How much spending money do I need for Portugal?

Euros are the only currency accepted across mainland Portugal, Madeira and the Azores. So it’s a good idea to sort your euros before you travel or know how to get them when you arrive.

You’ll find that most hotels, restaurants and larger shops in Portugal accept card payments without any issues. That said, cash is still widely used – and in some situations it’s essential:

Like in the UK, it makes sense to use your card for hotels, larger restaurants and supermarkets, and keep some euros in cash for day-to-day spending and anywhere that doesn’t take cards.

ATMs (called Multibanco in Portugal) are widely available in cities and resorts, and most accept UK bank cards. Be aware that some ATMs offer to convert the amount you’re withdrawing to its equivalent value in pounds. This is called dynamic currency conversion, and almost always gives you a less favourable exchange rate on the amount of cash you withdraw. Choose to be charged in euros and let your own bank handle the conversion instead.

Portugal is noticeably more affordable than the UK for most spending. Eating out, drinks, public transport and entrance fees are all considerably cheaper than you’d expect to pay at home, which is one of the reasons it’s such a popular choice for Brits.

That said, costs vary quite a bit depending on where you are and how you travel. Lisbon and the Algarve’s tourist resorts are the priciest parts of the country. Smaller cities like Braga, Évora and the interior regions are cheaper.

If you’re hiring a car, fuel costs will always vary over time, but you’ll find they’re generally higher in Portugal than most of mainland Europe. To find out more, see our guide - A guide to fuel costs in Europe.

Prices tend to be lower away from the main tourist areas. A café on a back street in a neighbourhood in Lisbon will be cheaper than one on the waterfront, and a family restaurant a few streets from the beach will cost less than a resort terrace.

Your daily budget will depend on how you travel, but here are some rough costs for UK travellers, covering food, drinks, local transport and activities - not including accommodation.

For a family of four on a mid-range budget, it’s reasonable to plan for €200-€250 per day in spending money once accommodation is covered.

For adults on a week’s holiday with some flexibility built in, allow €600-€800 per person in spending money (depending on how much you eat out and the activities you choose).

Food is one of Portugal’s main attractions, and its excellent value for money. Eating out regularly is more affordable than the UK, especially if you eat where locals eat rather than on touristy terraces.

The ‘prato do dia’ - or menu of the day - is one of the best ways to eat well on a budget. Most local restaurants offer a set lunch that might include soup, a main course, pudding or coffee, and sometimes a drink, for a fixed price. These can be a bargain by UK standards and are a common way for working Portuguese people to eat lunch.

Portugal’s café culture is excellent and extremely affordable. A ‘bica’ (espresso) typically costs under €1 in a local café, and a ‘pastel de nata’ (custard tart) around €1.20-€1.80. Starting each morning at a local café rather than with a hotel breakfast can save a noticeable amount over a week.

Wine in Portugal is cheaper than the UK, and can be excellent. A glass in a bar typically costs €1.50-€3.50, and supermarket bottles start from €3-€5. Beer is similarly affordable with many different local brands available.

Many Portuguese restaurants will serve bread, olives, butter or cured meats on the table when you sit down. These aren’t free - they’re charged as ‘couvert’ on your bill. If you don’t want them, it’s perfectly fine to decline them or ask the staff to take them away before eating anything.

Bonus tip: use our Multi-currency Cash Passport card for all your spending. Using a travel money card can help you avoid foreign transaction fees that some bank cards may charge, which may help reduce overall spending while travelling.

Whether it’s a pint in Prague or patisserie in Paris, get a feel for how far your travel money might go with our foreign currency guides.

Buy your currency easily online. Or pick up in-store when you’re doing the weekly shop.

To learn more about taking cash abroad, take a look at our guide - Why you still need travel money abroad.

Exchange rates may vary during the day. Rates will vary whether you're buying in-store, online or over the phone. They'll also vary depending on whether you're buying cash or a prepaid currency card.

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