple Pay and Google Pay) are king for everyday purchases at supermarkets and petrol stations, you'll still need your physical card for ATMs. There are some cardless machines that support NFC, but the majority work only when you insert the card in it.
• PIN codes: Portuguese machines standardly utilise a 4-digit PIN. If a machine unexpectedly prompts you for a 6-digit PIN, don’t panic. Simply type in your standard 4-digit code and press the 'Enter' (Entrar) button to process your transaction normally. If not, try adding zeros at the end of a PIN code or search for another machine.

Tips for using ATMs in Portugal

First of all, don’t use the high-fee Euronet machines sitting in the airport arrivals halls. Walk past them and search for fee-free Multibanco machines somewhere in the terminal or in a city. Here are more tips for you:

• Stick to inside branches: For maximum security against physical card skimming devices, try to use machines located safely inside bank lobbies.
• Swallowed cards: Be aware that if a machine accidentally swallows your card, the bank tellers inside the branch cannot open it to retrieve it for you. Since the network is independently managed by SIBS, you will have to contact the bank that issued the card to freeze it and use a backup.
• Watch out for after-hours glitches: Some travellers report occasional system glitches where foreign cards are randomly declined after 5:00 PM. If your card fails in the evening, don't panic, simply try again during normal morning business hours.
• Cash is still essential: Even though digital payments are incredibly widespread, you should always keep 50–100 EUR on hand. You will absolutely need physical cash for traditional open-air markets (Mercados Municipais), small local cafes (tascas), rural countryside villages, small purchases under 10 EUR, and tipping your guides.
• Skip the exchange booths: Currency exchange booths at airports and tourist plazas offer some of the worst rates imaginable alongside massive commissions. Skip them entirely and pull your money straight from a trusted ATM instead.

FAQ – ATMs in Portugal