Multibanco

Published 6 November 2026, 09:07

Portugal's shared interbank network, not a bank: cash machines, card terminals in shops and a system for paying by reference. It is run by SIBS, and almost all Portuguese banks belong to it, so one bank's card works in another bank's cash machines. "Multibanco details" means three items — entidade, referência and valor — which you use to pay taxes, fines, bills and government fees.

Where you come across it. Withdrawing cash, paying a tax or a fine using the three-part payment details, setting up a direct debit for utility bills, paying for online purchases.

"Multibanco" is not the name of a bank, so it is not an answer to "Which bank is your account with?". Euronet's orange cash machines are not part of the Multibanco network: the machine shows you its own surcharge on screen, and a combined debit and credit card is processed as credit there, so your bank charges you as it would for a cash advance. On the Multibanco network, withdrawals with a Portuguese debit card are free, and you can pay by reference not only at a cash machine but also in your bank's app.

Guides

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