frequent questions
glossary
What is a basic bank account?
Access to the credit intermediary activity
List of authorised credit intermediaries
How to protect yourself from online fraud?
Know your rights when making payments in Europe.
Do you know what the gross domestic product is? What about inflation? (only in Portuguese)
Key tips to protect yourself when choosing online or mobile banking services.
When using banknotes and coins, bank customers should be aware that:
Counterfeit banknotes or coins are worthless and cannot be exchanged. When you receive cash, you should check its security features.
If in doubt, compare it with a banknote or coin you know is genuine. If you suspect that a banknote or coin is counterfeit, do not accept it and inform the competent authorities (local police authorities, credit institutions or the Banco de Portugal).
All you need to do is to feel, look and tilt the banknote to check its security features.
Learn more about the security features of banknotes on Banco de Portugal’s website.
All you need to do is to feel, look and check the magnetic properties of the coin to detect its security features.
Learn more about the security features of coins on Banco de Portugal’s website.
If you are not sure whether the banknote or coin is genuine, don’t accept it. Remember that fake/counterfeit banknotes and coins are worthless, which means that if you accept one you will receive no compensation.
Politely ask for another banknote or coin and assume the person is innocent. Explain that they may be in possession of a suspicious banknote or coin and suggest that they take it immediately to the local police, a local bank or the Banco de Portugal. In any case, never put yourself at risk.
Inform the local police or your security officer about the incident immediately.
Try to remember as much as you can about the person that tried to give you the suspect banknote or coin.
If you think you have accepted a counterfeit banknote or coin by mistake, don’t use it. Putting a counterfeit banknote or coin in circulation is a criminal offence. Give the suspect note or coin to the local police, a local bank or the Banco de Portugal. If it is genuine you will get your money back.
Contact the Banco de Portugal for more information.
Damaged or deteriorated banknotes and coins may not be accepted.
Deteriorated banknotes are banknotes that have changed over time or through normal use. Damaged banknotes are banknotes that have been physically damaged in some way.
It is possible to exchange euro banknotes and coins at the Banco de Portugal’s cash offices free of charge.
The Banco de Portugal replaces deteriorated or damaged euro banknotes for banknotes of equal value, fit for circulation, where:
A neutralised banknote is a banknote damaged by anti-theft devices, such as those installed in automatic teller machines or boxes to transport valuables. These banknotes should not be accepted. If you are in possession of a neutralised banknote, you should go to the Criminal Police (Polícia Judiciária), the Banco de Portugal or a credit institution.
The Banco de Portugal reimburses or replaces euro coins that have become unfit for circulation where:
The Banco de Portugal may refuse to reimburse coins that are unfit for circulation which have been altered either deliberately or by a process that could be reasonably expected to have the effect of altering them, notwithstanding reimbursement of coins collected for charitable purposes, such as ‘fountain coins’. If analysing the coin presented gives rise to doubts over whether it is genuine, it should be withdrawn and submitted for analysis under the terms defined by the Banco de Portugal.
Site do Banco de Portugal – Como detetar uma contrafação nas notas de euro
Site do Banco de Portugal – Como detetar uma contrafação nas moedas de euro
Site do Banco de Portugal – Notas e moedas > Notas > Troca de notas
Site do Banco de Portugal - Notas e moedas > Moedas correntes > Troca de moedas
BdP Podcast: Tem notas estragadas? Podemos ajudá-lo.
BdP Podcast: Contrafação – Saiba como o Banco de Portugal combate a fraude com notas e moedas
Numerário - o que é
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