Keeping a stash of cash at home or carrying a large sum while traveling isn’t illegal in Portugal — but there are important rules about how much you can pay in cash, and how much you must declare when crossing borders.

Crossing Borders: The €10,000 Rule

If you’re entering or leaving the European Union (including Portugal) with €10,000 or more in cash — or the equivalent in other currencies or cash-like instruments such as travelers’ cheques — you must declare it to customs. This applies no matter how you travel: by plane, train, car, or even on foot.

The same rule applies if the money is sent by courier or mail. In those cases, the sender or recipient must file the declaration within 30 days. Customs officers are allowed to inspect luggage, vehicles, or parcels, and can temporarily hold undeclared cash while they investigate — usually for up to 30 days, extendable to 90 if needed.

Carrying Cash Inside Portugal

There’s no legal limit on how much cash you can carry when moving around inside Portugal. You could walk down the street with €50 or €50,000 in your bag and not break any law. However, if police suspect the money is linked to illegal activity, they can seize it and investigate, regardless of the amount.

Cash Payment Limits

The bigger restrictions apply to spending cash, not holding it.

• Residents of Portugal can’t pay or receive €3,000 or more in cash in a single transaction — even if the payment is split into smaller instalments.
• Non-residents have a higher threshold of €10,000 in cash.
• For certain business-to-business transactions, the cash limit can be as low as €1,000, and tax payments in cash are capped at €500.

If a payment exceeds these limits, it must be made by traceable means — such as bank transfer, cheque, or direct debit. Violating the rules can lead to fines ranging from €180 to €4,500.

Keeping Cash at Home

There’s no law against storing any amount of cash at home. But, as in most countries, if you suddenly deposit or spend a large sum, banks or tax authorities might ask for proof of where it came from. That’s why it’s wise to keep receipts, withdrawal slips, or other documentation.

US Tax Consultants – Portugal