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MB WAY and Multibanco: how Portugal pays online

Accept Portugal's two leading local payment methods: MB WAY for instant app payments and Multibanco references for pay-later bank payments.

Refunds: YesPayouts: Depends on setupRecurring: Depends on setup
Add MB WAY & Multibanco

At a glance

Countries
Portugal
Type
Mobile bank payment app and bank payment reference
Operator
SIBS, Portugal's interbank network
MB WAY users
About 6.5 million (July 2025)
Multibanco reference validity
Typically up to 7 days
Settlement
Instant confirmation for MB WAY; Multibanco confirms when the customer pays

How customers pay

  1. MB WAY: the customer picks MB WAY and enters their mobile number.
  2. They get a notification in the MB WAY or banking app and approve with a PIN or biometrics.
  3. Multibanco: the checkout shows an entity number, reference and amount.
  4. The customer pays the reference in online banking, a banking app or at any Multibanco ATM, and you are notified.

If you sell to Portugal, MB WAY and Multibanco are not optional extras. Together they account for the large majority of Portuguese online payments, and many shoppers expect to see at least one of them at checkout.

MB WAY: instant and mobile-first

MB WAY is SIBS’s payment app, linked to the customer’s existing bank account and backed by almost every Portuguese bank. At checkout the customer types only their phone number and approves the payment in the app. There is no card number to enter and no redirect to online banking, which makes it very fast on mobile.

Multibanco: pay when you’re ready

A Multibanco reference is a deferred payment. You generate a reference for the order, and the customer pays it through their banking app, online banking or an ATM. It’s popular for higher-value purchases and with customers who prefer not to use cards online.

Tips for Portugal

  • Show MB WAY first on mobile. Pre-fill the phone number if you already have it.
  • Offer Multibanco as well for customers who want to pay later or through an ATM.
  • Pick an expiry that suits your business. Short for limited stock, longer for services.
  • Send the reference by email so the customer can find it again.
  • Handle unpaid references. Release stock and send a reminder before the reference expires.

For iGaming operators

Both methods are widely used with operators licensed in Portugal. MB WAY’s instant confirmation suits deposits, while Multibanco’s delay makes it less suitable for in-play betting. Check the rules for your licence before you enable them.