Portugal – Retail and Consumer Issues

What are the typical opening hours for shops in Portugal?

Most shops in Portugal operate Monday to Friday between 09:00 and 19:00, with some smaller establishments still observing a midday break between roughly 13:00 and 15:00. On Saturdays, certain smaller retailers may close at 13:00, though this pattern is considerably less common in larger urban centres. The lunchtime closure tradition is far more likely to be encountered in smaller towns and rural communities than in central Lisbon or Porto.

Supermarkets tend to open between 08:00 and 09:00 and close around 21:00, with some remaining open until 23:00 or midnight — typically either compact inner-city branches or large out-of-town hypermarkets. In smaller settlements, grocery stores may shut closer to 20:00, and village shops might still observe a lunchtime break, though this is not especially widespread.

Shopping centres across Portugal trade every day of the year — with the sole exceptions of 1 January and 25 December — from 10:00 through to 23:00 or midnight. This makes them a dependable fallback on public holidays when many standalone shops remain shuttered. Malls in major cities tend to keep the longest hours; the Colombo Mall in Lisbon, one of the country’s largest, opens from 9 am until midnight every day of the week.

Newcomers will be pleased to learn that supermarkets in Portugal do not generally close on Sundays, meaning a trip to a hypermarket or a grocery run is entirely possible throughout the weekend. This stands in marked contrast to countries such as Germany, where Sunday retail trading is heavily curtailed by law, or France, where supermarket Sunday hours are tightly regulated. On Sundays, the typical pattern sees neighbourhood shops closed, so for non-food shopping your most reliable destination is one of the larger malls.

Supermarkets generally trade from 9 am to 8 pm, though stores in Algarve resort towns may extend their hours during the summer season. Round-the-clock shops are not as prevalent in Portugal as in some other countries, and most retailers — including the majority of supermarkets — keep more restricted schedules outside city centres. It is always worth checking a store’s specific hours before making a dedicated journey.

What forms of payment are typically accepted in Portugal?

Portugal has modernised its payment infrastructure at considerable pace and ranks among Europe’s frontrunners in contactless adoption. By the close of 2024, the number of contactless-enabled cards had reached 25.5 million, with 91% of all cards and 93% of point-of-sale terminals carrying this capability. Contactless transactions grew 24% by volume and 26.9% by value during 2024, accounting for more than half — specifically 56.7% — of all card purchases, predominantly in retail and food service settings.

The vast majority of shops accept cash, major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), and mobile payment methods. Apple Pay, Google Pay, and MB WAY — a homegrown mobile wallet — are all widely supported. MB WAY may be unfamiliar to those arriving from abroad: it is an instant payment service operating through the Multibanco network that enables users to transfer money and make purchases directly from their smartphones. It is fully integrated with numerous e-commerce platforms, allowing real-time, secure transactions.

The Multibanco system itself is another distinctly Portuguese feature worth understanding. As the country’s dominant interbank network, it facilitates direct payments from bank accounts. When buying online, shoppers selecting Multibanco as their payment method receive a unique reference number, which they then use to complete the transaction through online banking, a mobile app, or a physical ATM. This reference-based approach is a standard feature across a wide range of Portuguese e-commerce platforms.

Certain smaller businesses — especially family-run establishments — may only accept cash, so carrying some currency is sensible, particularly outside large cities or for minor purchases. Travellers venturing beyond Lisbon or Porto may encounter areas where card terminals are simply absent. As a practical rule, urban and tourist-heavy locations are reliably card-friendly, while more remote regions may continue to prefer physical money.

International credit cards, including Visa and Mastercard, are accepted at virtually all Portuguese supermarkets. Multibanco ATMs are plentiful throughout the country, and overseas cards are generally compatible with them, though some machines may levy a withdrawal fee — typically in the €2–€5 range; confirm the current charges with your own bank before travelling.

What are the major supermarkets in Portugal, and how do they differ?

Portugal’s grocery market is dominated by two principal chains: Continente and Pingo Doce. Continente, owned by the Portuguese conglomerate Sonae, operates more than 300 outlets across the country. Pingo Doce, part of the Jerónimo Martins Group, runs over 400 stores and has built a reputation for quality — particularly in fresh produce and meat — alongside a popular loyalty scheme that rewards regular customers with discounts.

Continente positions itself as a mid-range to slightly premium domestic retailer, carrying a broad assortment of groceries, household products, electronics, and clothing. Large hypermarket-format stores — known in Portuguese as hipermercado — have established a presence in Portugal; though not numerous, these expansive outlets offer the widest range of both food and non-food merchandise, including clothing, toys, and consumer electronics. Continente also operates a smaller convenience format under the Continente Bom Dia name for neighbourhood shopping.

International discounters Lidl, Aldi, and Auchan have become fixtures in the Portuguese grocery landscape, attracting both locals and expatriates with competitive pricing and diverse product ranges. Lidl and Aldi will feel immediately recognisable to shoppers familiar with their European branches — the rotating weekly non-food “middle aisle” promotions are a feature here just as elsewhere. Auchan, which trades as Jumbo in Portugal, operates larger hypermarket-format stores and is a common anchor tenant at out-of-town retail parks.

Mercadona, the Spanish chain that has steadily expanded into Portugal, takes a no-frills, own-brand-focused approach at keen prices and has cultivated a loyal customer base, particularly in northern regions close to the Spanish border. The market for organic and natural products is also growing; specialist retailers such as Celeiro, Go Natural, and Brio have established stores in several cities to serve this demand.

In the dense central districts of Lisbon and Porto, you will typically find compact supermarkets covering all essential food and drink needs but little else. Moving out towards the suburbs, stores become progressively larger, with hypermarket-style formats generally situated at town peripheries or alongside main arterial roads.

How popular is online shopping in Portugal, and what are the main platforms?

Online grocery shopping has gained considerable traction in Portugal in recent years, with multiple major retailers developing sophisticated digital platforms to meet rising demand. Shoppers can now conveniently purchase everything from fresh produce to household staples without leaving home. Online card purchases grew substantially in 2024 — rising 37.2% in volume and 38.3% in value — representing 18% of the total volume and 21.6% of the aggregate value of all card transactions made in Portugal that year.

The main supermarket chains that have embraced e-commerce include Continente, Pingo Doce, Auchan, Jumbo, and Mercadona. For non-food categories, Fnac’s website covers electronics, books, and cultural goods and fulfils a similar role to Media Markt or Currys in other European markets. El Corte Inglés maintains an online presence in Portugal covering fashion, homewares, and electronics from its Portuguese operations.

For international marketplace shopping, Amazon serves Portuguese customers primarily through its Spanish platform (amazon.es) and, increasingly, through its Portuguese-language storefront. Shoppers should be aware that orders dispatched from non-EU sellers may attract customs duties and VAT on delivery — a particularly relevant consideration for purchases from the UK, US, or Asia following post-Brexit and post-COVID changes to import thresholds. Always confirm whether import costs are included at checkout or will be applied upon arrival of the parcel.

MB WAY is the leading payment method for e-commerce in Portugal, handling approximately 45% of all online transactions. With more than 4.5 million registered users and connections to 28 banks, it is deeply embedded in the digital economy and functions as an essential tool for anyone settling into life in Portugal.

One tangible benefit of online grocery shopping in Portugal is the availability of exclusive digital promotions and discounts, which can make the overall cost meaningfully lower than buying in store. Delivery performance in major cities is generally reliable, with most supermarket chains offering next-day or same-day slots in Lisbon and Porto. Coverage in rural areas can be inconsistent, and certain postcodes — particularly on the islands or in mountainous inland zones — may have limited or no home delivery service, so always verify availability before placing an order.

Are there shops or products in Portugal catering specifically to expats or international tastes?

Portugal’s expanding international community — combined with a long-established tourism sector — means that urban centres, especially Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve, are well stocked with products from around the world. Lisbon in particular has long-standing neighbourhoods with dedicated Asian, African, and South American food retailers, reflecting the country’s deep historical connections with Brazil, Cape Verde, Mozambique, and other Portuguese-speaking nations. Brazilian specialities — including particular cuts of meat, açaí, and specific condiments — are relatively straightforward to find across most major cities.

Asian grocery shops are scattered throughout Lisbon and Porto, offering Japanese, Chinese, Korean, and Southeast Asian staples such as noodles, soy sauces, tofu, and specialist fresh produce. The Martim Moniz neighbourhood in Lisbon is especially well regarded as a centre for South and East Asian food shops, eateries, and street markets. For Middle Eastern ingredients — including tahini, halal meats, dried fruits, and aromatic spices — dedicated halal butchers and Arab grocery stores trade in several districts across both Lisbon and Porto.

El Corte Inglés, the Spanish department store with a substantial presence in Portugal, is open from 10 am to 8 pm. Its Lisbon flagship includes an extensive international food hall carrying European and premium imported goods, making it a favoured destination for expats hunting down specific items. IKEA operates multiple stores in Portugal — in Lisbon, Porto, Braga, and Loures — providing the familiar Scandinavian home furnishings and food range that many newcomers depend upon when setting up a new household.

For those searching for organic, health-focused, or specialist dietary products, chains such as Celeiro, Go Natural, and Brio operate dedicated stores in various cities, stocking gluten-free, vegan, and health food ranges that may be harder to source in standard supermarkets. Online services such as the British Corner Shop and similar specialist retailers also ship internationally branded goods directly to addresses in Portugal for those unable to find particular items locally.

What are your rights as a consumer in Portugal?

Portugal’s consumer legislation is grounded in EU directives and provides robust protections for all residents regardless of nationality. A core principle of EU consumer law holds that the seller from whom you made and paid for a purchase bears responsibility for any defective goods — they are obliged to repair, replace, or refund the product, and it is then their responsibility to pursue any claim against the manufacturer.

For movable goods — physical products — retailers and sellers are liable for any lack of conformity that becomes apparent within three years of the date of delivery (as of 2024). Where the agreement concerns used movable goods, this period may be reduced to 18 months by mutual consent, unless the items are marketed as reconditioned, in which case the full three-year liability period continues to apply.

Any defect or non-conformity that emerges within two years of delivery is presumed to have been present at the time of delivery, unless this presumption is incompatible with the nature of the goods or the specific characteristics of the fault. In practical terms, this means that if a product fails or malfunctions within two years, the burden falls on the seller to demonstrate that the fault did not exist at the point of sale — a notably stronger protection than consumers may be accustomed to under other legal frameworks.

The right of free termination — commonly referred to as the right of withdrawal — permits a consumer to cancel a purchase without providing any justification and to recover all sums paid without incurring costs, within 15 days of purchase (as of 2024). Upon the exercise of this right, the seller must reimburse all amounts received, including the original delivery charges. This cooling-off period covers distance and online contracts and is more generous than the standard 14-day EU minimum, so always verify the current legal position through an authoritative source.

Portugal also maintains the livro de reclamações (complaints book) system. Every business dealing with consumers — whether physical or online — is legally required to keep one. Completing an entry formally registers a complaint, compels the business to respond within a specified timeframe, and triggers an automatic notification to ASAE (the food and economic safety authority) for follow-up. Most retailers, whether online or in-store, are conscientious about honouring consumer rights and frequently exceed their minimum legal obligations. For the most current legal position on any specific matter, consult the Directorate-General for Consumer Affairs (DGC) or seek guidance from DECO.

Which organisations protect consumers in Portugal, and how can you contact them?

Portugal has a well-structured network of consumer protection bodies operating at both national and regional level. Residents can turn to organisations such as DECO, ASAE, the Consumer Ombudsman, and the Portuguese Consumer Union when they need assistance. The principal bodies are outlined below.

DECO – Associação Portuguesa para a Defesa do Consumidor
DECO is an independent non-profit association with charitable status and holds official ‘Public Utility’ recognition. As Portugal’s largest consumer association, its work spans consumer information through test publications and magazines, individual consumer advice and support, alternative dispute resolution, consumer education in schools, professional training in consumer law, and lobbying on behalf of consumers at a policy level. Complaints can be submitted online or in person at one of DECO’s offices across the country. Visit: deco.proteste.pt

DGC – Direção-Geral do Consumidor (Directorate-General for Consumer Affairs)
The principal bodies charged with implementing consumer protection legislation in Portugal include the DGC, the Food and Economic Safety Authority (ASAE), and the Public Prosecutor’s Office. The DGC operates within the Portuguese government and is responsible for consumer policy development, legislative oversight, and coordinating the national consumer protection framework. It also administers the complaints book system. Visit: consumidor.gov.pt

ASAE – Autoridade de Segurança Alimentar e Económica (Food and Economic Safety Authority)
ASAE enforces consumer protection legislation and has the power to impose fines and sanctions on businesses found to be in breach of the law. Alongside its food safety mandate, it handles a broader economic crimes remit, making it the appropriate authority to contact if you suspect fraudulent trading, counterfeit goods, or dangerous products on sale. Visit: asae.gov.pt

Provedor do Consumidor (Consumer Ombudsman)
The Consumer Ombudsman is an independent body offering free legal advice and representation to consumers involved in a dispute with a business. This service can be especially valuable for expats navigating an unfamiliar legal system, and it is accessible to all legal residents in Portugal.

Consumer Dispute Arbitration Centres
Portugal maintains a network of arbitration centres to resolve consumer disputes out of court, including centres in Lisbon, Coimbra and Figueira da Foz, Porto, Braga, and Vale do Ave, as well as a dedicated Arbitration Centre for the Automobile Industry. These centres provide a faster and generally less costly alternative to court proceedings. The DGC website can direct you to the most suitable centre based on your location and the nature of your dispute.

European Consumer Centre Portugal (ECC Portugal)
When a dispute involves a trader established in another EU member state, the European Consumer Centre can provide assistance. Portugal’s ECC functions under the DGC and forms part of the EU-wide ECC-Net network, offering free guidance on cross-border consumer disputes within the EU. Visit: eccportugal.pt

Frequently asked questions: retail and consumer issues in Portugal

Do supermarkets in Portugal open on Sundays?

Supermarkets in Portugal do not typically close on Sundays, meaning you can do a full grocery shop at hypermarkets and large chains throughout the weekend. While neighbourhood independent shops are often closed, shopping centres and major supermarket brands remain open, making Sunday trading considerably more accessible than in countries that impose statutory closing restrictions.

Is cash still necessary in Portugal?

Certain smaller businesses operate on a cash-only basis, so it is wise to keep some currency to hand — particularly in rural locations or when making small purchases. If you are travelling beyond major cities such as Lisbon or Porto, you may find that cashless payment is not available everywhere. Carrying a modest amount of cash alongside your card will cover the vast majority of situations you are likely to encounter.

What is MB WAY and do I need it?

MB WAY is an instant payment service connected to the Multibanco network that allows users to transfer funds and complete purchases via their mobile devices. It handles approximately 45% of all e-commerce transactions in Portugal, boasts over 4.5 million registered users, and is linked to 28 banks. While not absolutely compulsory, activating MB WAY through your Portuguese bank account makes a wide range of everyday transactions — from splitting restaurant bills to paying online — considerably more straightforward.

What warranty do I have on goods purchased in Portugal?

Sellers are liable for any lack of conformity in movable goods that becomes evident within three years of the delivery date (as of 2024). Any fault arising within the first two years of delivery is presumed to have existed at the time of delivery, placing the onus on the seller to prove otherwise. Always check the current legal thresholds with the DGC or DECO, as legislation may be subject to revision.

Can I return a product I bought online in Portugal?

The right of free termination entitles consumers to cancel an online or distance purchase without stating a reason and to reclaim all amounts paid, including delivery costs, within 15 days of purchase (as of 2024). In-store purchases do not carry an automatic statutory right of return unless the goods are faulty, though many retailers operate goodwill return policies — it is always worth confirming the store’s policy at the point of sale.

What is the complaints book (livro de reclamações) and how do I use it?

The livro de reclamações is a mandatory complaints register that every consumer-facing business in Portugal must maintain, in both physical and online formats. To lodge a complaint, request the book, record your details and the nature of your grievance, and retain a copy for your own records. The business is legally obliged to respond within a defined timeframe, and the complaint is automatically referred to ASAE for regulatory oversight. The digital version of the complaints book can be accessed at livroreclamacoes.pt.

Are there good options for buying international foods in Portugal?

Absolutely — major cities, particularly Lisbon and Porto, are home to dedicated Asian, Middle Eastern, South American, and African food shops, especially in central neighbourhoods. The Martim Moniz district of Lisbon is widely recognised as a hub for international grocery shopping. Larger supermarkets such as Continente and El Corte Inglés stock a varied range of imported products, and specialist online retailers can deliver specific international brands directly to your address.

Who should I contact if a business refuses to honour my consumer rights?

If a business declines to uphold your rights, do not simply accept this outcome — verify your entitlements, complete the complaints book, and get in touch with DECO or the relevant government consumer affairs department. DECO can provide practical advice and direct assistance to consumers who have been treated unfairly. Unresolved disputes can also be referred to one of Portugal’s regional consumer arbitration centres, which can issue binding decisions without the need for court proceedings.