First Phrases

Opening a bank account · Português

Opening a bank account in Portuguese: 12 survival phrases

Open an account as a newcomer: say what you want, hand over the right documents, ask about fees, cards and transfers, and find out where to sign.

Phrases, not advice. These cards only help you say what you need. They give no medical, legal, tax or financial advice. For any decision, ask the pharmacist, doctor, bank or the official office.

Register: Polite (formal is safer). Use the polite verb form. Portuguese banks normally need your passport or residence document, your NIF (número de identificação fiscal) and a proof of address ("comprovativo de morada"). The NIF comes from the Finanças.

How to read the sounds: European Portuguese swallows unstressed vowels, so syllables sound shorter than they look. (n) = nasal vowel, don't sound the n. sh = the 'sh' of 'ship' for final s and x. Stress is in CAPITALS.

Your recording stays on your device.

Official names used

On this card: NIF, Finanças, IBAN, comprovativo de morada. Spelling checked against official sites on 2026-10-20:

12 phrases you will need

  1. 01Polite
    Gostaria de abrir uma conta bancária.
    Say it like: goosh-tuh-REE-uh duh ah-BREER OO-muh KOHN-tuh bahn-KAH-ree-uh
    I'd like to open a bank account.
    Register: Polite.
  2. 02Neutral
    Cheguei há pouco a Portugal. Posso abrir conta?
    Say it like: sheh-GAY ah POH-koo uh poor-too-GAHL. POH-soo ah-BREER KOHN-tuh
    I've just arrived in Portugal. Can I open an account?
    Register: Neutral.
  3. 03Neutral
    Que documentos preciso de trazer?
    Say it like: kuh doo-koo-MEN-toosh pruh-SEE-zoo duh truh-ZEHR
    What documents do I need to bring?
    Register: Neutral.
  4. 04Polite
    Aqui está o meu passaporte e o meu NIF.
    Say it like: ah-KEE shtah oo MAY-oo pah-suh-POR-tuh ee oo MAY-oo EN-ee-eff
    Here is my passport and my NIF (tax number).
    Register: NIF is said by letters: "en-i-éfe".
  5. 05Neutral
    Este é o meu comprovativo de morada.
    Say it like: ESH-tuh eh oo MAY-oo kohm-proo-vuh-TEE-voo duh moo-RAH-duh
    This is my proof of address.
    Register: A rental contract or utility bill is often accepted.
  6. 06Neutral
    Há comissões de manutenção da conta?
    Say it like: ah koo-mee-SOYNSH duh muh-noo-TEN-sowng duh KOHN-tuh
    Are there account maintenance fees?
    Register: Ask before signing.
  7. 07Neutral
    Quanto cobram por transferências para o estrangeiro?
    Say it like: KWAHN-too KOH-brum poor trunsh-feh-REN-syuhsh PAH-ruh oo shtrahn-ZHAY-roo
    How much do you charge for transfers abroad?
    Register: "Cobram" = the bank as a whole.
  8. 08Polite
    Gostaria de um cartão de débito.
    Say it like: goosh-tuh-REE-uh duh oon kahr-TOWNG duh DEH-bee-too
    I'd like a debit card.
    Register: Polite.
  9. 09Neutral
    Posso usar o homebanking e a aplicação?
    Say it like: POH-soo oo-ZAR oo ohm-BEN-keeng ee uh ah-plee-kuh-SOWNG
    Can I use online banking and the app?
    Register: "Homebanking" is the usual word for online banking.
  10. 10Polite
    Pode dar-me o IBAN da minha conta?
    Say it like: POH-duh DAR-muh oo ee-BAHN duh MEEN-yuh KOHN-tuh
    Could you give me my account's IBAN?
    Register: IBAN starts with PT in Portugal.
  11. 11Neutral
    Quando recebo o cartão?
    Say it like: KWAHN-doo rruh-SEH-boo oo kahr-TOWNG
    When will I receive the card?
    Register: Neutral.
  12. 12Neutral
    Onde é que tenho de assinar?
    Say it like: OHN-duh eh kuh TAYN-yoo duh ah-see-NAR
    Where do I have to sign?
    Register: Read before you sign; ask for a copy.

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Quick answers

What do I say to start at the bank in Portuguese?

Start with: "Gostaria de abrir uma conta bancária." (I'd like to open a bank account.)

Should I use informal or formal Portuguese at the bank?

Use the polite verb form. Portuguese banks normally need your passport or residence document, your NIF (número de identificação fiscal) and a proof of address ("comprovativo de morada"). The NIF comes from the Finanças.

How do I ask which documents a bank needs in Portuguese?

Try: "Que documentos preciso de trazer?" (What documents do I need to bring?)

Same errand, another language

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Portuguese, another errand

Pharmacy Doctor / GP Opening a bank account Tax office Renting a flat

All 5 × 6 survival decks · Phrases for an evening out

How it works

  1. Pick the errand and the language of the country you are in.
  2. Read the twelve phrases: each has the English meaning, an easy pronunciation guide and a register note. Tap the speaker to hear it in your device's voice, or tap Practise to record yourself and compare with the model (your recording never leaves your device).
  3. Print the card or keep it open on your phone. The official names of offices and numbers are checked against the official sites; native-speaker review is still pending.
  4. Once you are settled, open Meet & Mint to find events near you, see who else is going, join alone and chat with the group.

firstphrases.app/survival/bank/pt/ · Phrases, not advice · Meet & Mint