SIM Card Guides

Portugal SIM card: How to stay connected while traveling

Getting a Portugal SIM card is one way to stay connected. Explore the best options, including a digital alternative, and where and how to buy a prepaid SIM card.

Dreaming of sipping wine at sunset with a view straight out of a Portugal travel guide? You’ll need to stay connected to find all the best spots. One way to do this is by getting a Portugal SIM card for tourists and instant access to mobile data, calls, and texts. You can also avoid high roaming charges, especially if Portugal isn’t part of your current mobile plan.

In this article, we tell you everything you need to know about Portugal SIM card, including how and where to buy SIM cards for tourists, prices, packages, and digital alternatives like unlimited data travel eSIMs — an ideal solution for staying connected without the hassle of physical SIM cards.

In this article

Where to buy a Portugal SIM card?

Generally, you have two options for getting a SIM card for Portugal: order it online before you travel or pick one up after landing. Both have advantages and disadvantages, and depend on how quickly you’d like to be connected to the internet.

Buy a Portugal prepaid SIM card online before you travel

To ensure instant internet access in Portugal as soon as you land, purchase an international SIM card before you leave. Here are some third-party retailers offering delivery to the USA and Canada:

SimOptions: Portugal SIM cards operating on MEO, Vodafone, and NOS networks (Portugal’s primary mobile operators)
Telestial: Prepaid Portugal SIM cards that come with free shipping and flat Portugal rates
SimCorner: Portugal travel SIM cards with fast shipping to North America

Buy your tourist prepaid SIM card in Portugal

If you’d rather purchase a SIM card in Portugal in person, you’ll find some readily available options upon arrival and as you explore locally.

Airports

Lisbon Airport: Vodafone and MEO kiosks and stores in Terminal 1
Porto Airport and Faro Airport: Vodafone and MEO desks near baggage claims

Local stores

Official provider stores: MEO, Vodafone, and NOS stores in city centers
Supermarkets: Pingo Doce, Contintente, and Intermarche
Convenience shops: Tabacarias
Currency exchange booths

How much does a SIM card cost in Portugal?

Depending on the provider and data package, prepaid SIM cards in Portugal typically cost $8 USD to $40. Basic prepaid SIM cards in Portugal with modest data allowances start at around $8-15, while more generous 10-30 GB data plans, local minutes, and EU roaming range between $20–40.

Prices vary based on whether you want data-only plans, voice/text packages, or unlimited data, so it’s worth selecting a package that matches your expected usage, stay duration, and travel needs.

Best SIM cards for Portugal

Whether you’re looking for a plan with plenty of data, affordable call rates, or reliable coverage across Europe, you must pick a provider that meets your needs. In this section, we’ll look at some of Portugal’s top mobile network providers, including Vodafone, MEO, and NOS.

Vodafone SIM card for Portugal

With strong 4G and expanding 5G coverage, Vodafone Portugal is appreciated for its network performance in urban areas like Lisbon and more remote locations.

Here’s a look at some of their prepaid SIM plans for tourists:

Vodafone Travellers: 20 GB, 500 minutes and SMS, and 50 international minutes for €20 (~$23) and 30-day validity
Vodafone Go Total 30 days: All data included to use in Portugal + top-ups available (€10-30) for €34.99 (~$38)

MEO SIM card for Portugal

MEO is one of Portugal’s largest and reliable mobile networks, offering strong network coverage and easy access to prepaid SIM card options for tourists in Portugal. Here are a few SIM card plans from their website suitable for shorter vacations:

Enjoy Card: Mobile internet for 10 days with all data traffic included for €15 (~$18)
Card M: 5 GB, 1000 minutes, and SMS for €10 (~$13)
Card M Livre: Calls and SMS to all networks in Portugal for 30 days for €2.50 (~$5)
MOCHE card: 100 GB, 10,000 minutes, 1,500 texts to MOCHE and MEO networks, 250 texts to all other networks for €12 per month (~$15)

NOS SIM card for Portugal

This is one of Portugal’s leading mobile network providers with 2G, 3G, 4G/LTE, and 5G networks. They offer tourist-friendly plans, including data, calls, and SMS. Here are a few of their SIM card plans for tourists in Portugal:

10 GB, 500 minutes, and SMS for €20 (~$23) with a 4-week validity
10 GB, 1,000 minutes, and SMS for €29 (~$31)
100 GB, 1,000 minutes, and SMS for €43 (~$47)
Unlimited data for €15 (~$18) for 15 days
Unlimited data for €35 (~$38) for 35 days

How to buy a local SIM card in Portugal: What you’ll need

Before purchasing a prepaid SIM card in Portugal in person, whether at the airport, city store, or convenience shop, there are a couple of things to keep in mind for a successful purchase. Here’s what you’ll need:

Valid passport and/or visa
Passport copy (most providers will retain a copy of your passport ID page)
Unlocked phone (ensure your device is carrier-unlocked to accept a Portugal SIM card
Correct SIM size for your phone (nano, micro, and standard)
Payment methods (keep local currency along with credit/debit cards)

While buying a Portugal SIM card in person might sound simple, the process can take longer than expected, something you don’t want to go through, especially after a long flight at a busy international airport.

You’ll need to present your passport due to EU laws, amongst other documents, and ensure your physical SIM card is installed correctly and activated before leaving the store. This can be a hindrance if you’re eager to use your mobile apps, Google Maps, or even share photos from popular tourist destinations.

An ideal alternative is opting for a virtual SIM or eSIM. With eSIMs, you can avoid the delays, paperwork, and SIM swapping. The activation process is as simple as scanning a QR code and paying for your eSIM online before arrival. No need to search for kiosks at airports or convenience stores and wait in long lines.

Skip the sign-ups and lines with Holafly’s eSIM for Portugal

So, you’ve made it to the end of your Portugal SIM card saga. If you’re looking for a stress-free option with a minimal sign-up process and unlimited data, Holafly’s eSIM for Portugal is your best choice.

With no physical SIM to fuss with, you can activate your plan in five minutes (or less) and enjoy seamless connectivity as quickly as you can say: Pastel de nata!

Enjoy seamless coverage across Portugal without visiting official stores, swapping a physical SIM card, or dealing with high roaming charges. All you need is an eSIM-compatible phone.

Another great thing about choosing Holafly’s eSIM for Portugal is that you can match your plan to your vacation and never pay for more than you need. Here are some potential eSIM plans that you can go for; remember, the duration is up to you:

5-day trip to Portugal: $20.90 for unlimited data
10-day trip to Portugal: $36.90 for unlimited data
15-day trip to Portugal: $50.90 for unlimited data

Extending your trip beyond Portugal into Europe? Grab one of Holafly’s eSIMs for Europe, and enjoy unlimited data in 40 European countries, including Portugal.

On the other hand, if you’re planning a long-term stay in Portugal, Holafly Plans, a monthly eSIM subscription service, might be a better fit with unlimited data for only $64.90 monthly.

Check out our other guides on how to buy and what the best options are for:

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Mahnoor Bangush

SEO Content Writer

Born and raised in Queens, New York, I'm a Psychology graduate with a passion for writing that I've been nurturing since 2019. Over the years, I've enjoyed creating meaningful content across various niches, including sports, hospitality, and career development. At Holafly, I focus on crafting useful and inspiring pieces to make your adventures more effortless. One of the best perks of this role? Creating travel content always seems to inspire my next vacation destination!

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