Getting cash from Euronet’s ATMs can be expensive

You can eat lunch in a restaurant with the staff from the bank next door and pay with your credit card. If you come back for dinner the same day at the same place – don’t be surprised if the owner says Not Possible – not working when you hand over the same credit card to pay. Don’t be surprised if a bar don’t accept cards even though the door shows a list of VISA, Mastercard and similar logos. And many of the small local tascas has a sign ‘Nao temos multibanco’ (we don’t accept cards).

Like in a lot of other countries is a huge black economy in the restaurant business which is why they only accept cash. BUT the problem is also the transaction costs that most Portuguese either can’t or won’t pay. 

So you will need cash when you travel in Portugal…

If a restaurant won’t accept credit cards don’t panic. There is always an ATM close by. Just be careful:  Getting cash from the ATMs can be an expensive affair. Especially from the ones from Euronet.