Buying a SIM card for Portugal: The complete guide

Why is it a good idea to buy a prepaid SIM card for Portugal?

When you purchase a prepaid SIM card for Portugal, you’ll be able to access the internet, and depending on your plan, you may be able to make calls and send SMS texts back home. We’re getting a bit ahead of ourselves, but you can actually make calls and send texts for free without a local phone number from a SIM card. Plus, when your quads are burning from trekking the hilly streets of Lisbon to find the best pasteis de nata in the city, you’re going to want to have Google Maps handy. This is just one scenario you might need mobile data during your travels. When you get a prepaid SIM for Portugal, you can also:

Call, text, and get data on the cheap*. Making calls and sending texts overseas can rack up quite the bill from your carrier. Some prepaid SIM cards give you a local phone number to make domestic calls and send texts within the country. Depending on your plan, you may also be able to make international calls and send texts from abroad. 

*However, you can use free apps like WhatsApp or Signal to send texts and make calls as long as the recipient has a smartphone and has these apps downloaded. In this case, you can look for a data only SIM card for Portugal. However, if you want to reach a grandparent who only has a landline, then it’s best to get a SIM card with a local number. 

Avoid shockingly high roaming fees. Picture this: You’ve settled in after having the time of your life in Portugal and you receive the notification “You’ve incurred $300 in international roaming charges.” If you’re out of the loop, many carriers charge a flat fee for international data usage per day. In this case, it doesn’t matter if you scroll Instagram for five minutes or three hours while you’re abroad — the cost will be the same. Most prepaid SIM cards give you much cheaper data than these carrier rates from your home country. 

Stay connected across Europe. With some prepaid Portugal SIM cards, you can use data in other European countries. If you plan on hitting other popular tourist destinations in the continent, this option may save you some money since you won’t have to purchase another international SIM card. 

Skip fees for “free” public Wi-Fi. Although some shopping malls and train stations do provide free (albeit slow) Wi-Fi, it’s usually more convenient to go to a local coffee shop to get online. Not sure how many lattes you can handle per day, but you’ll have a bad case of the jitters if you have to pay for a coffee every time you want to Google something. 

Stay safe online. Did you know that hackers sometimes set up fake networks to impersonate public Wi-Fi networks so they can steal your data? Unfortunately, unsecured networks might pose real cybersecurity risks. With a Portugal prepaid SIM card, you won’t have to resort to unsecured networks for internet access. 

Now that you know all the benefits of SIM cards, let’s take a look at three of the top Portuguese SIM card providers. 

Best SIM card providers in Portugal

When searching online for the best SIM card for Portugal, you’ll consistently find three providers: MEO, Vodafone, and NOS. Travelers celebrate MEO for its wide national coverage (which includes Azores and Madeira) and large selection of data plans to choose from. Vodafone is a tried and true network provider around the world with reliable service and competitive rates. NOS is another option with good coverage and budget-friendly data plans. 

Let’s get to the important part — how much does a prepaid SIM card for Portugal cost?

Local SIM card prices in Portugal

The average Portugal SIM card price for tourists is between €20-25 for a month of data, but it depends on the package you go with. Prices also depend on whether you choose a tourist SIM card or a regular SIM card that isn’t specifically designed for tourists. Keep in mind that you may have to present ID and sign some paperwork if you go with the latter option. 

Network providers like MEO Portugal and NOS Portugal also offer “pay-as-you-go” SIM cards, which give you the option to top up on data as you need rather than offering a fixed amount. 

Here’s a breakdown of the tourist SIM card packages offered by three of Portugal’s major providers:

*Past travelers report that 5G coverage is pretty poor in Portugal compared to other countries in Europe. 

How to buy a SIM card for tourists in Portugal

You can buy a Portugal travel SIM card either in person or online. If you plan on purchasing a tourist SIM card in person, make sure you have your passport on you because according to EU laws, some providers  require you to present ID and fill out paperwork. Let’s take a look at all your options for purchasing a SIM card for Portugal.

Buy a SIM card for Portugal at the airport

If you want to sort out your cellular data the moment you land, you can buy a Portugal SIM card for tourists at Porto or Lisbon Airport. Both Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) and Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO) have kiosks and vending machines that sell Portugal SIM cards. 

Visit a SIM card operator’s store in Portugal

Another way to buy a SIM card in Portugal is by visiting your nearest MEO, Vodafone, or NOS store. These can be found in shopping malls or in multiple districts of Lisbon and other cities. Make sure to check their store locators to find the closest store to you. 

Go to a SIM card reseller in Portugal (convenience store)

Many convenience stores sell Portugal prepaid SIM cards around the country. Look for signs like tabacaria (Tobacco store) or loja de conveniência (convenience store). If you’re having trouble finding one yourself, you can ask the shopkeeper if they have prepaid SIM cards behind the counter. Don’t fret if you don’t speak Portuguese — English is widely spoken in the country!

Find a Portugal SIM card at a supermarket

Supermarkets like Continente, Pingo Doce, and Intermarché typically have sections for tourist SIM cards. Plus, you can use the opportunity to pick up some piri-piri to enjoy at home!

Order a SIM card for Portugal online

Ordering a prepaid SIM card online is a great option for travelers who want their mobile data solution planned well ahead of time. However, you may run the risk of your SIM not arriving on time and having to resort to plan B. Some carriers give you the option to order a prepaid SIM card online, while carriers like Vodafone direct customers to visit a flagship store if they want a physical SIM card. If you’re already thinking of ordering a Portugal SIM card online, you should consider an even more convenient online option for finding mobile data. 

Take a look at the next section for our favorite mobile data solution for Portugal!

Best option for getting mobile data in Portugal: An eSIM

Our top recommendation for getting affordable mobile data in Portugal is to buy an eSIM. eSIMs, aka virtual SIM cards, are like SIM cards without the physical card. You get all the same benefits of a traditional SIM card without the hassle it takes to get one. All you need to do is download an eSIM app, choose a data plan, install the eSIM, and activate your plan. eSIM services like Saily make this process even easier for you because your data plan will automatically activate when you arrive in Portugal. 

With an eSIM, you can avoid the drawbacks of SIM cards and enjoy the following benefits instead:

• Skip lines. Unless you’re buying a SIM card online, you’ll have to physically go to a store or wait in line at the airport. 

• Get instant mobile data. If you order a SIM card online, you’ll have to wait for it to arrive before inserting it and activating the data plan. Instead, you can get online in minutes by downloading an eSIM app and purchasing a plan. 

• Dodge the paperwork. You may have to fill out forms and present your ID when buying a SIM card from a flagship store in Portugal. With an eSIM app, all you need is a debit or credit card and you’re good to go!

• No risky business. Having a physical SIM card means you can lose or damage it and that it can be stolen. A stolen SIM can especially put a damper on your trip if scammers use it to verify your phone number and get ahold of your banking info. 

• No swapping out SIMs. With an eSIM, you won’t be stuck fiddling with a tiny card to delicately insert into your phone. Not only can this be cumbersome, but it also increases your chances of losing or damaging your regular SIM card. 

Portugal just so happens to be one of the most budget-friendly tourist destinations in Europe. Don’t burn through your budget with high international roaming fees or unnecessarily expensive data options. Try an eSIM for Portugal instead! 

Do you really need a SIM card for Portugal?

No, you don’t really need a prepaid SIM card for Portugal in our humble opinion. Although prepaid SIM cards may be appealing because they come with a local phone number, you no longer need a local number to reach loved ones back home thanks to free apps like WhatsApp and Messenger. If you and the person you’re messaging both have an Apple device, you can also use iMessage or FaceTime to get ahold of each other. All you need to use these free apps is reliable internet, which is something you can get with a data-only eSIM. 

SIM cards are also less convenient than eSIMs and tend to be more expensive. You’ll need to spend time searching for a Portuguese SIM card in person or ordering one online and waiting for it to ship to you. On the other hand, you can just download an eSIM app and get a mobile data plan in minutes. 

Long story short — eSIMs help you save money and time. Instead of getting a prepaid data SIM card for Portugal, consider downloading an eSIM app. 

Enjoy your Iberian getaway!