I would open my Portuguese bank account - one that gives me a debit card - well in advance. It is a pre-requisite for smooth investment in funds in most cases. I will fund it prior to going for my appointment and use my Portuguese debit card.
I would avoid letting my lawyer pay for it because -
Though the ‘Tabela de taxas’ on the AIMA website (updated on 6th March, 2025) says the fee is €6,179.xx, over the last 10-15 days at least 2 lawyers have informed me that the fee is €7,730.xx. I would rather pay myself than be naive enough to expect the lawyer to refund the extra funds I would transfer to them.
As you would have understood from my comments above, I am still evaluating many things and haven’t gotten in to the process as yet.