Payment methods
Multibanco reference payments: how they work for online merchants
A Multibanco reference is a Portuguese payment voucher: the shop generates an entity number, a reference and the amount, and the shopper pays it later at a Multibanco ATM or in online banking. The order stays pending until payment, and the confirmation reaches the shop by webhook. The merchant sets the expiry. Multibanco suits shoppers who prefer not to pay by card.
- Multibanco reference
- Portuguese payment voucher made of an entity, a reference and an amount, paid at an ATM or in online banking.
At a glance
| Country and currency | Portugal, EUR |
|---|---|
| Operator | SIBS |
| Flow | Entity, reference and amount paid at an ATM or in online banking |
| Confirmation | Asynchronous, by webhook after payment |
| Expiry | Set by the merchant |
What is a Multibanco reference?
Multibanco is the Portuguese interbank network run by SIBS. A Multibanco reference is a payment request with an entity, a reference and an amount, generated for each order by the merchant's payment provider.
How does a Multibanco payment work?
The payment is asynchronous.
- Generate The provider generates a reference with amount and validity.
- Show The shopper sees the entity, reference and amount at checkout and by email.
- Pay The shopper pays at an ATM, in online banking or in the banking app.
- Confirm The provider notifies the shop by webhook and the order is released.
What happens if the reference expires?
The merchant sets the start and end of validity. Once it expires unpaid, the reference becomes invalid and the payment cannot be made; the shopper has to restart the order.
How do you accept Multibanco through OrsunPay?
OrsunPay is a payment orchestration platform: you keep your own contracts with licensed providers (for example Stripe, Adyen or Worldpay), and OrsunPay is not a payment institution, acquirer or merchant of record and does not hold or transmit funds. Multibanco is available through OrsunPay: you connect a provider that supports it, it appears in the hosted checkout and payment links, and payment confirmations arrive by webhook. For OrsunPay pricing, see the pricing page at /pricing.
Frequently asked questions
Is Multibanco instant?
No. The order stays pending until the shopper pays the reference; then the confirmation arrives by webhook.
Can a reference be paid in online banking?
Yes, at Multibanco ATMs, in online banking or in banking apps.
Should I offer MB WAY or Multibanco?
Usually both: MB WAY for instant mobile payments, Multibanco for shoppers who pay later.