Number of payment establishments in Portugal 2018-2023, by type

The source states that "Payment institutions are entities authorised to provide and carry out payment services (..., such as) services enabling cash to be placed on a payment account and cash withdrawals from a payment account (...), execution of payment transactions, including transfer of funds, execution of direct debits and payment transactions through a payment card or similar device, regardless of whether the funds are covered by a credit line or not, issuing or acquiring of payment instruments, money remittance, (and) execution of payment transactions where the customer’s order is given by means of any telecommunication, digital or IT device and payment is made to the telecommunication, IT system or network operator".
The source also states that "Credit institutions are companies that receive deposits and other repayable funds from the public and grant credit for their own account. While banks may practice all types of operations authorised to credit institutions, the remaining credit institutions may only carry out the activities and perform the operations permitted by the legal and regulatory rules that govern their activity (..., such as) payment services".