ActivoBank Reviews 

Very good, until you have a problem and want an answer. The helpline does not give relevant answers and even lie to try to get away from the call.

Online bank where you can't open an account online. Even with a residence permit you need to visit the branch. I visited a branch in Saldanha - Lisbon. Warning: You need to scan a QR code for getting your waiting number (internet connection required or you can do it via sms). Was waiting 2,5 hours even when I was there before opening hour. They say opening your account take 30 minutes. After 2 hours they stopped taking new customers for account opening because it was full for this day already. Before 12am... When I got inside, I was treated with disrespect. The staff was extremely stressed out. Only 2 people could go inside. In the end I was told that I need to show employment contract. This is the worst burreucratic thing ever! If you are not employed in Portugal, you have a very big problem. They don't accept foreign language documents. You need to pay for authorised translator. This is incredible. After this he told me to come again. But he deleted all information so the next time I will have to show him all documents again, all paperwork again. I can't believe this bank is considered as the best in Portugal for expats. How other banks look like I don't wanna know.

It's obvious for a "normal"person that is scrolling down these reviews, to realise that all the "bad experiences" are written in english... strange...
So, if you are Portuguese, like me, and you're searching these rates to see why the poor ratings i only have to say excellent things from my personal experience.
Never had a problem with the ActivoBank, and including I've canceled my account in Montepio to change to Activobank.
If you don't need a bank with physical departments, and you're searching a solid digital bank with a solid backup (Millenium BCP) this is your solution.
Tiago Pereira.

Worst bank ever to deal with avoid at all costs

My application and online banking suddenly stopped working. I am out of Portugal on the "emergency phone line" already since 45 minutes. Nobody picks up the phone, nobody answers the emails...

Never had a situation like this before in any country.

The bank is very unprofessional they are taking too much for attend the customer and i waited outside for one an half hour
Then one person come and go inside before me thats how they treat theit client

This Bank is the perfect fit for me.
Customer support is amazing: Every time I call I get a complete and quick answer to my questions.
They have the best digital resources. Their APP is super powerful and easy to use.
They are also one of the, if not the, cheapest bank in Portugal.

On top of this their offices close at 20h, which is a leading feature with the rest closing at 15h/16h.
Yes, they do not have a lot of offices, but most in-person-operation can be done in a BCP office, of which there are plenty around.

Highly recommended.

I have very terrible experience. I have lost my debit card in april. I have called 8th april for my new debig card. Onwards, i have called so many times but till now i don't get any post from this bank. After that, i want to close my account and the answer is i have to go bank to close my account but i can't go because I live so far away from lisbon. Very bad services. Worst experience

I couldn't say bad customer service as I haven't talk to anyone. Support is inexistant, after multiples emails and messages through Skype sent since 14 days. Don't be in a hurry if you need any sort of help ;)

I do not understand why activobank bank have such poor reviews.
My experience has been excellent, I have been banking with them for 3 years, they offer free online banking.
A helpline where I can speak to someone in English.
On the rare occasion I have needed to visit the branch in Coimbra they have been extremely helpful.
Definitely 5 stars from me.

Onboarding does not work. It will not recognize my postal code in Portugal! Sent a message to support over official Skype account. 2 weeks - no response. Avoid.

The onboarding was absolutely awful.
In fact it didn't even complete.

After sending them ALL my personal data - this includes how much I make, who employs me, bank statements, personal documents, etc - I had a 30 minutes interview, where they proceeded to ask me if the numbers I've already sent them where in fact correct, and show my citizen card for 10 minutes from every possible angle.

After that they phoned me saying that I had to repeat everything again.

On the second time, the video call hang up and so I had to repeat again, including sending the all my documents for a third time.

After multiple calls and spending more money trying to get into this bank, than what my normal bank ever asked me, I gave up.

Terrible experience.

This is my experience this is bank.

I have been trying to open a simple bank account for about 20 days. After spending about 20 minutes filling out the application and 1 hour on the video chat and uploading documents my account is still not open.

So far I have uploaded the following documents:

- 2019 tax return (IRS form 1040)
- 2019 IRS form 1099
- 2019 Merchant receipts all 12 months for my company
- YTD invoices for all clients and services for my company.
- IRS TIN registration certificate for my company
- Current gas bill
- Virginia drivers license

And it still isn’t enough to open a simple account? I am not sure what else to send. I don’t have anymore documents to send.

Have called numerous times and no one has called me back to explain what is needed that they don't already have.

I am very satisfied and quite surprised to see such negative reviews.
I never got any issue, when I lost my card, they gave an other one directly; when I have big transfers to do, it works promptly. Thanks Activo

Horrible customer service. Only good for people who enjoy staying on queue for hours, only to get NO solution for your questions.

Well, that went fast from 5 to 1 star.
After a telephone change which went correctly, I thought (I could use the app again) I tried to pay online. And guess what?! The confirmation sms has been send to the old telephone number. In their information it is mentioned that the confirmation will be send to the known telephone number. Which has been changed. Yep, party. But not everywhere.

I was robbed a couple of weeks ago in Athens, Greece and before arriving at the Police Station, the thieves managed to withdraw 60 Euros from my account. After cancelling my card and doing the police report I was requested to email the police report to the customer service agent to whom I spoke to in order to get my 60 Euro refund. A month went by and didn't see any reimbursements made so I decided to call again to find out about the status of my case. The lady to whom I spoke to then told me that my case is in a "maybe" scenario. After weeks had gone by! And I found out because I called. Not because they informed me.

Advise: Stay away from that ActivoBank. It wasn't my choice to open an account with them. It was a company to which I worked for that chose that crappy institution. I'm going to keep the account open but in zero. In that way I'll teach them what they're wort to me.

I just needed the update my phone number... when I finally managed to talk with them, I was told that in a few days they were going to update it.
One month later, still isn't done.

I've used many banks in different countries and have to say I was impressed with ActivoBank. The mobile APP is one of the best bank apps I've experienced and their customer services always helped me out whenever I needed. Many banks in Portugal charges you a ridiculous maintenance fee (combined with bad service) while ActivoBank doesn't. I am looking forward to keep my bank account with them.

Guys, think twice before you become a client of this bank. I’m wrinting an example for you all see how archaic it is. Just to change a telephone number it takes more than 3 days so can you imagine the other services ?
This bank is too bad to work with.