This post includes affiliate links. If you sign up through them, I may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tools I use myself or trust enough to share with friends visiting Portugal.
Portugal might feel like a dream trip (and honestly, it is), but paying for things while you’re here can turn into a headache if you’re not prepared.
ATM fees, bad exchange rates, credit card limits, random hold charges at hotels—these little things add up fast. And they can leave you with way less spending money than you planned.
I’ve been using Wise (formerly TransferWise) for a few years now—not just while traveling, but even living here. And if you’re visiting Portugal, it’s one of the smartest things you can set up before you land.
Why Most Tourists Overpay Without Realizing It
Here’s the thing: when you use a regular debit or credit card abroad, your bank usually does a few annoying things:
- Charges you a foreign transaction fee (often 2–3% on every purchase)
- Converts your money at a terrible exchange rate
- Slaps on an ATM fee if you try to get cash
So even if your bank doesn’t shout about it, you’re losing a little money every time you tap or swipe.
How Wise Solves That
Wise gives you a local bank account in euros—even if you live outside Europe. You can load it with your home currency and convert it at real exchange rates (no hidden markup).
It works like this:
- Set up your Wise account online (it’s quick)
- Add money from your home bank account
- Convert it to euros at way better rates than your bank would
- Use your Wise debit card like a local—online, in shops, or at ATMs
What I Use It For in Portugal
I use Wise for almost everything:
- Paying for train tickets online
- Splitting restaurant bills with friends
- Booking hotels or Airbnbs
- Taking out cash without fees from Multibanco ATMs
- Topping up my metro card in Lisbon or Porto
It’s also super useful for buying things in markets or cafés that only take cash—because you can pull out just what you need, without getting hit with fees.
Why It’s Perfect for Tourists
Even if you’re only here for a week, Wise still makes sense. Here’s why:
- You’ll get a better rate than your credit card almost every time
- You avoid all the “extra” charges your home bank adds
- It works in multiple countries—so if Portugal’s just your first stop, even better
- It’s contactless (perfect for trams, metro, shops)
Extra Travel Tip
Pair it with a good VPN (especially when using public Wi-Fi to check your balance or transfer funds).
🔗 This is the VPN I use—lightweight and reliable.
Final Thoughts
Wise is one of those tools that just makes travel smoother. No stress, no math at the checkout, no checking your bank statement and wondering what went wrong.
If you want to spend more time sipping wine and less time dealing with ATM fees, it’s worth setting up before you go.
Sign up for Wise here—it only takes a few minutes
And if you’ve got questions about how it works, feel free to drop them in the comments. Happy to help however I can.