Learn about the Portuguese financial system, the latest news and trends in Portuguese finance, and the best banks in Portugal.
From historic banks to modern financial services, Portugal’s financial sector offers diverse options for locals and expats. Whether you’re interested in opening an account, investing, or simply curious about the financial landscape, our guide covers you.
Keep reading to know the key players, popular banking products, and essential tips for navigating the financial terrain in Portugal. Let’s get in!
The Finance System in Portugal
The financial system in Portugal is a vital component of the country’s economy, ensuring the efficient allocation of funds, investments, and economic stability. It comprises banks, insurance companies, stock exchanges, and regulatory bodies. The primary regulator overseeing the financial system in Portugal is the Bank of Portugal (Banco de Portugal). This institution functions as the central bank and is responsible for maintaining monetary stability, managing the money supply, and supervising the banking sector.
The Portuguese Securities Market Commission (Comissão do Mercado de Valores Mobiliários or CMVM) oversees and regulates the securities and capital markets. It plays a crucial role in ensuring the fairness, transparency, and integrity of these markets.
The Insurance and Pension Funds Supervisory Authority (Autoridade de Supervisão de Seguros e Fundos de Pensões or ASF) is responsible for regulating insurance and pension funds in Portugal. They ensure that insurance companies and pension funds operate in a manner that safeguards the interests of policyholders and pension plan participants.
Moreover, Portugal is part of the European Union, and its financial system adheres to EU regulations and standards, contributing to financial stability and integration across the region.
The Banking System in Portugal
Portugal’s banking system has embraced modern banking practices, offering its customers a wide array of services. Online and mobile banking have become prevalent, enhancing the efficiency of transactions and banking operations. Furthermore, Portugal has seen significant investments in fintech startups, promoting innovation and competition within the industry.
Banking in Portugal is closely regulated to ensure the safety of deposits and maintain financial stability. The Bank of Portugal (Banco de Portugal) is the country’s central Bank and primary regulatory authority for the banking sector. It oversees the financial institutions’ compliance with prudential and consumer protection regulations. The European Central Bank (ECB) plays a role in supervising larger banks through the Single Supervisory Mechanism (SSM), contributing to harmonizing banking standards across the Eurozone.
Types of Banks in Portugal
There are different types of banks in Portugal, catering to various financial needs of its residents and businesses:
Commercial Banks
Commercial banks in Portugal are the most common and widely recognized financial institutions. They provide various services to individuals and businesses, including savings accounts, checking accounts, loans, mortgages, and investment products. Commercial banks are crucial in facilitating day-to-day financial transactions, managing deposits, and granting credit to support economic activities.
Retail Banks
Retail banks primarily serve individual consumers. They offer essential financial services such as savings and checking accounts, personal loans, credit cards, and online banking options. Retail banks focus on meeting the everyday banking needs of individuals, making them an essential part of the financial landscape in Portugal.
Corporate Banks
Corporate banks, also known as business or commercial banking units, specialize in serving the financial needs of businesses ranging from small enterprises to large corporations. These banks provide services like business loans, trade financing, treasury management, and cash management solutions. They play a critical role in supporting the growth and operations of Portugal’s businesses.
Investment Banks
Investment banks in Portugal focus on capital markets, offering services related to securities, mergers and acquisitions, underwriting, and financial advisory. They assist companies in raising capital by issuing stocks and bonds and provide strategic advice for complex financial transactions. Investment banks contribute significantly to the country’s capital market development.
Savings Banks (Caixas Económicas)
Savings banks, or “Caixas Económicas,” are financial institutions emphasizing savings and local community development. They often operate as nonprofit organizations and focus on promoting financial inclusion and offering affordable banking services to underserved populations. Savings banks typically provide savings accounts, small loans, and financial education programs.
Cooperative Banks (Caixas de Crédito Agrícola Mútuo)
Cooperative banks, known as “Caixas de Crédito Agrícola Mútuo,” are member-owned financial institutions that serve agricultural and rural communities in Portugal. They offer a wide range of banking and financial services tailored to the needs of local farmers and residents. Cooperative banks often provide loans for agriculture, housing, and small businesses.
Online Banks
Online banks have gained popularity in Portugal due to their convenience and cost-effective services. These banks operate exclusively through digital platforms, allowing customers to conduct their banking activities online or via mobile apps. Online banks offer a variety of financial products, including savings accounts, payment services, and low-cost loans.
Foreign Banks
Portugal also hosts several foreign banks that operate within the country. These banks provide services to both individuals and businesses, often catering to the needs of expatriates and international companies. Foreign banks contribute to the diversification of the banking sector and bring global expertise to the Portuguese financial market.
Central Bank (Banco de Portugal)
The Banco de Portugal serves as the nation’s central Bank and is responsible for maintaining monetary stability, regulating financial institutions, and ensuring the financial system’s stability. It also supervises and monitors the banking sector, ensuring banks comply with regulations and prudential requirements.
Common Banking Accounts in Portugal:
In Portugal, several common banking accounts are tailored to different needs. The most widespread ones include:
Current Accounts (Conta à Ordem): These are versatile accounts suitable for daily transactions, such as paying bills, making purchases, and receiving your salary. They often come with debit cards and online banking services for easy access to your money.
Savings Accounts (Conta Poupança): Savings accounts in Portugal help you grow your money over time by earning interest. They are ideal for setting aside funds for future goals, emergencies or watching your savings grow.
Fixed-Term Deposits (Depósitos a Prazo): These accounts lock in your money for a fixed period, typically offering higher interest rates than regular savings accounts. They are a safe way to invest your savings with predictable returns.
Opening a Bank Account in Portugal:
Opening a bank account in Portugal is a straightforward process:
Choose a Bank: Select a bank that suits your needs. Millennium BCP, Caixa Geral de Depósitos, and Novo Banco are popular options.
Visit the Bank: Go to your chosen bank branch in person. Take with you:
- Valid identification (passport or ID card).
- Proof of address (utility bill or rental agreement).
- Fiscal number (Número de Identificação Fiscal or NIF) obtained from the Portuguese tax authorities.
Speak to a Bank Officer: Explain your intention to open an account. The bank officer will guide you through the necessary paperwork and account options.
Complete the Application: Fill out the required forms and provide the requested documents.
Initial Deposit: Some accounts may require an initial deposit, so be prepared to make this payment.
Receive Your Account Details: Once your account is set up, you’ll receive your account details, which you can use for transactions, online banking, and accessing your funds.
Responsibilities of Banco de Portugal
Monetary Policy
The Bank of Portugal, as the country’s central Bank, has a primary responsibility for formulating and implementing monetary policy. It aims to maintain price stability, which is crucial for a healthy economy. Portugal’s inflation rate continues to fall, reflecting the Bank’s successful efforts to keep inflation under control.
Financial Stability
Ensuring the financial system’s stability is another critical role of the Bank of Portugal. This involves monitoring and supervising banks and other financial institutions to prevent systemic risks. Total assets rose 8.0% year-on-year, driven by increases in cash and cash claims on central banks (74.7%) and loans to customers (4.1%), underscoring the significance of the Bank’s supervisory role.
Banking Regulation and Supervision
The Bank of Portugal regulates and supervises financial institutions to ensure their soundness and compliance with relevant laws and regulations. It sets prudential standards, conducts stress tests, and assesses capital adequacy. The Bank conducts stress tests, revealing that the Portuguese banking sector has adequate capital buffers to withstand adverse economic scenarios.
Currency Issuance
The Bank of Portugal is responsible for issuing and regulating the circulation of the euro currency within the country. More than 29 billion euro banknotes are in circulation, with a total value of more than €1.5 trillion.
Financial Markets
The Bank of Portugal actively participates in financial markets to implement its monetary policy objectives. It conducts open market operations and manages the foreign exchange reserves. These operations are instrumental in influencing interest rates and ensuring the proper functioning of financial markets.
Payment Systems
The Bank of Portugal oversees the payment systems in the country, ensuring the smooth and secure transfer of funds. With the increasing adoption of digital payments, the Bank plays a crucial role in maintaining the efficiency and integrity of payment systems.
Economic Research and Analysis
The Bank of Portugal conducts extensive economic research and analysis to make informed policy decisions. It publishes economic forecasts, reports, and studies. In 2020, Portugal’s GDP contracted by approximately 7.6% due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Bank’s research helped guide policy responses.
International Cooperation
The Bank of Portugal collaborates with international organizations and central banks to foster financial stability and economic growth. It is an integral part of the Eurosystem and contributes to formulating the European Central Bank’s monetary policy.
Consumer Protection
In addition to its macroeconomic responsibilities, the Bank of Portugal also focuses on protecting consumers in the financial sector. It ensures that financial institutions treat customers fairly and transparently, promoting trust in the banking system.
Crisis Management
The Bank of Portugal is crucial in crisis management, especially during financial crises. It takes measures to stabilize troubled financial institutions and prevent contagion effects. The global financial crisis of 2008 showcased the importance of central banks in crisis resolution.
