How to Pay Using the Multibanco System in Portugal

22 Sept

Multibanco is one of the most used and trusted payment methods in Portugal. It allows you to pay bills, fines, taxes, purchases, or other services using either ATMs, online banking, or sometimes via mobile banking. Here’s how to do it step by step.

How to Pay Using the Multibanco System in Portugal

What you’ll typically need

Entity number (Entidade / Entidad): identifies the institution/government body to which you’re making the payment.
Reference number (Referencia / Referência): a unique payment reference, specific to your fine/tax or service.
Amount to pay.
Access to a Portuguese bank account (online banking) or physical access to a Multibanco ATM.
Sometimes a deadline to make the payment once reference is generated.

Payment methods

You can usually pay via Multibanco in one of two main ways:

At a Multibanco ATM
Via Home Banking / Online Banking (or mobile banking app)

Step‑by‑step: Paying at an ATM

Go to any Multibanco ATM.
Insert your card and enter your PIN to access the menu (or use the options without card if the ATM allows “Payment / Pagamentos” or “Outros Serviços / Outros Serviços / Payment Services”).
Select “Pagamentos / Payment Services”. Sometimes also labelled as “Pagamento de Serviços / Pagamento de Contas” (payment of services / bills).
Choose “Entidades / Enter Entity” or “pagamentos a entidades”. Enter the entity number provided on your bill or fine.
Enter the reference number.
Enter the amount to be paid.
Confirm and get the receipt. The ATM will typically issue a proof of payment (“talão / comprovativo”) which you should keep until you see the payment has been processed.

Step‑by‑step: Paying via Online / Home Banking

Log in to your bank account (online or via mobile app).
Find the section for Payments → Payment of Services / Bills / Payments to Entities.
Enter the entity number.
Enter the reference number.
Enter the amount.
Confirm the payment. Most banks will send a confirmation message or email, or show a confirmation screen. Save or screenshot it.

Key points / tips

There is usually a deadline within which you must make the payment after receiving the reference. If not paid in time, the reference may expire and you may have to get a new one.
Keep the proof of payment until you verify that the institution (tax office, municipality, etc.) has registered your payment.
Make sure you copy correctly the entity and reference numbers – mistakes may cause the payment to not be applied correctly.
If you’re outside Portugal, or without a Portuguese bank account, Multibanco may not work. Sometimes international bank transfers or other payment options are required.
Payments via Multibanco are secure; they are between your bank and the institution, so there is little risk.