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Brazilian Pix Arrives in Portugal, Is Already Accepted in Supermarkets, and Begins to Consolidate as a Global Instant Payment System.
The Brazilian Pix has broken borders and is now also available in Portugal, consolidating itself as one of the most innovative payment systems in the world. Since January, thanks to an agreement between Braza Bank and Unicre — one of the largest operators of payment terminals in the Portuguese retail sector — Pix in Portugal is already accepted in supermarkets and is beginning to gain traction as a practical and secure alternative for Brazilians living in or visiting the country.
Pix Arrives in Portugal and Is Already in Supermarket Chains
The first major chain to adopt the innovation was Continente, one of the largest retail groups in Portugal. Initially, Pix was tested in Braga, a city that is home to around 20,000 Brazilians, and after positive results, it was expanded to 18 stores in Lisbon, Oeiras, and Cascais. The plan is to extend acceptance to all group units in the country.
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According to official estimates, Portugal currently hosts over 550,000 Brazilians, with around 350,000 in the Lisbon area alone. This audience, combined with over one million tourists coming from Brazil every year, justifies the strategic decision to incorporate Pix in Portugal as a payment method.
The Portuguese Prime Minister, Luís Montenegro, emphasized the importance of the Brazilian community in the country and how integrating this system can strengthen local commerce.
How Pix Works in Other Countries
The operation of Pix in other countries follows the same principle of convenience as the system in Brazil. In Portugal, the consumer pays in reais, with automatic conversion to euros at the time of purchase. The amount appears on the screen in both currencies, providing transparency to the transaction.
For the merchant, there is an operational fee of around 3%, in addition to the IOF charge (0.38%) and exposure to exchange rate fluctuations. Still, the model offers advantages: immediate liquidity and reduced dependence on intermediaries who, in credit card transactions, usually convert first to dollars before the final currency.
International Expansion of the Brazilian Pix
Portugal is just one of the destinations. Pix in other countries is already a reality in strategic markets. According to the Central Bank of Brazil, the system is also available in commercial establishments in the United States (Miami), France, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Spain, and Paraguay.
Acceptance occurs through partnerships with payment technology companies that adapt the Brazilian infrastructure for each local market. The goal is to make Pix an international standard, especially for Brazilian consumers abroad.
Brazilian Pix and Its Limitations Outside the Country
Despite the advancements, there are still limitations. Pix in other countries can only be used for payments in commercial establishments. International transfers between bank accounts are not yet available. In other words, it is not possible to send Pix directly from Brazil to accounts in Portugal, for example — the function remains restricted to retail payments.
Even with this restriction, experts point out that the user experience, with amounts displayed in reais and local currency at the time of purchase, puts Pix at an advantage over international cards, which often impose additional fees and subsequent adjustments.
Pix as a Global Payment System
The success of the Brazilian Pix is already beginning to inspire other countries to develop similar instant payment models. With its international expansion, the system could become one of the main global references in digital payment methods.
The partnership between Brazil and Portugal, in particular, has extra symbolism: the strong presence of the Brazilian community in the European country accelerates the adoption and massification of the system, showcasing Pix’s potential beyond national borders.
And what do you think, does Pix arriving in Portugal mark the first step in establishing itself as a truly global payment system, even surpassing traditional credit cards?
Bom dia, Acredito na inteligência brasileira que consegue realizar trabalho tão importante a serviço do Brasil
Chico Solidarity
Rio Grande RS Brasil
20/08/2025