NOS SIM Cards & eSIM for Tourists: Price and Where to Buy

Harper Thomas

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Latest update: August 2026

NOS is one of Portugal’s three major mobile networks alongside MEO and Vodafone. Independent testing consistently puts it at or near the top for speed and coverage. In this article, you will know what a NOS SIM or eSIM actually costs, how the network performs, where to buy one, and a faster alternative if you’d rather skip the store visit.

Who Is NOS in Portugal?

NOS is one of Portugal’s major telecom giants, holding about 35% of the mobile market share according to regulatory data from ANACOM. The brand took its current name in 2014 following a merger between ZON and Optimus, so you might still see “Optimus” pop up on older travel forums or network lists.

With around 98% nationwide population coverage, NOS offers a signal that remains strong even when traveling outside big cities into rural areas like the Douro Valley or Alentejo.

How Good Is NOS’s Coverage and Speed?

NOS is the strongest overall performer among Portugal’s three carriers. According to Opensignal’s Mobile Network Experience Report for Portugal, NOS won both coverage-specific awards, Availability and 5G Reach, meaning its users get a usable signal more consistently and in more of the places they actually go than MEO’s or Vodafone’s users. NOS also won 6 award categories outright and tied for 7 more overall, more of the awards than either rival.

On the table above, the first three rows are coverage, how often and in how many places you actually get a signal. The rest is speed, how fast that signal runs once you have it. While MEO edges out slightly on 5G download speed, NOS handles daily tasks like video calls, streaming, and gaming better than its competitors.

Can Tourists Buy a NOS SIM Card?

Yes. All you need is a passport; no Portuguese tax number (NIF) is required for a prepaid SIM. A NIF is required solely for long-term contract plans.

The activation process usually takes just a few minutes in-store, and the SIM works right away.

Where Can You Buy a NOS SIM Card?

NOS SIM cards are sold at NOS stores in every Portuguese city and at Fnac and Worten electronics stores, but not at an airport counter. If you land at Lisbon, Porto, or Faro, the only mobile operator with a store in the terminal is Vodafone.

• Airports: Not NOS. Lisbon, Porto, and Faro airports each have exactly one telecom counter, and it’s Vodafone, not NOS or MEO. If you want data the moment you land, buy a Vodafone SIM at the airport or activate an eSIM before your flight, then switch to NOS in town later if you prefer.
• NOS stores: At least one in every Portuguese city, from Lisbon and Porto down to smaller towns. Use the store locator at nos.pt to find the closest one.
• Electronics retailers: Fnac and Worten also stock NOS prepaid SIM cards, so you don’t have to find a dedicated NOS store if one of those is closer.
• Online: NOS lets you order a SIM for free home delivery, but the order form asks for a Portuguese NIF and a Portuguese delivery address, so it’s built for residents rather than visiting tourists.

Airport counters occasionally charge higher rates than city-center locations. If immediate data access upon arrival is not critical, buying a SIM in downtown Lisbon or Porto can help save on costs.

Does NOS Offer eSIM for Tourists?

Yes. NOS has supported eSIM since 2019, and setup takes about the same few minutes as a physical SIM: sign up online or in-store, and you’re connected without swapping a card.

If you prefer to set up mobile data before traveling, Gigago’s Portugal eSIM connects automatically to NOS, MEO, and Vodafone’s networks, whichever gives the best signal at your location, with no identity verification required. The plans run from 1 to 30 days, starting at $2.00, and the QR code arrives by email within minutes of purchase so you can install it before you leave home. The eSIM is data-only but you can still call and text through apps like WhatsApp instead of a phone number.

How Much Does a NOS Prepaid Plan Cost?

NOS prepaid plans run from about €5 for a small long-validity data pack up to about €40 for an unlimited hotspot bundle. A typical 30-day tourist SIM costs around €15.

Prices and promotions change often, so confirm current pricing at the website nos.pt or in-store before you buy.

Is NOS Good Enough, or Should You Consider a Different Network?

Based on the numbers above, NOS is the safest overall choice for reliable speeds and coverage across Portugal.

MEO remains a solid alternative if peak 5G speeds matter most, while Vodafone currently trails both in independent testing.

FAQs about NOS in Portugal

Conclusion

NOS is a safe, well-tested default for mobile service in Portugal, and buying a prepaid SIM as a tourist takes just a passport, no NIF, and a few minutes at a store or airport counter. If you’d rather arrive already connected, Gigago’s Portugal eSIM covers the same three major networks with no identity verification needed.