Never Cash-Strapped in Portugal: Apps That Lead You to Multibanco

A clutch of portable tools now lets you pinpoint an ATM in Portugal almost as fast as you can say caixa multibanco. For expats who still need cash for the corner café, weekend fairs or a landlord who prefers notes, knowing which app works where — and what it costs — can save both time and euros. Revolut’s global locator, the all-Portuguese MB WAY system, and even humble Google Maps now compete with niche newcomers such as ATM Fee Saver. Below we unpack how each option performs on Portuguese soil, why rural gaps persist, and how to pull money without a plastic card when you have no other choice.

Cash culture isn’t dead — it just moved to your phone

Pay-wave cards and contactless wristbands may dominate Lisbon metros, yet the Bank of Portugal still counts physical notes as the most frequently used payment instrument. Nationwide, more than 12 500 ATMs — universally branded Multibanco — feed that habit. The number crept up slightly in 2023, but studies flagged that 41% of local parishes now lack any cash outlet at all, mostly in the interior. When branches shutter, the distance to the nearest machine can stretch beyond 10 km, turning what was once a five-minute stroll into a half-day errand. That uneven geography makes smartphone locators less of a convenience and more of a survival kit for newcomers outside the big cities.

The apps that do the heavy lifting

Modern banking apps treat ATM maps like just another layer on top of ride-hailing or food-delivery pins. Their quality differs dramatically, though, and foreigners should know where each excels.

Revolut: global reach, straightforward interface

Open the Home tab, tap search, and a dedicated ATM button reveals a live map sorted by distance. Because Revolut partners directly with Visa, Mastercard and regional networks, the database updates reliably across Europe. For digital nomads hopping from Porto to Prague, it is often the first — and last — tool they need. Revolut does not filter by fees, so you still have to eyeball on-screen charges before withdrawing.

MB WAY: Portugal-only, but deeply integrated

Developed by SIBS, operator of the entire Multibanco grid, MB WAY covers virtually every ATM from the Algarve to the Minho. Inside the app, hit Mais and then Encontrar um Multibanco for an instant snapshot of nearby machines. Because it taps the same backend that powers the terminals, accuracy is excellent. The downside is geography: cross the border into Spain and the pins disappear. Still, for daily life inside Portugal MB WAY is the gold standard — and the app doubles as a digital wallet for supermarket checkouts and card-free withdrawals (see below).

Google Maps: the universal fallback

Type “ATM” in the search bar and the familiar red icons pop up along with opening hours and user ratings. That crowdsourced layer helps in tourist hubs where private machines may add hefty surcharges. Banks sometimes flag their own branches differently on Maps, so you can quickly see whether a machine sits inside a closed foyer or on a 24-hour wall.

ATM Fee Saver: squeezing pennies for frequent travellers

This 2025-era newcomer targets backpackers and overseas retirees who obsess over withdrawal costs. It compares foreign-card fees, daily limits and currency conversion margins across 160 countries, Portugal included. If you hold a U.S. or U.K. debit card, the colour-coded list points to the cheapest dispenser within walking distance. An in-app calculator even estimates what you’ll pay before you step outside. The catch: data rely on community input, so rural Portuguese entries may lag mainstream cities.

Going plastic-free: withdrawing with a code instead of a card

If you left your wallet on the kitchen counter or simply don’t feel safe waving a foreign card at 2 a.m., MB WAY offers a lifeline. Generate a 10-digit code in the app, valid for 30 minutes, stroll to any Multibanco, hit the green key and enter the number. Out comes your cash, up to €200 per operation or €400 each day. Because the code is shareable, parents can text it to visiting teens or landlords can request rent in person without bank transfers. Confusingly, the same app uses QR codes for store payments but not for ATM withdrawals, so tourists should not waste time scanning the screen — just key in the numbers.

Mind the fees — and the rural gaps

Ordinary Multibanco machines generally do not levy access charges for domestic Portuguese or euro-zone cards. But private operators inside souvenir shops or petrol stations can slap on €4–€7 per withdrawal, especially in coastal resorts. Revolut’s locator does not highlight that difference, whereas Google’s review section often reveals it. In the hinterland, the bigger problem is scarcity. A 2024 central-bank survey found 30 parishes more than 10 km from the closest cash point, and ride services to reach one can outstrip the €20 you meant to withdraw. Keeping an eye on the app map before you leave the house — and stashing small notes for worst-case scenarios — remains wise.

Practical tips for foreign residents

• Sync at least two locator apps so you have a backup if networks go down.

• Remember that locals say “Multibanco”, not ATM, when giving directions.

• If you hold a non-euro card, withdrawing larger sums less frequently trims percentage-based fees.

• For cardless withdrawals, test MB WAY in daylight first; the process is quick, but unfamiliar menus can be stressful when people queue behind you.

• In villages, ask at the junta de freguesia office or a post branch; some host mini-ATMs inside even when none appears on global maps.

The bottom line

Portugal still offers one of Europe’s densest ATM networks, yet the convenience is uneven. By pairing Revolut for cross-border coverage with MB WAY for local precision and cardless emergency access, most expatriates can avoid the dreaded no-cash moment. Add Google Maps for fee scouting and ATM Fee Saver if you juggle multiple currencies, and you will rarely be caught short, whether you are heading to a São João street party in Porto or a remote beach in Alentejo.