Complete Beginner’s Guide to Using MBway in Portugal: Phone Number Dilemmas, eSIM Solutions & Must-Know Tips for Expats

My Portugal Banking Wake-Up Call: Why MBway Became Non-Negotiable

When I first moved to Lisbon, I made a classic expat mistake: I assumed my foreign phone number and international banking apps would suffice. Then I tried splitting a dinner bill with Portuguese colleagues who whipped out MBway while I fumbled with cash. That’s when I realized – understanding MBway isn’t just convenient, it’s essential for financial survival in Portugal. Through trial, error, and countless conversations with fellow expats, I’ve cracked the code on this payment phenomenon.

What Exactly Is MBway & Why Should Expats Care?

Think of MBway as Portugal’s financial Swiss Army knife – it combines:

• Instant peer-to-peer payments (like Venmo)
• Contactless mobile payments (like Apple Pay)
• QR code payments at festivals/markets
• ATM cash withdrawals without your card
• Bill splitting with emoji reactions (seriously!)

During my first month in Porto, I used MBway to:

• Pay rent to my landlord who refused international transfers
• Buy tickets at a cash-only music festival via QR code
• Split a €14.83 tab at a tiny tasca that didn’t accept cards

The Great Phone Number Debate: My Expat Dilemma Solved

Myth vs. Reality: Do You Really Need a Portuguese Number?

Bank tellers will insist you need a +351 number. After testing with three major banks, here’s the truth:

I successfully registered MBway with my French number at Millennium BCP, but encountered limitations:

• 50% of merchants required SMS verification that never arrived internationally
• Couldn’t activate certain security features
• Constant warnings about “unsupported configuration”

The eSIM Game-Changer: How I Solved the Dual-Number Problem

After 6 months of carrying two phones like some 90s drug dealer, I discovered the magic of eSIMs. Here’s my current setup on iPhone 15:

• Primary eSIM: Portuguese Vodafone number (€10/month)
• Secondary eSIM: My original French number
• Physical SIM: Backup UK number (for legacy accounts)

This allowed me to:

1. Keep all numbers active on one device
2. Use MBway seamlessly with my PT number
3. Receive 2FA codes from all countries

Step-by-Step: Setting Up MBway as an Expat

Phase 1: The Foundation

1. Get a Portuguese NIF (tax number) – non-negotiable first step
2. Open a local bank account at Millennium BCP or BPI (most foreigner-friendly)
3. Choose your phone strategy:
   – PT number only (simplest but cuts off home contacts)
   – Dual SIM/eSIM (my recommendation)
   – International number only (possible but limited)

Phase 2: App Installation

I made these critical mistakes during setup – don’t repeat them:

• Mistake #1: Downloading MBway from non-PT App Store
  Fix: Create Portuguese Apple ID for correct version
• Mistake #2: Trying to link account before bank activation
  Fix: Wait 72 hours after account approval
• Mistake #3: Ignoring SMS filtering
  Fix: Disable any spam blockers during verification

The Hidden Costs Nobody Tells You

While MBway itself is free, I encountered these unexpected expenses:

• Bank fees: €2/month for account maintenance at Millennium BCP
• eSIM costs: €10-15/month for basic PT number + data
• ATM charges: €2 per MBway cash withdrawal at non-network ATMs

Total first-year setup cost: ≈ €240 (still cheaper than international transfer fees!)

Security Essentials: How I Avoided Getting Scammed

After my neighbor lost €800 to an MBway phishing attack, I became hyper-vigilant. Red flags I now recognize:

• Unsolicited payment requests from “friends”
• Fake marketplace buyers asking for MBway payments
• “Bank security” texts containing links

My ironclad rules:

1. Never share the 6-digit PIN code
2. Verify requests via secondary channel (call or WhatsApp voice)
3. Enable biometric authentication in app settings

When MBway Isn’t Worth It: Surprisingly Honest Advice

For all its benefits, MBway isn’t perfect. Situations where I still use Apple Pay/Revolut:

• International online purchases (MBway often blocked)
• High-value transactions (€500+ daily limit)
• Contactless payments (Apple Pay is genuinely faster)

As expat Sarah from the forums noted: “At cafés, I tap my watch with Apple Pay before MBway users even open their apps.”

My Life-Changing Setup: Single Phone, Multiple Numbers

After years of juggling devices, here’s my perfected system:

• Primary Phone: iPhone 15 Pro (eSIM capable)
• Active Lines: PT Vodafone (eSIM), French Orange (eSIM)
• Dormant Numbers: UK SIM in old iPhone SE for 2FA codes
• WhatsApp Trick: Use PT number for primary account, forward calls from others via SIM toolbox app

This costs me €27/month versus €45 when maintaining multiple phones.

The Verdict: Is MBway Essential for Portugal Expats?

After 18 months of daily use, my conclusion breaks down like this:

• Short-term visitors: Probably not worth the hassle
• Digital nomads (6+ months): Recommended for certain situations
• Full residents: Absolutely mandatory

As I write this from a Lisbon tram, I just MBway’d €1.50 for my ticket while my tourist companion struggled with exact change. That’s the Portugal expat experience in microcosm – MBway won’t just save you money, it’ll save your sanity.

Final pro tip: Get your Portuguese number through MEO’s eSIM app before arrival. It took me 11 minutes while waiting for baggage at Lisbon Airport – best decision I made.