What happens if I do not declare cash and foreign-exchange payment instruments in Portugal?

Under RGIT, artigo 108.º n.º 6, if the goods are found without being declared: an administrative fine is imposed; the goods are confiscated. Under RGIT, artigo 92.º n.º 1 alínea e), punida com pena de prisão de 1 a 4, if it is treated as smuggling: it is prosecuted as a criminal offence.

Can I post or ship cash and foreign-exchange payment instruments to Portugal instead of carrying it?

Not under this allowance. It covers goods a traveller carries; a parcel is an import and is assessed under the postal rules instead. Baggage sent before or after you travels under the same allowance.

Can I take cash and foreign-exchange payment instruments out of Portugal?

Yes. Portugal publishes no limit on taking cash and foreign-exchange payment instruments out.

Does the Portugal limit for cash and foreign-exchange payment instruments apply per person or per family?

Per person. Each traveller carries their own allowance and it cannot be pooled with anyone else's.

Where does this rule come from?

Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira (AT) states it in Guia para viajantes. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “Dinheiro: Os viajantes que entrem no território da União Europeia, ou dele saiam, transportando consigo uma quantia igual ou superior a 10.000 €, devem declará-la à Alfândega.”

How does Portugal compare with other countries on cash and foreign-exchange payment instruments?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit cash and foreign-exchange payment instruments, 20 limit it and 0 let it through. Portugal is among the ones that set a limit.

How much Cash and foreign-exchange payment instruments can I bring into Portugal?

Restricted

You can bring Cash and foreign-exchange payment instruments into Portugal only within the stated limits.

Extra conditions apply

Cabin baggage —

Checked baggage —

Declaration Above allowance

Limit 10,000 EUR

What you need to know

No stated quantity
Value cap: 10,000 EUR
Channels: Carried with the traveler
No stated quantity
Channels: Carried with the traveler
Extra conditions apply

Important

This allowance applies per person, not per family or group.

Official sources disagree on this rule and the conflict is not yet resolved.

If you do not declare

Step 1: Confiscation, Administrative fine

Official sources

Last verified 2026-09-19

Guia para viajantes Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira
Lei n.º 107/2001, artigo 66.º (Exportação e expedição de outros bens classificados) — Diário da República, I Série-A, n.º 209 Diário da República (Imprensa Nacional-Casa da Moeda) — Assembleia da República

Questions about Cash and foreign-exchange payment instruments in Portugal

How much cash and foreign-exchange payment instruments can I bring into Portugal?: Portugal allows cash and foreign-exchange payment instruments to be brought in, but it has to be declared once it reaches 10,000 EUR. The allowance is per traveller and cannot be pooled between people.
Do I have to declare cash and foreign-exchange payment instruments at Portugal customs?: Yes — it has to be declared to Portugal customs on arrival.
What happens if I do not declare cash and foreign-exchange payment instruments in Portugal?: Under RGIT, artigo 108.º n.º 6, if the goods are found without being declared: an administrative fine is imposed; the goods are confiscated. Under RGIT, artigo 92.º n.º 1 alínea e), punida com pena de prisão de 1 a 4, if it is treated as smuggling: it is prosecuted as a criminal offence.
Can I post or ship cash and foreign-exchange payment instruments to Portugal instead of carrying it?: Not under this allowance. It covers goods a traveller carries; a parcel is an import and is assessed under the postal rules instead. Baggage sent before or after you travels under the same allowance.
Can I take cash and foreign-exchange payment instruments out of Portugal?: Yes. Portugal publishes no limit on taking cash and foreign-exchange payment instruments out.
Does the Portugal limit for cash and foreign-exchange payment instruments apply per person or per family?: Per person. Each traveller carries their own allowance and it cannot be pooled with anyone else's.
Where does this rule come from?: Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira (AT) states it in Guia para viajantes. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “Dinheiro: Os viajantes que entrem no território da União Europeia, ou dele saiam, transportando consigo uma quantia igual ou superior a 10.000 €, devem declará-la à Alfândega.”
How does Portugal compare with other countries on cash and foreign-exchange payment instruments?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit cash and foreign-exchange payment instruments, 20 limit it and 0 let it through. Portugal is among the ones that set a limit.

Related items

Accompanied cash Accompanying goods, non-commercial (flat-rate band) Agricultural/forestry/fishery/livestock products (general sub-cap) Alcohol and alcoholic beverages above 22% vol (or undenatured ethyl alcohol 80% vol and over)

Related countries

Australia Canada China France

Other items in this group

Accompanied cash Cash and bearer negotiable instruments (all currencies) Cross-border movement of monetary instruments (cash and bearer negotiable instruments) Currency and monetary instruments (CAN$10,000 reporting) Currency and monetary instruments over $10,000 Foreign currency cash