MB WAY in Portugal: How It Works and How to Set It Up

If you live in Portugal, sooner or later someone will say: "Manda por MB WAY" — "just send it by MB WAY." It's how Portuguese people split dinner bills, pay the cleaner, buy concert tickets, pay a small shop that doesn't take cards, and even withdraw cash without a card.

This guide explains what MB WAY is, how to set it up, how to use it, and the scams to watch out for.

Key takeaways:

• MB WAY is Portugal's mobile payment app, run by SIBS (the company behind the Multibanco network).
• It links your phone number to a card from a Portuguese bank (or another participating bank).
• You can send and request money by phone number, pay online and in shops, create MB NET virtual cards, and withdraw cash at Multibanco ATMs without your card.
• Most banks don't charge for personal transfers up to certain limits — check your bank's price list.
• Never share your MB WAY PIN or approve a request you don't recognise — MB WAY scams are common.

What is MB WAY?

MB WAY is a payment service created by SIBS, the company that operates Portugal's Multibanco ATM and payment network. It works through:

• the MB WAY app (iOS and Android), and
• integrations inside most Portuguese banking apps.

Instead of typing an IBAN, you send money to someone's mobile number. The transfer usually arrives in seconds, because MB WAY uses instant transfers between Portuguese banks.

What you need to use MB WAY

• A smartphone with a phone number (a Portuguese +351 number is the norm and works most smoothly).
• A debit or credit card issued by a bank that participates in MB WAY — this covers practically all Portuguese banks (Caixa Geral de Depósitos, Millennium bcp, Santander, Novo Banco, BPI, Montepio, Crédito Agrícola, ActivoBank, Banco CTT, and others).
• Access to a Multibanco ATM or your bank's app or online banking to complete activation.

How to set up MB WAY step by step

There are two common routes. Which one you use depends on your bank.

Option 1: Through your bank's app (easiest)

1. Open your Portuguese banking app.
2. Look for "MB WAY" in the menu (often under Payments, Transfers or Cards).
3. Choose the card you want to link.
4. Confirm your phone number and create a 6-digit MB WAY PIN.
5. Confirm with your bank's authentication method (SMS code or app approval).

Option 2: Through the MB WAY app and a Multibanco ATM

1. Download the MB WAY app and register with your phone number, email and a PIN.
2. Go to any Multibanco ATM and insert your card.
3. Choose "MB WAY" → "Aderir" (Join).
4. Enter your phone number and the PIN you created.
5. Return to the app — your card will now appear and is ready to use.

Tip: you can add more than one card to your MB WAY account and choose a default card for payments and transfers.

How to send money with MB WAY

1. Open the app and tap "Enviar dinheiro" (Send money).
2. Pick a contact from your phonebook or enter a number.
3. Enter the amount and an optional message.
4. Confirm with your PIN (or fingerprint/Face ID).

The recipient sees the money almost immediately. If the recipient doesn't have MB WAY, they receive an SMS and have a limited time to join and claim it; otherwise the money returns to you.

How to request money and split bills

• Pedir dinheiro (Request money): send a payment request to a contact, who approves it in their app.
• Dividir conta (Split the bill): enter the total and choose who was there — MB WAY sends each person a request for their share.

Very handy for flat-share bills, group dinners or kids' school trips.

Paying in shops and online

In shops

• Many small businesses accept MB WAY payments to their number — just send the amount they tell you.
• Many terminals accept contactless payments through MB WAY on Android (via NFC), and on iPhone you'll usually add your Portuguese card to Apple Pay instead.
• Some shops display a QR code you can scan with the app.

Online

• Choose MB WAY at checkout (common on Portuguese websites, from supermarkets to train tickets and government services).
• Enter your phone number.
• Approve the payment in the app within the time limit (usually about 4–5 minutes).

You'll also find MB WAY as a payment option on most Portuguese online shops and on many public service websites.

For car hire and hotel deposits you will usually need a credit card as well — see credit cards in Portugal.

MB NET virtual cards

MB WAY can generate MB NET virtual cards — temporary card numbers you can use for online shopping, with a limit and validity you choose. They're useful for:

• shopping on websites you don't fully trust;
• subscriptions you want to control;
• avoiding exposing your real card number.

Some cards are single-use; others can be used several times until they hit the limit or expire.

Withdrawing cash without a card

Forgot your wallet? With MB WAY you can:

1. Choose "Levantar dinheiro" (Withdraw money) in the app.
2. Enter the amount — you get a temporary code.
3. At a Multibanco ATM, select MB WAY and enter the code.

You can even generate a withdrawal code and send it to someone you trust.

Limits and fees

Limits and fees are set partly by SIBS and partly by your bank, so they vary. As a general guide:

• There are per-transaction, daily and monthly limits for transfers; you can usually adjust them within your bank's maximums in the app settings.
• Payments to merchants are normally free for the payer.
• Personal transfers are free at many banks up to a monthly threshold (number of transfers or total amount), after which a small fee may apply. Since 2021, Portuguese law caps and regulates fees on these app transfers.

Always check your bank's current preçário (price list) for exact limits and charges.

Can foreigners use MB WAY?

Yes — nationality doesn't matter. What matters is the card. You'll generally need a card from a Portuguese bank (or one of the few foreign banks that have joined MB WAY). Many digital banks and international cards are not supported.

If you've just arrived:

1. Get a NIF.
2. Open a Portuguese bank account (most banks require a NIF, ID/passport and proof of address).
3. Get a Portuguese mobile number.
4. Activate MB WAY as described above.

MB WAY scams and safety tips

MB WAY scams are among the most reported frauds in Portugal. The most common pattern: someone selling or "buying" an item online (OLX, Facebook Marketplace) convinces you to go to an ATM and "activate MB WAY" with their phone number. That links your card to the scammer's phone, letting them drain your account.

Stay safe:

• Never follow instructions from a stranger at an ATM.
• You never need MB WAY to receive money. If a buyer says you must "activate" anything to get paid, it's a scam.
• Never share your PIN or SMS codes — not even with someone claiming to be from your bank, SIBS or the police.
• Read every payment request before approving it. "Pedido de dinheiro" means you will pay.
• Set low limits if you only use MB WAY occasionally.
• If something goes wrong, call your bank immediately to block the card, and report it to the police (PSP/GNR).

Information is current as of November 2026. App menus and bank fees change — check the MB WAY app and your bank's price list for the latest details.