Mobile internet in Portugal: Top 5 options
Mobile internet in Portugal doesn’t have to be expensive. Discover how you can get easy, cheap and unlimited internet for a worry-free holiday.
Traveling to Portugal and staying connected is a must, but you don’t have to pay a fortune for it. Depending on your plan, you can easily pay over $10 per megabyte, so for a 7-day trip, you could spend more on social media than on travel expenses.
This varies depending on where you’re traveling from, as some plans include free roaming in Portugal, but this is not always the case. That’s why our guide explores the best options to get mobile internet in Portugal, from eSIMs to pocket WiFi, helping you choose an affordable and reliable option for your trip.

Holafly eSIM for Portugal: Unlimited data in Portugal
An eSIM is the digital version of a SIM card. It replaces the physical card and lets you connect to mobile internet through local networks or roaming.
If you’re using an eSIM-compatible phone, your best option is to use the Holafly eSIM for Portugal, which offers unlimited data, up to 500 MB of hotspot data, 5G data speeds, 24/7 customer support, and pricing ranging from $3.90 to $1.55 per day.
If you’re visiting other European countries, Holafly also offers an eSIM for Europe. Pricing stays the same, but you get up to 1 GB of hotspot data and coverage in 33 European countries, including Portugal.
Local SIM card for Portugal
With Vodafone, NOS, or MEO, you can purchase a Portugal SIM card at convenient stores, including Pingo Doce, Lidl, and major airports like Humberto Delgado Airport in Lisbon.
To purchase a SIM card, you’ll need to show your passport and choose one of the available internet plans in Portugal for tourists.
Prices range from €10 (~$13) to €43 (~$47), and some bundles include unlimited data, texts, and calls.
Here’s a quick breakdown of what Portugal’s mobile operators offer:
Provider | Data | Texts | Calls |
---|---|---|---|
Vodafone | Up to 20 GB monthly with Vodafone Travellers Unlimited monthly with Vodafone Go Total | 500 SMS with Vodafone Travellers Included as additional top-ups | 500 minutes with Vodafone Travellers Included as additional top-ups |
NOS | Unlimited data only plans for up to 35 days Up to 100 GB on monthly limited plans | Not included in data-only plans Up to 1,000 SMS monthly | Not included in data-only plans Up to 1,000 minutes monthly |
MEO | Up to unlimited data monthly | 3,500 texts to unlimited minutes monthly | 3,500 minutes to unlimited minutes monthly |
Roaming in Portugal
Using roaming in Portugal is a good option for plans with built-in roaming, but not so much if you’re on a plan without a roaming allowance.
You can rely on roaming passes or pay-as-you-go rates, which can cost you up to $12 daily or $10/MB, depending on your provider.
Let’s explore the different roaming options to get mobile internet in Portugal:
USA roaming in Portugal
Provider | Roaming pass | Pay-as-you-go |
---|---|---|
T-Mobile roaming in Portugal | Roaming passes range from $5 to $50 Up to 15 GB of high-speed data with unlimited calls and texts on Experience Plans | T-Mobile doesn’t have pay-as-you-go rates; you have to use roaming passes |
Verizon roaming in Portugal | $12 daily with unlimited data, text, and calls | $1.79/minute, $0.50/text, $2.05/MB |
AT&T roaming in Portugal | $12 daily with unlimited data, text, and calls | $2/minute, $1.30/text, $10.24/MB |
UK roaming in Portugal
Provider | Roaming plans | Roaming pass | Pay-as-you-go |
---|---|---|---|
Three roaming in Portugal | Free roaming on Value and Complete plans for up to 56 days, £2 daily if you spend all roaming passes £2 daily on the Advanced and Lite plans with your local allowance | £5 to £24 to unlock your local allowance for up to 14 days | Go Roam passes from £10 to £31.50 monthly to unlock up to 30 GB of mobile data, unlimited texts and calls |
O2 roaming in Portugal | Free roaming in Portugal | Free roaming in Portugal | Free roaming in Portugal |
Vodafone UK roaming in Portugal | Free roaming on eligible plans | £2.57 daily to unlock up to 25 GB of data and unlimited texts and calls | Get an extra for £9.60 to £12.75 to get up to 3 GB, 100 minutes, and 200 texts |
EE roaming in Portugal | Roam Like Home on eligible plans | From £2.59 for a day to £21.50 for 12 days with your local allowance | Roam Like Home passes from £2.50 to £10 to unlock your local allowance for up to 7 days |
Canada roaming in Portugal
Provider | Roaming pass | Pay-as-you-go |
---|---|---|
Bell roaming in Portugal | $16 CAD daily to unlock your local allowance $70 for 14 days with your local data allowance and unlimited calls and texts | $2.50/minute, $0.99/text, $8/MB CAD |
Rogers roaming in Portugal | $18 CAD daily to unlock your local allowance $70 CAD to unlock your local allowance for 14 days $80 CAD to unlock your local allowance for 30 days | $2/minute, $0.75/text, $15/20 MB CAD |
Telus roaming in Portugal | $18 CAD daily to unlock your local data allowance and unlimited calls and texts | $2/minute, $0.75/text, $5/MB CAD |
Australia roaming in Portugal
Provider | Roaming pass | Pay-as-you-go |
---|---|---|
Optus roaming in Portugal | $5 AUD/day for 5 GB and unlimited texts and calls | $1.50/minute, $0.50/text, $1/MB AUD |
Telstra roaming in Portugal | $10 AUD/day for 2 GB and unlimited texts and calls | $2/minute, $0.75/text, $3.00/MB AUD |
Vodafone AU roaming in Portugal | $5 AUD/day to use your local allowance | $1/minute, $0.75/text, $1/MB AUD |
Public WiFi in Portugal
It’s easy to find public WiFi in Portugal, especially in cities like Lisbon and Porto, where places such as Rossio Square or the Biblioteca Municipal Almeida Garrett offer free WiFi.
You’ll also find free connections in many squares and local cafés, but these networks aren’t secure for long-term use. Consider getting an eSIM for Portugal for better security and faster speeds.
Pocket WiFi in Portugal
A pocket WiFi is a small portable router that helps you share internet with other devices, making it a good option for larger groups or remote workers.
However, using a pocket WiFi in Portugal can cost you over $100 a week on limited data plans, as final pricing includes delivery fees, add-ons like chargers, and you can even face penalties if something happens to your device.
Instead, you can turn your mobile phone into a portable router, allowing you to access the internet in Portugal on all your devices without limitations, thanks to Holafly Plans.
For $64.90 monthly, you get unlimited data, unlimited hotspot data, 5G data speeds, 24/7 customer support, and coverage in over 170 destinations with one eSIM.
What is the best way to get internet in Portugal?
Getting an eSIM is the best option to get internet access in Portugal. You reduce costs, get a private connection, forget about data limits, and it’s cheaper than other alternatives.
Roaming is an affordable option for UK travelers, as they have built-in roaming plans. However, roaming costs are high for travelers from the US, Canada, and Australia.
A physical SIM card is a good option if you have a SIM-only phone, but it falls short on eSIM-only devices, as you won’t be able to get an internet connection on your trip.
Pocket WiFi devices are a good option for larger groups or remote workers who need to share data, but the daily data limit, high pricing, and other fees turn this into a less reliable option.
Lastly, free WiFi is a good alternative to save money, but you won’t always have access to an open hotspot, which significantly limits your internet usage.
That said, the easiest way to use your mobile phone in Portugal is with eSIM cards, as they ensure good internet access, safer connections, and lower prices compared to other alternatives.
Option | Hotspot sharing | Security | Support | SIM unlock required | Physical installation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Public WiFi | Yes | Open network, unsafe | No | No | No |
Pocket WiFi | Yes | Private network | Varies depending on your rental company | No | Yes |
Local SIM | Yes | Private network | Through the local carrier | Yes | Yes |
Roaming | Varies | Private network | Through your home carrier | No | No |
If you need internet access on just one device, an eSIM for Portugal will do the work. But if you need internet on several devices, Holafly Plans is your go-to for unlimited mobile data and other top-tier benefits.
Planning an Eurotrip? Find out how to get mobile internet in other European destinations:
- Internet in Poland
- Mobile internet in Europe
- Mobile internet in France
- Mobile internet in Italy
- Mobile internet in Spain
Internet in Portugal – Frequently asked questions
Portugal’s internet speed and service are among the best in the European Union. Thanks to the use of fiber optic networks, service quality has improved significantly.
Internet pricing in Portugal will significantly vary depending on your network provider. UK visitors have lower prices, with daily pricing starting at £2.59, while US travelers can pay over $10 for a roaming pass.
To access mobile internet in Portugal, you have several options, including purchasing a data SIM card, renting a pocket WiFi device, using roaming, relying on free WiFi, or using an eSIM. The best option for your trip will depend on your specific needs.
Yes. Travelers can access 5G internet as long as their smartphone is compatible with it. 4G LTE networks are also available.