What Are the Best Credit Cards in Portugal? (2026)
Updated August 2026. The best free credit cards are Unibanco Clássico, WiZink Flex, and ActivoBank Classic. For cashback, Universo+ and Cetelem Black Plus lead. Most Portuguese credit cards are revolving cards with TAEG around 16% to 19%. Approval requires a local IBAN, address, income, and a CRC credit check.
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How Do Portuguese Credit Cards Compare?
Portuguese credit cards are mostly revolving cards. Free cards such as Unibanco Clássico, WiZink Flex, and ActivoBank Classic charge no annual fee. Cashback cards such as Universo+, Cetelem Black Plus, and Banco CTT Credit Card reward spending at supermarkets, restaurants, or partner networks. Premium cards such as Millennium TAP Platinum charge high annual fees but include travel perks.
What Are the Best Credit Cards?
Our top credit cards are based on annual fee, APR, cashback, and approval accessibility from the August 2026 catalogue.
Banco ActivoBank, S.A. (grupo Millennium BCP)
Cartão de Crédito Classic ActivoBank
No availability fee, in every year
- Eligibility
- Portuguese IBAN required
- Support
- English support is limited
Card(1)
- Cartão de Crédito Classic ActivoBankEUR 0
Visa revolving_credit / annual fee · No availability fee, in every year
Prices as of August 2026, verify on the provider site.
More details
- Annual fee
- EUR 0
- APR
APR
The yearly cost of carrying a balance, interest plus fees (TAEG). It only bites if you do not repay in full, and it compounds fast.
- TAEG 17,9% (TAN 17,400%)
- Network
Network
The card scheme that moves the payment: Visa, Mastercard, or American Express. It decides where the card is accepted, not who issues it.
- Visa
- Local IBAN
- Required
- FX fee
FX fee
What the issuer adds when you pay in a currency other than euro. Typically 1.75% to 2%, so 0% is a real saving abroad.
- n/a
- Cashback
- Activo+ points club; cashback promos up to 10% at restaurants; NOS cinema 2-for-1 tickets; Pestana hotel discounts
- English support
- Yes
- Min age
- 18 years
- Min income
- n/a
- Credit check
Credit check
Whether the issuer queries the CRC, the Banco de Portugal credit register, before approving you. A check can fail on a thin Portuguese record, however solid your finances are.
- CRC Banco de Portugal
- Time to card
- up to about 7 days by post
Best for ActivoBank customers who want a free revolving card
Universo, IME, S.A. (Grupo Sonae)
Cartão Universo+
5% on Continente and Meu Super purchases, in end-of-month mode
- Eligibility
- Portuguese IBAN required
Card(1)
- Cartão Universo+EUR 0
Mastercard revolving_credit / annual fee · 5% on Continente and Meu Super purchases, in end-of-month mode
Prices as of August 2026, verify on the provider site.
More details
- Annual fee
- EUR 0
- APR
APR
The yearly cost of carrying a balance, interest plus fees (TAEG). It only bites if you do not repay in full, and it compounds fast.
- TAEG 18,5% (TAN 18,00%)
- Network
Network
The card scheme that moves the payment: Visa, Mastercard, or American Express. It decides where the card is accepted, not who issues it.
- Mastercard
- Local IBAN
- Required
- FX fee
FX fee
What the issuer adds when you pay in a currency other than euro. Typically 1.75% to 2%, so 0% is a real saving abroad.
- n/a
- Cashback
- In Fim do Mês mode: 5% in Cartão Continente balance at Continente/Meu Super/Wells/ZU and 1% everywhere else (1.5% on first EUR 250, 0.5% above EUR 750 per statement); Cartão Continente promotions and vouchers
- English support
- No
- Min age
- 18 years
- Min income
- n/a
- Credit check
Credit check
Whether the issuer queries the CRC, the Banco de Portugal credit register, before approving you. A check can fail on a thin Portuguese record, however solid your finances are.
- CRC Banco de Portugal
- Time to card
- about 5-10 business days
Best for Supermarket and fuel cashback hunters
BNP Paribas Personal Finance, S.A. – Sucursal em Portugal (Cetelem)
Cetelem Black Plus
3% em supermercados, restaurantes, gasolineiras, TVDE e streaming
- Eligibility
- Portuguese IBAN required
Card(1)
- Cetelem Black PlusEUR 0
Mastercard revolving_credit / annual fee · 3% em supermercados, restaurantes, gasolineiras, TVDE e streaming
Prices as of August 2026, verify on the provider site.
More details
- Annual fee
- EUR 0
- APR
APR
The yearly cost of carrying a balance, interest plus fees (TAEG). It only bites if you do not repay in full, and it compounds fast.
- TAEG ~19,0%
- Network
Network
The card scheme that moves the payment: Visa, Mastercard, or American Express. It decides where the card is accepted, not who issues it.
- Mastercard
- Local IBAN
- Required
- FX fee
FX fee
What the issuer adds when you pay in a currency other than euro. Typically 1.75% to 2%, so 0% is a real saving abroad.
- n/a
- Cashback
- 3% cashback in six chosen categories (supermarkets, restaurants, fuel, EV charging, TVDE, streaming); EUR 50 joining voucher (promo 16 Jun–30 Sep 2026, min EUR 300 spend in 45 days)
- English support
- No
- Min age
- 18 years
- Min income
- n/a
- Credit check
Credit check
Whether the issuer queries the CRC, the Banco de Portugal credit register, before approving you. A check can fail on a thin Portuguese record, however solid your finances are.
- CRC Banco de Portugal
- Time to card
- about 5-10 business days
Best for High cashback on everyday spend
WiZink Bank, S.A. – Sucursal em Portugal
WiZink Flex
No availability fee in any year
- Eligibility
- Portuguese IBAN required
Card(1)
- WiZink FlexEUR 0
Visa revolving_credit / annual fee · No availability fee in any year
Prices as of August 2026, verify on the provider site.
More details
- Annual fee
- EUR 0
- APR
APR
The yearly cost of carrying a balance, interest plus fees (TAEG). It only bites if you do not repay in full, and it compounds fast.
- TAEG ~19,0% (desde)
- Network
Network
The card scheme that moves the payment: Visa, Mastercard, or American Express. It decides where the card is accepted, not who issues it.
- Visa
- Local IBAN
- Required
- FX fee
FX fee
What the issuer adds when you pay in a currency other than euro. Typically 1.75% to 2%, so 0% is a real saving abroad.
- n/a
- Cashback
- None on Flex (rewards sit on the WiZink Rewards sibling)
- English support
- No
- Min age
- 18 years
- Min income
- n/a
- Credit check
Credit check
Whether the issuer queries the CRC, the Banco de Portugal credit register, before approving you. A check can fail on a thin Portuguese record, however solid your finances are.
- CRC Banco de Portugal
- Time to card
- about 5-10 business days
Best for Standalone free card without changing bank
Unicre
Cartão Unibanco Clássico
No availability fee, in year 1 or any year after
- Eligibility
- Portuguese IBAN required
Card(1)
- Cartão Unibanco ClássicoEUR 0
Visa revolving_credit / annual fee · No availability fee, in year 1 or any year after
Prices as of August 2026, verify on the provider site.
More details
- Annual fee
- EUR 0
- APR
APR
The yearly cost of carrying a balance, interest plus fees (TAEG). It only bites if you do not repay in full, and it compounds fast.
- TAEG 18,9% (TAN 18,400%)
- Network
Network
The card scheme that moves the payment: Visa, Mastercard, or American Express. It decides where the card is accepted, not who issues it.
- Visa
- Local IBAN
- Required
- FX fee
FX fee
What the issuer adds when you pay in a currency other than euro. Typically 1.75% to 2%, so 0% is a real saving abroad.
- an international fee per the Unicre price list
- Cashback
- Cashback tiers up to EUR 200 in the first 12 months (EUR 5/10/20 per month bands by monthly spend); Trividir 3x 0% instalments
- English support
- No
- Min age
- 18 years
- Min income
- n/a
- Credit check
Credit check
Whether the issuer queries the CRC, the Banco de Portugal credit register, before approving you. A check can fail on a thin Portuguese record, however solid your finances are.
- CRC Banco de Portugal
- Time to card
- about 5-10 business days
Best for Free classic card with no bank switch
Banco CTT, with credit through its partner BNP Paribas
Cartão de Crédito Banco CTT
No annual fee and no availability fee
- Eligibility
- Portuguese IBAN required
Card(1)
- Cartão de Crédito Banco CTTEUR 0
Mastercard revolving_credit / annual fee · No annual fee and no availability fee
Prices as of August 2026, verify on the provider site.
More details
- Annual fee
- EUR 0
- APR
APR
The yearly cost of carrying a balance, interest plus fees (TAEG). It only bites if you do not repay in full, and it compounds fast.
- TAEG 18,9% (TAN 15,11%)
- Network
Network
The card scheme that moves the payment: Visa, Mastercard, or American Express. It decides where the card is accepted, not who issues it.
- Mastercard
- Local IBAN
- Required
- FX fee
FX fee
What the issuer adds when you pay in a currency other than euro. Typically 1.75% to 2%, so 0% is a real saving abroad.
- n/a
- Cashback
- 2% cashback on supermarkets, restaurants, mobility apps, food delivery and CTT stores
- English support
- No
- Min age
- 18 years
- Min income
- n/a
- Credit check
Credit check
Whether the issuer queries the CRC, the Banco de Portugal credit register, before approving you. A check can fail on a thin Portuguese record, however solid your finances are.
- CRC Banco de Portugal
- Time to card
- about 7-10 business days
Best for CTT customers and online applicants
Banco BPI, S.A. (emissor: CaixaBank Payments & Consumer)
Cartão BPI Now
No availability fee in any year
- Eligibility
- Portuguese IBAN required
Card(1)
- Cartão BPI NowEUR 0
Visa revolving_credit / annual fee · No availability fee in any year
Prices as of August 2026, verify on the provider site.
More details
- Annual fee
- EUR 0
- APR
APR
The yearly cost of carrying a balance, interest plus fees (TAEG). It only bites if you do not repay in full, and it compounds fast.
- TAEG 18,5% (TAN 15,06%)
- Network
Network
The card scheme that moves the payment: Visa, Mastercard, or American Express. It decides where the card is accepted, not who issues it.
- Visa
- Local IBAN
- Required
- FX fee
FX fee
What the issuer adds when you pay in a currency other than euro. Typically 1.75% to 2%, so 0% is a real saving abroad.
- n/a
- Cashback
- Nenhum
- English support
- No
- Min age
- 18 years
- Min income
- n/a
- Credit check
Credit check
Whether the issuer queries the CRC, the Banco de Portugal credit register, before approving you. A check can fail on a thin Portuguese record, however solid your finances are.
- CRC Banco de Portugal
- Time to card
- n/a
Best for Bpi customers wanting digital onboarding
How Do Credit Cards Work in Portugal?
Most cards offer 20 to 50 interest-free days if you repay the full balance. If you pay in instalments, TAEG interest applies, capped quarterly by Banco de Portugal at around 19% in mid-2026. Cash withdrawals and transfers usually start accruing interest immediately and carry fees.
How We Compared These Cards
We ranked the cards using the catalogue data in this repo: annual fee, APR, cashback or rewards, FX fees, network acceptance, English support, and approval requirements such as local IBAN, address, income and CRC check. We update the catalogue whenever issuers change fees or terms.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best free credit card in Portugal?
Unibanco Clássico, WiZink Flex, and ActivoBank Classic are the strongest free options, depending on whether you already bank with ActivoBank.
Do I need a Portuguese bank account for a credit card?
Most local cards require a Portuguese IBAN for direct debit. Some direct issuers like WiZink accept IBANs from other Portuguese banks.
What is the CRC check?
CRC is the Central de Responsabilidades de Crédito at Banco de Portugal. Card issuers check it to assess your repayment history and existing debt.
Can I get a Portuguese credit card as a newcomer?
It is harder without a CRC history and local income. Start with a debit card or a fintech card, then apply after a few months of local banking.
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