How to send money to Portugal in 2026: euros in 10 seconds from the EU and moving savings before you relocate
An account in Portugal is opened before you move, with a tax number, and in 2026 a euro transfer within the EU arrives in 10 seconds with a check of the recipient's name. Your own money is not taxed, and interest is taxed at 28%. Below: moving savings for a visa, a large sum and paying for a flat.
In short
- An account is opened with a passport and a tax number, even before you move.
- A euro transfer from the EU arrives in 10 seconds, from other countries in 1-3 business days.
- Interest is taxed at 28%, and a gift from outside the close family is subject to 10% stamp duty.
- An account at each bank is insured by the fund for $120,000 (€100,000).
In detail
You can send money to Portugal in 2026 even before you move: with a Portuguese tax number a non-resident opens a euro account, and a transfer from the EU reaches it in 10 seconds, from other countries in 1-3 business days. Your own money is not taxed, and the consulate will ask for a Portuguese bank statement showing your savings for the visa for financially independent people.
| Method | In 2026 | Received in | Amount limit | Timing | What you need |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bank transfer in euros from an EU country | works | euros | not limited by law | up to 10 seconds by instant transfer | the 25-character account number and the name as the bank holds it |
| Bank transfer from a non-EU country | works | euros, or the payment currency with exchange | not limited by law | 1-3 business days | the payment purpose and a document on the origin of a large sum |
| Transfer to a Portuguese bank card | works | euros | card limits | same as a bank transfer | the card number |
| Money transfer service without an account | partly, depending on the sending country | euros | set by the service | from minutes to a day | the recipient's passport |
The table data was checked on 8 October 2026; dollars are calculated at the European Central Bank rate on 7 October - 1.1177 dollars per euro, rounded up to a round sum.
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The Portuguese tax number: where the account and any transfer begin
A Portuguese bank opens an account for a foreigner with a passport and a tax number, and the number is issued by the Portuguese tax authority - in person or through a representative, before you move.
- Representative. A non-resident from a non-EU country used to need a tax representative in Portugal, but since 2022 Decree-Law 44/2022 allows electronic notifications instead. EU residents do not need a representative.
- The bank will ask for proof of address, the tax number of your country of residence for the tax information exchange form and a document on where the money for the first transfer comes from.
- Identity check - at a branch or by video if the bank allows it; after that the account is opened in one visit or call.
A Portuguese account number has 25 characters: two country letters, two check digits and 21 digits. If you do not have a tax number yet, a specialist will arrange it before your move and suggest the route for the first transfer.
Transferring savings for the visa for financially independent people
For the visa for financially independent people, consulates ask for a Portuguese bank statement showing the balance, so the account is opened and the savings transferred before you apply for the visa.
A convenient order is: tax number, account, a small test transfer, then the main sum in one payment with the purpose stated as a transfer of own funds. Take the statement after the money is credited, and attach the documents on the origin of the money to the transfer straight away. Other grounds for living in the country are in how to get residency in Portugal.
Interest, gifts and taxes on money in Portugal
Transferring your own money is not taxed, deposit interest is taxed at 28%, and a cash gift from someone outside the close family is subject to 10% stamp duty.
| Incoming money or income | Tax in 2026 |
|---|---|
| Your own money to your own account | not taxed |
| A gift from a spouse, parents or children | not taxed |
| A gift from someone outside the close family | 10% stamp duty |
| Deposit interest and dividends | 28%, withheld by the bank; 35% for residents of countries on Portugal's list of preferential tax regimes |
You become a tax resident by spending more than 183 days in Portugal within any 12 months or by keeping a home there as your permanent one. Portugal exchanges tax information on accounts with your country of residence. The rates are on the taxes in Portugal page, and the residence rules in Portugal tax residency.
Documents for a Portuguese bank by transfer amount
Portuguese law does not limit the amount of a transfer, and the bank matches the set of documents to the size of the payment.
The set by amount in 2026:
| Amount | What matters to the bank | How to prove it |
|---|---|---|
| Up to $10,000 | the name and purpose match | the payment purpose |
| $10,000-$120,000 | the source of the money and the purpose in Portugal | a statement, an income certificate, a contract |
| From $120,000 (€100,000) | the origin of the whole sum | a contract for the sale of property, a tax return, inheritance documents |
The Deposit Guarantee Fund insures up to $120,000 (€100,000) per depositor at each bank, and large sums are kept at several banks. If the sum is large or comes from selling a flat, ask a manager about the transfer terms; all legal routes for moving capital are on the capital relocation page, and the papers for a big transfer in sending a large sum abroad.
A flat in Portugal: payment by transfer and the taxes on the deal
A foreigner buys a home in Portugal without a permit for the deal and without a residence permit, with a tax number and payment by transfer through a bank.
- Taxes on purchase: property transfer tax on a scale and stamp duty of 0.8% of the price.
- Residence permit: homes were removed from the investor programme after the 2023-2026 reforms, and investments in funds remain - see Portugal residence permit by investment.
Example: for a flat at $280,000 (€250,000) the money goes to your own Portuguese account in one payment with the contract as the purpose; stamp duty is $2,300 (€2,000) on top of the price, and the transfer tax is calculated separately on the scale. In detail in buying a flat in Portugal and on the property in Portugal page.
How money leaves Portugal for other countries
Portugal has no currency control: money can be sent from the account to any country, with the payment purpose stated.
To euro countries within the EU the money goes by instant transfer, and a statement from the Portuguese account helps explain its origin to the bank in the next country.
Sending money to neighbouring countries
- Spain - the foreigner number first
- France - an account, a home and studies
- Greece - a tax number by video call
- Cyprus - the bank expects a link to the island
- Gibraltar - pounds to a 23-character account
- Brazil - a 0.38% tax on exchange
All legal routes for moving capital are on the capital relocation page.
FAQ
Can I open an account in Portugal before I move?
Do I need a tax representative to get a Portuguese tax number?
How many characters are in a Portuguese account number?
What tax is charged on deposit interest in Portugal?
Is a cash gift taxed in Portugal?
What stamp duty applies when buying a flat in Portugal?
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We will choose a transfer method for your amount and country, prepare the documents on the origin of the money for the bank, make the transfer through licensed partners and follow it until the money is credited. Ask your question in the chat - the manager will suggest the best terms and the cost. The legal side with banks and government bodies is handled by Murblz specialists and locally licensed partners.
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