Payments with MB WAY: Everything you need to know

What is MB WAY?

The favorite payment method of the Portuguese

MB WAY is the most widely used mobile payment method in Portugal and one of the most strategic options for any ecommerce looking to sell in the country. It allows payments, instant transfers, and online purchases directly from the mobile phone and is operated by SIBS (Sociedade Interbancária de Serviços), the entity responsible for much of the country’s electronic payment infrastructure.

Launched in 2015 as a digital extension of Multibanco, MB WAY evolved from transfers between individuals to a complete wallet. Today it has over 6.5 million users and is integrated into more than 185,000 merchants, covering 94% of the country’s issuing banks.

For any company operating in or looking to expand into Portugal, accepting MB WAY is key to offering a payment experience adapted to local habits.

How do MB WAY payments work?

MB WAY works by linking a mobile phone number to one or more bank cards within the app (it allows storing up to eight cards). The user authorizes each transaction from their smartphone via authentication (PIN or biometrics), without needing to enter sensitive card details for each transaction.

MB WAY payments in ecommerce

1. The customer selects MB WAY as the payment method at checkout.
2. They enter their mobile phone number registered in the service account.
3. They receive a notification in the app.
4. They confirm the transaction by selecting the card and validating it through strong customer authentication (SCA).
5. The payment is authorized instantly, and the merchant receives confirmation in real time.

This flow eliminates the need to manually enter card details, reducing friction and thus improving conversion rates.

MB WAY payments in physical stores

1. The merchant generates a code with the transaction details (amount, merchant identifier, etc.).
2. The customer scans the QR code from the MB WAY app.
3. They review the amount and confirm the payment with a PIN if required.
4. The transaction is validated in seconds and automatically notified to the merchant.

This model allows accepting mobile payments without cash or physical cards, facilitating digitization at physical points of sale.

Advantages of accepting MB WAY payments in your business

This payment method offers a range of benefits for both the customer and the merchant in the Portuguese market:

Advantages of paying with MB WAY (customer)

• Fast and frictionless payment: Only their mobile number is needed, without entering card details for each purchase, reducing friction.
• Strong customer authentication (SCA): Each transaction is validated via PIN or biometrics, meeting current security standards.
• Mobile control: Users receive immediate notifications and can manage their cards from the app quickly and easily.
• Wide acceptance in Portugal: It is one of the most widely used payment methods in both ecommerce and physical stores. Familiarity builds trust, and trust reduces doubts at checkout.

Advantages of accepting payments with MB WAY (merchant)

• Higher conversion rates in Portugal: As a local payment method, it increases the likelihood of successful purchases.
• Reduced cart abandonment: Simplifies the payment process and removes unnecessary steps, increasing the chances the customer completes the purchase.
• Easy integration: Through an efficient payment service provider, it can be activated without complex development. Thanks to PaynoPain’s online payment platform, we explain how to do it.
• Immediate payment confirmation: Transactions are validated in real time, allowing you to manage orders and shipments without unnecessary delays.
• Reduced fraud and costs: Strong authentication and customer validation reduce the risk of fraud, returns, or incorrect charges.
• Competitive advantage in international expansion: If you sell in Portugal and do not accept MB WAY, you are at a disadvantage compared to local merchants.

Sectors where MB WAY boosts conversion the most

Although MB WAY can be integrated into almost any business type, some sectors see particularly significant impact:

Ecommerce selling in Portugal

Online stores selling to Portuguese consumers boost sales by offering a widely adopted local payment method. This increases customer trust, conversion rates, and reduces cart abandonment, especially for quick or low-value purchases.

Physical retail

Physical stores can enable QR payments, removing the need for physical cards or traditional terminals. This is especially useful for SMEs seeking agility and a modern, contactless payment experience.

Marketplaces

High-volume local transaction platforms like marketplaces benefit from MB WAY by offering a fast, secure, and widely recognized payment method, efficiently managing payments between multiple sellers and buyers.

Digital services and subscriptions

Online services and subscription platforms require simple and fast payment processes. MB WAY allows users to authorize payments with a few clicks, improving user experience and reducing friction, positively affecting subscriptions by attracting new customers or retaining existing ones.

What does integrating MB WAY in your ecommerce with PaynoPain involve?

We now know how MB WAY works and the benefits it brings to both merchants and customers. We have also explained which sectors see higher conversion rates with this local payment method, benefiting from simple integration without technical complexities or long processes.

Agile integration

To activate MB WAY on your virtual POS, you avoid complex integrations. Through your online payment platform, installation is quick and simple so you can start accepting payments with this alternative method.

Compatibility with ecommerce platforms

MB WAY is compatible with major ecommerce platforms. With PaynoPain, you can accept MB WAY payments on PrestaShop, WooCommerce, Magento, Shopify, and Odoo without interrupting your online store operations and continue charging your customers.

Centralized management

With PaynoPain, all your transactions are available in real time. Our control panel allows you to:

• Automatically reconcile payments.
• Generate detailed sales reports.
• Minimize administrative errors by centralizing business information.

This centralized management saves time and simplifies daily operations, leaving more room to focus on other aspects of your business.

International expansion

MB WAY is part of our range of local payment methods. At PaynoPain, we ensure your customers have the most feasible payment options, and MB WAY is just an example in Portugal. If your business operates in other countries such as Spain, the same applies with Bizum. Investing in these local payment methods not only increases conversion in each country but also facilitates your business expansion.

Accept MB WAY payments in your business

Increase your sales with PaynoPain’s online payment platform

Accepting MB WAY payments through PaynoPain is ideal if you are looking for a local payment method in Portugal or want to expand your business in the country.

Integrating local payment methods is no longer just a technical issue but a strategic decision to increase revenue. Contact our sales team to learn more and integrate it into your virtual POS with PaynoPain.