Prices in Portugal are considered medium-to-low among European Union countries, though they remain at a relatively high level compared to China. After immigrating to Portugal, clients are often very concerned about local prices and daily consumption habits. Below, our editors have compiled information regarding currency and consumption in Portugal for your reference:
Currency and Withdrawals:
Regarding currency exchange, immigration experts suggest that you exchange some Euros in your home country before traveling. Exchange rates at Portuguese airports are never very favorable, whereas exchange points in city centers often allow for negotiation to obtain better rates and waive service fees. Large cities have major institutions like Western Union, but banks that accept Chinese Yuan are rare.
UnionPay POS Usage: Merchants displaying the "UnionPay" logo on stands, business card holders, or signs accept UnionPay cards. Cardholders should proactively present their UnionPay card and ask the cashier if it can be used. Merchants are mainly located in the capital, Lisbon, such as local watch and jewelry chains like Boutique dos Relogios and David Rosas. Accepted card types include any bank card with the UnionPay logo, including UnionPay debit and credit cards. Since credit cards have certain spending limits, for large purchases such as luxury goods, it is recommended to use a UnionPay debit card, as debit card spending is only limited by the account balance.
Related Fees: When using a UnionPay card at a merchant, the cardholder does not need to pay any service fees. Choosing the UnionPay network for consumption avoids the 1%-2% currency conversion fee charged by other bank card networks. The local currency amount spent is directly converted into Chinese Yuan at the market exchange rate and is promptly debited from the cardholder's Yuan account by the issuing bank.
ATM Withdrawal Usage: Currently, all ATMs in Portugal accept UnionPay cards for Euro withdrawals, though balance inquiry functions are not yet supported. UnionPay cards cannot be used for bank counter transfers or cash withdrawals abroad. Accepted card types include any bank card with the UnionPay logo, including dual-currency cards. Since credit card withdrawals incur overdraft interest, immigration experts recommend that cardholders use UnionPay debit cards for overseas withdrawals. How to identify ATMs that accept UnionPay: In addition to the scrolling UnionPay logo on the screen, any ATM with the "Multibanco" logo above it can accept UnionPay cards. Operating Interface: All ATMs have a unified interface supporting English, French, German, Spanish, and Portuguese. Portuguese ATM withdrawal screen and steps: Select Language -> Enter PIN -> Enter Amount -> Remove Card -> Collect Cash -> Take Receipt.
Fees and Withdrawal Limits: In Portugal, each ATM withdrawal cannot exceed 200 Euros. National authorities also stipulate that the cumulative daily withdrawal limit for a single UnionPay debit card is the equivalent of 10,000 RMB in foreign currency; please consult your issuing bank for the daily withdrawal limit for UnionPay credit cards. Issuing banks will charge a certain service fee for overseas withdrawals, and ATM withdrawal fees vary depending on the specific UnionPay card product of different issuing banks; please consult your issuing bank's customer service for details. It is highly recommended to use a UnionPay debit card, as the service fee is usually lower than that of a UnionPay credit card. Choosing the UnionPay network for withdrawals avoids the 1%-2% currency conversion fee charged by other bank card networks; UnionPay converts the withdrawn local currency amount into Chinese Yuan, and the bank deducts this from the cardholder's Yuan account accordingly.
Our editors have also compiled information regarding daily consumption:
Prices and Payments:
New immigrants to Portugal need to plan their daily expenses and first understand local prices. For example, regarding food: on average, 1 Euro can buy 1 kilogram of rice, 1 liter of cooking oil, or 1 dozen eggs. Gasoline is 1.60 Euros per liter.
As for restaurant tips, they are not mandatory. Restaurant staff in Portugal earn decent wages, and tips are usually given as a gesture of appreciation for service rather than as a supplement to a meager salary. If you are not satisfied with the service, you do not need to tip. It is worth noting that in Portuguese restaurants, people usually round up the bill when tipping. In high-end restaurants, a tip of just over 3 Euros is sufficient. Immigration experts remind you: there is no custom of tipping taxi drivers or hotel staff in Portugal.