Portugal SIM card: How to stay connected while traveling

Lisbon calling! Dreaming of sipping wine at sunset with a view straight out of a Portugal travel guide?

If you are traveling to Portugal and need to stay connected all the time (because who can resist those Instagrammable moments), you will need the best SIM card for tourists. No need to panic! 

We tell you everything you need to know about prices, features, advantages, and where to buy it.

We provide all the essential details about prices, features, benefits, and the best places to buy.

Plus, to make your travel even smoother, we also discuss eSIMs for Portugal—an ideal solution for staying connected without the hassle of physical SIM cards. 

So, stick around! By the end, you’ll be ready to explore Portugal like a local, sharing every jaw-dropping moment of your aventura—as the Portuguese say. 

Vamos começar!

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Where can I buy a Portugal SIM Card?

Whether you’re walking through Lisbon’s vibrant streets or exploring the Douro Valley, having a reliable internet connection is non-negotiable.

After all, how else will you find those hidden restaurants, book last-minute tickets, or share your perfect sunset snap?

 Here are a few ways you can buy your SIM card for Portugal:

• Get it before you fly: why wait? Order a SIM card online before you even pack your bags. You’ll be ready to post that “Just landed!” pic the moment you step off the plane.
• Pick one up when you land: if you’re more of a “let’s wing it” traveler, you can grab a SIM card at the airport or any city center store. Just look for a local telecom shop. And hey, you might even impress the shopkeeper with your freshly learned “Olá!”—at least you’ll get a smile, even if it doesn’t come with a discount!
• Buy an embedded SIM (eSIM): hate dealing with tiny SIM cards? Go digital with an eSIM. Just buy it from an online store (like Holafly), follow the steps and bam—you’re connected. 

Don’t worry, we’ll cover each of these options in detail in the next sections, so you’ll know exactly how to choose the best one for your trip.

How to buy a tourist SIM card in Portugal

Now that you know your options, let’s break down how to actually get your hands on a tourist SIM card in Portugal.

Whether you’re the type to plan every detail or the “I’ll figure it out when I get there” traveler, each option has its perks and a few things to watch out for. 

Buy your prepaid Portugal SIM card before you travel

If you’re the type who likes to have everything sorted before you board the plane, this might sound like a good idea. You can browse options, compare prices, and pick a plan that fits your budget. 

But let’s be real: this option isn’t always perfect, especially if you’re a last-minute packer. The biggest catch? Waiting for delivery.

If your SIM card doesn’t arrive on time, you’re out of luck and might have to scramble for a local option when you land. 

Also, make sure your phone is unlocked and compatible with the SIM card—nothing kills travel vibes faster than realizing your phone won’t work with it.

Once you’ve got your SIM card in hand and arrive in Portugal, the setup is pretty simple.

Insert the SIM into your phone, follow the activation instructions—usually just a quick call or text—and you’re ready to roll. You’ll be able to make phone calls in Portugal, send texts, and use data like a local.

Remember, once you’re in Portugal, your SIM card will connect to a local Portuguese network to function. This means the quality of your connection—how strong your signal is and how fast your data loads—depends entirely on the local network’s coverage and speed. 

To avoid issues like slow internet or dropped calls, choose an international SIM card that partners with reliable networks in Portugal, such as Vodafone, NOS, or Orange (more on these later). 

Also, watch out for potential downsides like data limits and roaming charges. Some international SIM cards may have lower data caps or unexpected fees, so it’s important to read the fine print. 

Pros of buying a data plan for abroad before traveling

Buying a SIM card before your trip to Portugal will give you benefits like:

• Immediate connectivity. With your SIM card and data plan already set up, you’ll be connected the moment you land. No need to scramble for WiFi at the airport or hunt down a local SIM card provider. You can call that ride, find your hotel, or start sharing your journey as soon as you arrive​. 
• Time-saving.  Instead of wasting valuable vacation time in line at an airport kiosk or searching for a mobile store, you’re free to dive right into your trip. Whether it’s hitting the beach, exploring a new city, or finding that first café for a coffee fix, you’ll be ready to go from the moment you arrive​.
• No language barriers. Even if you’ve nailed a few Portuguese phrases from an online crash course, asking for a SIM card at a local shop might be confusing. You could end up with a plan that’s not exactly what you wanted, simply because technical terms can get lost in translation.
• Tailored to your needs. Whether you need lots of data for maps and streaming or just the basics, you can compare options and choose what works best for you—no pressure, no rush​.

But if you’re more of a “let’s wing it” traveler who enjoys a bit of spontaneity, buying your SIM card once you’re in Portugal could be just your style.

Buy your tourist prepaid SIM card in Portugal

You can use the local phone stores to buy and install your local prepaid SIM card in Portugal. This process, of course, must be done once you are in the country, and if you are a first-time visitor finding a store can be complicated. 

Major airports, such as Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport and Porto Airport, feature kiosks and stores from leading mobile network providers like Vodafone, NOS, and MEO.

So, this can also be a buying option—although these kiosks or SIM card vending machines tend to be more expensive than some of the alternative ways on this list. 

It’s also important to mention that you often need your passport on hand for the purchase, registration, and activation of the SIM card as per EU laws.

This means the staff will need to copy your passport details for registration. 

There are no restrictions in Portugal on the amount of SIM cards you can buy, which is great if you need one for different devices or are traveling with a group.

But we can tell you that the services are not exactly cheap, as airport kiosks and tourist shops often charge extra for the convenience they provide.

Also, the SIM cards sold at airports usually come with smaller data packages, meaning you might end up paying more for less data.

If you plan to use your phone a lot—whether it’s for navigating, making calls, sending texts, or staying connected online—it’s worth comparing prices.

Next, we’ll look at some major phone companies, the prepaid SIM cards and data services they offer for tourists in Portugal

6 best international SIM card companies in 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 list some of the top international SIM card companies that offer great options for travelers in Portugal.

1. O2 Go Card

O2 is a major telecommunications company based in the United Kingdom and the Go Card is a prepaid SIM card specifically designed for tourists visiting European countries.

Major entry points have stores where you can buy an O2 SIM card. However, prices at the airport might be higher than in the city.

One of O2’s key features is its EU roaming benefit. This means if you have an O2 plan, you can use your data, make calls, and send texts across Europe, including Portugal, at no extra cost up to a certain limit (usually 25 GB).

This is a great option if you want to stay connected without worrying about extra charges while moving between EU countries.

They offer plans with perks like data rollover, where unused data can be carried over to the next month, and rewards such as cashback on top-ups (includes unlimited calls & texts):

• 10 GB for €12 ($13 USD)
• 30 GB for €18 ($20)
• 50 GB for €23 ($26)

The company also offers flexible pay-as-you-go plans and contract-free options. Here are some of the bundle plans with unlimited calls and texts:

• 8 GB for €12 ($13)
• 25 GB for €18 ($20)
• 40 GB for €23 ($26)

However, some users have reported issues with how their credit is handled in the bundle plan. 

If you top up your SIM but start using data, making calls, or sending texts before your bundle is fully activated, your credit might get eaten up by standard charges.

This leaves you with less credit than you expected, meaning you might not have enough to activate the plan you wanted.

In simple terms, if you’re not careful, you could accidentally spend your credit before your bundle kicks in, leaving you stuck with a more expensive basic tariff. 

Note: O2 does list this disclaimer on their website, so be sure to read the fine print and wait for your bundle to activate before using your phone.

2. Three’s Data Pack

Three’s Data Packs are flexible mobile data options available for Pay As You Go customers in the UK. They offer plans for 30 days validity like:

• 15 GB for €12 ($13) with unlimited minutes and texts
• 75 GB for €18 ($20) with unlimited minutes and texts
• 100 GB for €16 ($18) with the flexibility to auto-renew
• Unlimited Data for €37 ($41) for those who need constant data usage

All these packs include access to Three’s 5G network at no extra cost, and you can use your allowances for roaming in 71 destinations, including Portugal, without extra charges​. 

While the Three+ app makes it easy to manage your plan, some users report technical issues.

In some cases, users have been charged multiple times without receiving the data pack, or experienced delays in activation, leaving the pack stuck in “pending”.

Some users express  challenges with data not working even after purchase. 

But don’t worry too much—if you hit any of these stops, Three’s community forum is a great place to ask questions.

It’s always helpful to hear how others have solved similar problems while you wait for customer service to step in.

3. Orange

Orange is a globally recognized mobile network provider. You can easily buy an Orange SIM card from major airports like Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport and Porto Airport.

One of their most popular plans is the ‘Orange holiday Europe prepaid SIM’ with 20 GB of 4G/LTE data for 14 days at around $49.99. 

If you need more data, you can opt for: 

• 30 GB data at €45 ($49.90) for 14 days with calling and texting benefits and 10 extra gigabytes of data
• 16 GB data at around €23 ($25.99) for 28 days with 100 GB of data exclusively for use in Spain

While Orange’s SIM cards, particularly the Orange Holiday SIM, are popular among travelers, they do come with some issues.

Users have reported sudden drops in 4G connectivity after initial use, making it unreliable at times.

Activation problems are also common. For example, one user noted that their SIM, bought in France, did not work in Switzerland because it needed to be activated in France.

4. Vodafone Portugal

This is a well-known company in Europe that offers prepaid plans with its Vodafone Travelers package.

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

Here’s a look at some of the popular plans: 

• 5 GB for 7 days at €10 ($11)
• 15 GB for 30 days at €15 ($17)
• Unlimited Data for 24 hours at €3 per day ($3)
• 15 GB + 150 mins local calls for 30 days at €20 ($22)

In case you run out of any of the services, such as data or minutes, you can purchase additional packages and top-ups through their website or customer service numbers. 

And if you’re crossing the border for example, from Portugal to Spain, remember to switch on roaming on your phone.

If you don’t, your SIM won’t work outside Portugal, even though Vodafone’s plan includes EU-wide roaming.

It’s a simple step, but forgetting to enable roaming can leave you without service when you need it most.

5. Lycamobile

Another alternative that you have as a tourist is Lycamobile and its local SIM card for Portugal without contracts. Within this type of plan, there are three options available:

• 5 GB data + unlimited calls and texts for €10 ($11)
• 10 GB data + 1000 national minutes and texts for €20 ($18)
• 15 GB data + 2000 national minutes and texts for €25 ($28)

The service includes roaming to other EU countries at no additional cost.

You must activate the auto-renewal function in order to buy, and it should be noted that the messages, minutes, and data that you don’t use within the period will not be accumulated for the next month. 

However, Lycamobile users have reported issues with activating their SIM cards, with some experiencing delays in service activation or difficulties registering their SIM through the app or website.

Plus, customer service has received mixed reviews, with users mentioning long wait times and challenges in getting help, particularly if they don’t speak Portuguese.

6. NOS

This is one of Portugal’s leading mobile network providers with  2G, 3G, 4G/LTE, and 5G networks. 

Their plans come with a validity of 30 days and different data limits like: 

• 5 GB Data + 1,000 minutes/SMS at €10 ($11)
• 10 GB Data + 1,000 minutes/SMS at €20 ($22)

With an additional monthly fee, you can access 5G networks that offer more speed.

Users love that NOS SIM cards can be activated right away at their stores, which is great for travelers who need instant connectivity. 

But if you’re using a dual SIM phone and want to switch from a physical SIM to an eSIM, you might face some delays.

Here’s why: converting a physical SIM to an eSIM often requires help from NOS staff, and if your SIM is bundled with other services (like home internet), the eSIM activation might be held up until those services are fully set up.

So, if you need everything up and running fast, it’s something to keep in mind!

How much does a prepaid SIM card for Portugal cost?

Prepaid SIM cards in Portugal typically range from $8 to $40. While there are several carriers to choose from, most plans offer a 30-day validity, which might not suit shorter trips.

Now, if you’re more of a “I need it quick and easy” type of traveler, the Holafly eSIM might be your best alternative.

You can get connected in minutes without worrying about swapping SIM cards. Just a few taps on your phone, and you’re good to go!

Let’s take a look at the costs and benefits of an eSIM alternative for Portugal.

Using an eSIM as an alternative for a Portugal SIM card

eSIM stands for embedded SIM—meaning it exists virtually within your cell phone, if it is compatible.

The eSIM technology allows you to easily switch between carriers like Vodafone, Orange, or MEO, without the need for a physical SIM card.

This means, when activated, your eSIM for Portugal will keep you connected wherever there is a solid network presence.

Connectivity made easy

Activate your Portugal eSIM in a few simple steps and manage your plan through our dedicated app.

Buy eSIM for Portugal

When you purchase an eSIM plan, the provider sends you a QR code which allows the eSIM to download the necessary network settings and activate your data plan. 

You can get an eSIM from the Holafly website and the Holafly app (available for iOS and Android). Holalfly offers virtual SIM cards with coverage options in 200+ countries.

If your trip takes you beyond Portugal, this can definitely be a great option. And if your phone is compatible, you don’t have to look for another solution—you’ve just found it! 

Let’s take at some advantages and disadvantages that go with an eSIM in Portugal.

Advantages and disadvantages of virtual SIM cards

As you plan your travels, understanding the benefits and limitations of an eSIM can help you make an informed decision about staying connected.

Advantages:

• Activation in minutes and easy to use. eSIMs can be activated—from anywhere in the world. If you own an iPhone with iOS 17.4 or later, you can automatically install and activate your eSIM through the Holafly app without scanning a QR code. However, if you’re using an Android device or an older iOS version, you will still need to scan the QR code sent to your email for activation—which can take around five minutes. 
• Data for the whole trip—end to end. All Holafly data packages for eSIM in Portugal include unlimited data. This way, you will always have mobile internet to stay on the go
• Multi-country options. In case your adventure takes you beyond Portugal, Holafly also offers arguably the best eSIM for Europe that covers 40+ destinations with unlimited data.
• Top-up options. It’s easy to underestimate your data needs especially when you rely heavily on your phone. With the Holafly app, you can quickly add more data to your eSIM. This way, you avoid the hassle of finding local SIM cards or relying on unsafe public WiFi connections.
• Global subscriptions. Choose between three global eSIM subscription plans (Unlimited Data, 25 GB, or 10 GB). A perfect option if Portugal is just one stop on a European trip, or if you’re looking to settle down in Portugal and don’t get have a local SIM.

Disadvantages 

• Reduced device compatibility. While eSIMs are convenient, not all phones are compatible with them. If you need help verifying the compatibility of your phone, you can check Holafly’s updated list to find yours.

How much does a Holafly eSIM card for Portugal cost?

Currently, the travel eSIM for Portugal has customizable day plans from 1 to 90 days, the following are some of the available plans:

Recommendations to choose the best SIM card for Portugal

Whether you’re on a digital nomad visa or a business trip, here are some practical tips to help you choose the best SIM card, or eSIM for your trip: 

• Assess your needs: Determine your primary use for the SIM card or eSIM (data, calls, SMS), how much data you’ll need, and the duration of your stay.
• Skip buying your SIM card at the airport: It might seem convenient, but those prices are sky-high!
• Turn off your data plan when you’re not using your phone: This little trick keeps you from burning through your data plan too quickly, so you have plenty left when you need it most—if you’re going for a limited plan!
• A little preparation goes a long way: Before you pack your bags, make sure to check the latest travel requirements and recommendations. Websites like the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union, and Development Cooperation Ministry have up-to-date information.

Your Portugal SIM card saga just got an upgrade!

So, you’ve made it to the end of your Portugal SIM card saga. Congratulations! You’re now ready to choose a plan that won’t leave you high and dry (or data-less). And, if you’re looking for a hassle-free option Holafly eSIM 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 quick as you can say: Pastel de nata!

Stay connected, stay curious, and enjoy Portugal!

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Based in Mumbai, Sharan Kaur Phillora has 6+ years of experience in the B2B writing industry. She has written for brands like Pocket52, Nexweave, Maze, NaNLABS, and Userpilot. When she's not working, Sharan can be found immersed in murder mystery novels or exploring Mumbai's streets on her bicycle in search of the perfect slice of pizza.

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