Top 6 Best eSIMs for Portugal in 2024

Portugal is mesmerizing. There is so much to see, do, and experience, so you’ll definitely need the best eSIM for Portugal to share all that with your loved ones. With a digital SIM, you can easily remain connected and avoid data roaming and unexpected fees. Keep your airline tickets and bookings on your phone. Use Google Maps to get around, check the public transportation schedule, and hail your taxis via an app. In this article, we’ll help you find the best eSIM card and available carriers.

Which is the best eSIM for Portugal?

As a new trend grows, so does competition. Plenty of providers and operators offer their Portugal eSIM offer with their own perks and advantages. 

Your travel needs are the starting point when choosing the correct products and service provider. How much data do you regularly use? How long are you going to stay in Portugal? Are you planning on sharing data? Check each option carefully and make sure that your primary needs are met. Once those are cleared, you can check for additional features and pros to make your journey a seamless experience. 

Here is just a general overview of the prices, eSIM card validity, and mobile data allowance.

However, keep reading for a more detailed review of each of these eSIM data plans, as this table only gives you a general idea. There is much more to these eSIM plans and each of them has a feature that might just make it your best eSIM for Portugal.

1. Holafly Portugal eSIM

💡The best option for travelers who want to use their eSIM plan without worrying about running out of mobile data.

There is an excellent reason why Holafly has over 39,000 Trustpilot reviews and a rating as high as 4.6. If you compare this with other eSIM providers, this is probably the most significant number of reviews any of them has. This means a lot of people are using Holafly’s unlimited data eSIM and are happy about it.

With Holafly Portugal eSIM, you can pick how many days you will use it. Unlike other digital SIM cards with pre-set validity, Holafly allows you to choose your own. Pick anywhere from 1 to 90 days, and you’ll get an unlimited eSIM data plan for that number of days. 

You can use your Holafly Portugal eSIM to make a mobile hotspot, but there is a limit to your tethering. Namely, you get a 500 MB daily for tethering.

Your Portugal eSIM from Holafly will connect to NOS Comunicacoes or MEO and will always try to connect to 5G networks. However, this depends significantly on the network coverage.

You can pay for your eSIM using Apple Pay, G Pay, credit cards, or PayPal. In Portugal, you can also now pay with MB WAY using the Holafly app.

If you plan on visiting Spain and other European countries on your trip to Portugal, you may want to look into Holafly regional eSIM, which covers the entire continent.

2. Jetpac

💡The cheapest eSIM option for Portugal.

Jetpac offers probably the cheapest Portugal eSIM out there. It is their European eSIM that costs only 1 USD, has a data plan of 1 GB, and lasts for 4 days. This eSIM covers the entire of Europe, including Portugal. However, they also have eSIM plans for Portugal. Here they are:

Jetpac eSIM connects to either Vodafone or Optimus. It offers data packs that can be activated within one year of purchase, and you can pay for them via Apple Pay, G Pay, or the usual credit cards. 

Jetpac users can also get a 30-day free trial of ExpressVPN. Another thing Jetpac users can get is their SmartDelay option. This means that if you register your flight ahead and it gets delayed or canceled, you get a free lounge pass. However, some conditions apply, so read up on those first.

3. SimOptions

💡Global eSIM marketplace offers SimOptions eSIMs and eSIM cards from other mobile carriers.

You can get a SIM card or an eSIM card from SimOptions. Once you choose the eSIM offer, you can pick between the SimOptions digital SIM cards and those from other mobile carriers such as Orange, Three, and others. 

The SimOptions offer for Portugal includes four SimOptions data plans and seven more digital SIM cards from other mobile carriers that cover the entire European continent rather than just Portugal. Here are SimOptions eSIM plans for Portugal:

This is their offer, including other digital SIM cards from other mobile carriers.

4. Nomad

💡Nomad offers eSIM and SIM cards, discounts for tours, and has offers for businesses.

On Nomad’s website, you’ll find limited-time offers, local eSIM plans, and regional and global plans. They have different digital SIM cards that are different in expected network speeds, prices, data usage allowance, and duration. There’s almost always some sort of sale going on on the Nomad website, so it is worth checking it out. This is their current offer for digital SIM cards for Portugal.

Once you use up the data on your digital SIM card, you can top it up with more. The price of these add-ons is the same as the price of a new data plan. The only difference is that with a top-up, you don’t have to install and activate a new virtual SIM card again. 

You can generally use Nomad virtual SIM cards as a mobile hotspot to share your eSIM data. However, in rare cases, the local network can influence the stability of your tethering connection.

5. Maya Mobile

💡Diverse offer of unlimited data plans.

Maya Mobile classifies its eSIM offer according to the duration of the data plan. All their plans are available for 5, 10, 15, or 30 days. The other classification is based on the amount of data. There are Prepaid and Unlimited plans. If your virtual SIM card for Portugal is Prepaid, you can get it with 3 GB, 5 GB, 10 GB, or 20 GB. The Unlimited data eSIMs come in Lite, Standard, and Max options:

• Lite includes the first 2 GB of daily high-speed data and no hotspot.
• Standard includes the first  3 GB of daily high-speed data and the hotspot option.
• Max includes the first 5 GB of daily high-speed data and the hotspot option.

Maya Mobile connects to Vodafone and NEO networks, and it will always try to connect to 5G whenever possible Here are Maya Mobile prices for Prepaid plans.

If you are interested in a Maya Mobile virtual SIM card with unlimited data, this is the price list:

6. Yesim

💡Has the option of using a virtual phone number for receiving registration codes. 

Yesim is another eSIM provider that can help you find an eSIM plan for your trip to Portugal. It offers a Portugal plan, regional eSIM for Europe, and even international eSIM with unlimited data that is on a pay-as-you-go basis. 

Yesim uses Optimus, Vodafone, and TMN networks in Portugal and the speeds are 3G/4G/LTE/5G, depending on whether your area has good coverage.

You can get an Unlimited or Standard eSIM plan from Yesim. Here are the prices of the eSIM cards with an Unlimited data plan:

• 1 day – $7.70
• 7 days – $24.20
• 15 days – $36.30
• 30 days – $59.40

If you want a Standard eSIM plan, you can choose how much eSIM data you need to stay connected.

Let’s circle back for a minute to their virtual number option. This phone number cannot be used to make or receive calls. You won’t be able to send messages, either. However, if you need a phone number to register your profile on Instagram, Telegram, or a similar app, you can use this number to receive the registration code. However, you can still make phone calls using the WiFi connection or your mobile data.

European prepaid eSIM cards

Some of the big European telecom companies are getting into the eSIM game. Two carriers pop up in many lists, rounding up eSIMs for Europe. You can buy a physical SIM card or an eSIM for your trip to Portugal and avoid data roaming. Here they are with their current offer.

Orange

Most users get their Orange eSIM through SimOptions. However, you should always check the Orange website for their current offer. Sometimes, even though SimOptions has an offer, it’s not a better deal than what’s on the provider’s website. Orange has two eSIM cards that most people choose:

Orange Holiday Europe eSIM—This eSIM covers Portugal and other European countries. It offers calls, SMS, and a phone number. You can choose from different data plans, and once you start your purchase, you can choose whether you want an Orange Holiday Europe SIM card or an eSIM.

Orange Holiday Portugal eSIM—In addition to the Orange Holiday Europe eSIM, Orange has an offer specific to Portugal. Some of these are not physical SIM cards, and can only be purchased as eSIMs. This is a good option if you need unlimited calls in Portugal.

Bouygues

This French SIM card provider also offers a My European eSIM. This virtual SIM card has 30 GB, lasts 30 days, and costs 39.90 EUR. Just like with Orange, this digital SIM card offers SMS, calls, and a French phone number, which means you can use it anywhere in European countries. You can also use this eSIM as a mobile hotspot and share your internet connection with other devices.

Conclusion

Before choosing your eSIM for Portugal, always check whether your mobile phone actually supports the eSIM technology. Even if you are certain that it does, once you pick your eSIM provider, check their own list of compatible devices, just in case.

The best option for staying connected in Portugal is definitely an eSIM that you can order online. There is a great selection, and you can find eSIMs at very affordable prices. The installation is extremely easy. Even before you reach Portugal, you can purchase your eSIM. 

You’ll get a QR code to scan, and the eSIM will automatically install on your mobile phone. However, don’t activate it until you are in Portugal. Scanning the QR code means only installing, not necessarily activating your eSIM. Check your provider’s instructions for more details.

There are different options available, but if you want unlimited data to stay connected throughout your trip, Holafly eSIM is an excellent option because it is one of the most renowned eSIM providers on the market. If you check Trustpilot, you’ll see that Holafly has over 39,000 happy users, which is more than almost all other eSIM providers. 

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Katarina M Arsic

Senior Writer

With a background in English literature and a focus on storytelling, I’ve turned my interests in travel and technology into a career helping others stay connected abroad. Originally from Serbia, I work remotely with my husband, experiencing local cultures firsthand and bringing that perspective to my writing for Holafly. Fun fact: before focusing on content creation, I was a professional volleyball player.

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