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Roaming in Portugal: Costs, plans, and alternatives
Roaming in Portugal can be costly. Compare roaming costs and see how to stay connected abroad for less with an unlimited data Holafly eSIM.
Using roaming in Portugal is a default option for many travelers. However, a single MB can cost up to $10.24, meaning 100 MB will cost you over $100.
Therefore, it is better to look for international roaming options to avoid paying over $100 to check some Instagram stories.
This guide explores the different options for staying connected abroad, such as a travel eSIM, roaming cost, and money-saving tips for your trip.
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Roaming costs in Portugal
Roaming in Portugal pricing will significantly vary depending on where you’re traveling from.
For US travelers, 1MB can cost you $10.24 when using pay-as-you-go plans from AT&T. For UK carriers, pricing will vary based on your plan, as some include built-in roaming.
Let’s take a quick look at how roaming works for the main carriers in the US and UK.
Roaming costs in Portugal for US travelers
Let’s explore how Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T offer their roaming services in Portugal.
| Provider | Roaming pass | Pay-as-you-go |
|---|---|---|
| Verizon roaming in Portugal | $12 daily with unlimited data, text, and calls | $1.79/minute, $0.50/text, $2.05/MB |
| T-Mobile roaming in Portugal | $5 to $50 for up to 30 days with up to 15 GB of data, unlimited text and calls | Use roaming passes |
| AT&T roaming in Portugal | $12 daily with unlimited data, text, and calls | $2/minute, $1.30/text, $10.24/MB |
Note: T-Mobile Experience plans offer built-in roaming for Portugal at no extra cost.
Roaming costs in Portugal for UK travelers
Roaming is a bit different for UK travelers, as some local carriers offer free roaming on their plans.
Here’s what you should consider for roaming in Portugal with your home carrier:
| Provider | Roaming pass | Pay-as-you-go |
|---|---|---|
| EE roaming Portugal | Roam Like Home 7-day Pass – £10 Roam Like Home 24-hour Pass – £2.50 | Roam Like Home 7-day Pass – £10 Roam Like Home 24-hour Pass – £2.50 |
| O2 roaming Portugal | Use your local allowance for free | Use your local allowance for free |
| Three roaming Portugal | £7 daily on the Advanced and Lite plans with your local allowance Free roaming on Value and Complete plans 3 to 14 days roaming passes for up to £49 with your local allowance | £2/minute, 0.35p/text, £6/MB |
| Vodafone roaming Portugal | £2.57/day to unlock your texts, calls, and up to 25 GB aside from domestic rates | Buy an extra from £9.60 to £12.75 to get 3 GB and up to 100 minutes and 200 texts for 8 days |
However, there are some details to consider if you’re a Three or Vodafone user.
- Vodafone: If you bought your plan before 11 August 2021, you can use up to 25 GB of free roaming in Portugal per month.
- Three: If you’re a Complete plan user, you can get up to 56 days of free international data roaming.
Get unlimited data for less in Portugal with Holafly
Roaming services can be pretty expensive, and even for UK users, it all comes down to which plan they’re using.
The best option is to use an eSIM and forget about roaming fees when traveling to Portugal.
With an eSIM for Portugal, you get unlimited mobile data with plans starting at $3.90/day, or £3.79. Depending on how long you stay, it can cost as little as $1.55/day, or £1.29.
Plans also include up to 500 MB of hotspot data per day, 24/7 customer support, an easy activation process, and no additional fees.
Plus, if you’re traveling around the European Union, you can rely on an eSIM for Europe to get these benefits while still saving money on international roaming.
Avoid excessive roaming fees
Don't get caught out by data roaming charges in Portugal. Use local networks at local rates.
How to avoid roaming charges in Portugal
Roaming internationally can be quite expensive, especially on pay-as-you-go plans. But there are ways to avoid additional charges when you’re abroad.
- Get a SIM card for Portugal: Using a local SIM card is an ideal option for SIM-only phones. Plans in Portugal range from €10 (~$13) to €43 (~$47) and can include up to unlimited mobile data, making it cheaper than roaming.
- Use free WiFi: Using free WiFi will help you control roaming charges, but it’s not the safest option, especially if you’re planning to work or access private information. Use it only when necessary.
- Rent a pocket WiFi for Portugal: If you’re visiting Portugal with friends or need to connect multiple devices simultaneously, a pocket WiFi is a good option. However, it can cost up to $49/day, so using Holafly Plans is a better alternative, as it’ll cost you $2.16/day with unlimited data, unlimited hotspot data, and coverage in 170 destinations.
- Turn off data roaming: The easiest way to avoid surprise charges when visiting Portugal is to turn off data roaming. But if you do this, ensure you get an eSIM to stay connected during your trip.
Portugal roaming vs. eSIM for Portugal
Staying connected in Portugal using international roaming sounds like a good option for UK visitors. However, depending on their plan, roaming charges are still worth considering.
Roaming services are pretty expensive for US travelers, especially if you’re on a pay-as-you-go plan. Ten megabytes can cost over $100.
That’s why using an eSIM for Portugal, or Holafly Plans, is a better alternative to roaming. You get unlimited mobile data, unlimited hotspot data, and coverage in more than one destination.
An eSIM you can rely on
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Traveling somewhere else in Europe? Find out how much using international roaming can cost you.
- Roaming in Andorra
- Roaming in Europe
- Data roaming in France
- Roaming in Italy
- Data roaming in Spain
- Roaming in the UK
- Roaming in Portugal
FAQ
You’ll definitely need data roaming in Portugal. As soon as you land at your destination, you might need a translator, use maps to move around the country, and much more.
Roaming charges in Portugal depend on your mobile provider. UK carriers have cheaper rates than US ones, but you’ll still pay to use international roaming.
Plans that may interest you
I first started my content creation journey as a freelancer in 2019, before connecting with Holafly in 2021. At Holafly, my travel and tech interests come together in one place as I craft high-quality articles about the eSIM and related markets. My content aims to help travelers stay connected, wherever they are.
