How to Buy a SIM Card at Lisbon Airport & City: Best Plans + Updated Price

Harper Thomas

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Latest update: June 2024

Getting connected with mobile data when traveling internationally can be challenging. Purchasing a local SIM card is often the most convenient and cost-effective option. This guide provides tips for buying a SIM card at Lisbon Airport upon arrival (LIS).

I. How to Get a SIM Card at Lisbon Airport (LIS)?

Purchasing a SIM card upon airport arrival is a traditional way for travelers to get connected abroad. There are two options for getting a Portuguese SIM card at Lisbon’s airport:

• Buy online ahead of travel and pick up at the airport
• Purchase at a store/kiosk in the airport upon arrival

The main advantage of buying at the airport is convenience – you can get connected quickly when you land. However, airport shops tend to charge higher prices and may have a more limited selection compared to stores in the city.

Overall, purchasing a SIM card in the airport is best for travelers who prioritize getting connected quickly on arrival or have short airport layovers. Those staying longer can often save money buying a SIM card from carriers in the Lisbon city center area.

II. Where to Buy a SIM Card at Lisbon Airport?

If you did not preorder online, the other option is to directly buy a SIM card at one of the provider shops or kiosks in the Arrivals area.

The main SIM card providers with stores at Lisbon airport is Vodafone.

• Location:
  • Before Security: Terminal 1 – arrivals, Terminal 1 – Departures
  • After Security: Terminal 1 – baggage
• Opening hours:
  • Before Security: 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM, 08:00 AM – 05:00 PM
  • After Security: 06:00 AM – 09:00 PM
• Contact: +351 808 919 191

There are also a few smaller reseller booths that offer SIM cards from Lycamobile.

Location: After Security – Non Schengen T1

Opening hours: 07:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Contact: +351 218 413 698

Buying directly at the airport can be fast if stores are not too busy. Having a sales rep help get your new SIM card working is convenient. However, airport outlets tend to have pricier call/data rates compared to stores in Lisbon city center. And inventory may be out of certain SIM card types upon arrival.

III. Do SIM card shops at LIS airport open after midnight?

No, SIM card shops at LIS airport do not open after midnight.

Based on the information provided:

• Vodafone stores at Lisbon Airport close at 11:00 PM (before security) and 9:00 PM (after security).
• Lycamobile reseller booths close at 10:00 PM.

Therefore, if you arrive after midnight, you won’t be able to purchase a SIM card at Lisbon Airport.

IV. Best Tourist Lisbon Airport SIM Cards Price

The two major network providers with stores at Lisbon’s Airport are Vodafone and MEO. A few third party retailers also offer SIM cards from other smaller Portugal carriers.

Here is an overview of recommended SIM card options for short-term visitor usage at Lisbon airport:

Vodafone Portugal

As the largest national carrier, Vodafone has reliable connectivity across Portugal plus 4G speeds up to 150 Mbps. Their Tourist SIM card plans at Lisbon Airport include:

• 10 GB data in Europe + 500 minutes/sms + 50 international minutes/sms for 30 days = €25 EUR – $27 USD
• Unlimited data (no EU data roaming) for 30 days (hotspot available) = €35 EUR – $38 USD

Vodafone prepaid plans can renewed/topped-up during your trip to get additional minutes or data as needed. Their network has excellent coverage even when traveling into rural regions of Portugal.

Be sure to compare latest pricing and bundles across providers when purchasing at the Lisbon Airport SIM card stores. Most plans can be renewed online when initial data allowance expires.

III. What to Prepare for Getting a SIM Card at Lisbon Airport – Registration Process

When registering for a prepaid Portugal SIM card, you have to prepare some requirements whether you preorder online or directly purchase at the Lisbon Airport shop:

• SIM Card Size – Have your phone readily available. Stores carry different size SIMs (Standard, Micro, and Nano). Most smartphones today require a Nano SIM.
• Unlock Device – Your phone may need to be network unlocked for a foreign SIM card to function. This is common with devices purchased on contract plans in countries like the USA. Confirm your phone is unlocked beforehand.
• Passport – To register a prepaid SIM card in Portugal, you will need to provide official photo ID. Passport is required even when prepurchasing online ahead of arrival.
• Activation Costs – There is usually a one-time SIM card activation fee of around €15. Plus you must load an initial prepaid data bundle which start around €5-10. Ensure you have sufficient cash or a credit/debit card that works internationally.
• Tax Number – Some carriers may ask for additional ID like a tax identification number. As a foreign tourist, you can supply your passport number instead.

Registering for a prepaid mobile data plan is fairly quick and straight forward at the Lisbon Airport shops compared to some other European countries. But do your research beforehand on carrier rates and technical compatibility with your device. This ensures your new Portuguese nano-SIM works immediately upon activation.

V. Portugal eSIM for Lisbon – an Alternative to Prepaid SIM Card at Lisbon Airport 

In addition to physical nano-SIM cards, adopting eSIM technology is increasing in Portugal. eSIMs are embedded digital SIMs programmed remotely on your phone without needing to insert a plastic chip card.

Purchasing a Portugal eSIM activation code online is an alternative to buying a traditional prepaid SIM card after arriving at Lisbon’s Airport.

Choosing an eSIM carrier for your unlocked phone offers these advantages:

• Convenience – Activate data plan remotely before arrival. No airport store visit needed.
• Multi SIM Capable – Use your physical SIM card + an eSIM simultaneously.
• Reusability – Portugal eSIMs save payment info making it easy get connected on return trips.

So if you have an eSIM compatible device, a mobile data eSIM can be more convenient than hunting down stores selling plastic SIM cards upon arrival.

One top provider of tourist eSIM in Portugal is GIGAGO. Rather than traditional monthly contracts, their pay-as-you-go plans offer maximum flexibility for travelers.

For Portugal, Gigago offers multiple data plan options, starting from 1 GB for 3 days with $3.00 . What is great about Gigago’s Portugal eSIM is that its plans’ costs are diversifying, varying between $3.00 – $95.90 . Thus, it does not matter how Internet users you are and how long your trip is in Portugal, there is always an option for you with Gigago.

GIGAGO Portugal eSIM tourist plans provide reliable connectivity with no long-term commitments required. As an alternative to old-fashioned physical SIM cards, flexible eSIM helps keep digital nomads and jetsetters connected across Europe.

VII. FAQs

Conclusion

Getting mobile data on your smartphone via Portugal SIM card can keep travelers conveniently connected while visiting Lisbon Airport (LIS) and surrounding region. Purchasing a prepaid SIM card upon airport arrival or ordering ahead for pickup is quick and provides connectivity right after landing. However, longer staying visitors can often save money buying SIM deals from city stores instead.

With this guide detailing logistics of acquiring prepaid SIM cards at the Lisbon Airport, globetrotters can stay efficiently connected when touching down in Portugal.