Best Portugal SIM Cards for Tourists: Detailed Guide

Latest update: June 2024

If you are planning to travel to Portugal, looking for the best way to stay connected during your trip is essential. Though there are many options to get Internet access while traveling, we highly recommend getting Portugal SIM cards which allow you to download apps for contacts and access social media, and more.

Let’s see why you should choose a prepaid SIM card in Portugal, where to buy, which provider has the best and fastest 4G/5G network in Portugal, how much does it cost, and which are the best plans for tourists. And, you also get our recommendation – what is surely helpful for your trip.

Good to know:

Portugal is one of the cheapest European tourist destinations.
Prepaid Portuguese SIM cards are cheap and easy to get.

In this article

I. Where to Buy a Tourist SIM Card for Portugal?

Here are 04 options to buy a tourist SIM card for Portugal with details:

1. Buy physical SIM online before departure

How: Order online on provider website 1-2 weeks before visiting and wait for SIM delivery or pick up at Portugal airports.
Requirements: Just need address to ship SIM to
Cost: SIM price (€10-20), sometimes shipping fees apply
Convenience: High as SIM arrives before travel. No need to buy upon arrival.
Pros: Easy process, use SIM right away.
Cons: Cannot change plans on arrival.

2. Buy at airports after arrival

How: Purchase at SIM kiosks at Lisbon or Porto airport after passing customs
Requirements: Valid passport for identification
Cost: SIM price (€10-20). No shipping fees.
Convenience: Quick and easy on arrival (but possibly require queuing).
Pros: Change plans if needed on arrival.
Cons: Expensive that buying online or in city-center stores, less plans to choose, risk of not being able to buy SIM if kiosk / stands at airports close ( if arriving late at night).

3. Buy in cities of Portugal

How: Purchase at operators’ stores in major cities like Lisbon, Porto, Faro
Requirements: Valid ID for verification
Cost: SIM price (€10-20). No shipping fees.
Convenience: More locations than airports. Possible to get help at stores.
Pros: Change plans at stores. See available plans in-person.
Cons: Extra travel to stores.

4. Buy eSIM online

How: Order eSIM online from providers before travel
Requirements: Smartphone compatible with eSIM
Cost: SIM price (€5-15). No shipping/hardware.
Convenience: High as eSIM loads directly to device. No physical SIM handling.
Pros: Instant activation, flexible plans, no waiting for SIM delivery.
Cons: Limited to eSIM-supported devices.

▶ Our recommendation:

If you need Internet access instantly right upon arrival and without hassle, choose buying eSIM online. No waiting for SIM delivery, no queuing in stores, no swapping SIM card. Just a few clicks and you get the eSIM in your phone, activate it by scanning the QR code, and use right after landing in Portugal airports.

II. What Are The Best SIM Cards for Tourists?

There are 03 major mobile network operators in Portugal:

MEO (PT Móvel)
NOS
Vodafone Portugal

To decide what is the best Portugal SIM card plans for tourists, let’s see what plans these operators offer:

1. Buy Portugal MEO SIM Card Plans and Price

€10-15/$10-15 for 1-2GB of data and local calls/SMS. Recharge credits are valid for 30 days.
5GB of data, unlimited calls and SMS within Portugal for €15-20/$15-20 per month.
10GB for €20-25/$20-25 or 20GB for €30-35/$30-35.

2. Buy Portugal NOS SIM Card Plans and Price

Start at €10/$10 for 5GB data and includes 500 minutes and 500 SMS valid for 30 days.
10GB data for €15/$15 per month with 1000 minutes and 1000 SMS.
20GB data are available for €20/$20 per month.

3. Buy Portugal Unicom SIM Card Plans and Price

€10/$10 for 6GB data and 600 minutes/600SMS valid for 30 days.
15GB data for €15/$15 per 30 days with 1500 minutes and 1500 SMS.
30GB are available for €20/$20 per 30 days

Notes:

Tourism SIM cards do not require identification or registration like resident plans. Just purchase and activate.
Prepaid credits can be topped up online or from retail stores.
The plan name and details are subjected to change over time. To get the most updated prices and related info, please contact your chosen network carrier.

III. Do I Need to Buy a SIM Card for Portugal Travel?

Yes.

A SIM card comes with many advantages over other connectivity options such as pocket WiFi, free WiFi, and roaming.

Here we give a comparison table on each way of connection in Portugal:

Criterias	Free WiFi	Pocket Wifi	Roaming	Portugal SIM Card
Features	Free public WiFi access. No data plan.	Mobile WiFi hotspot for rent. Comes with a data plan.	Use your regular SIM card but will be charged high roaming fees.	Local SIM with data plan and Portugal number.
How it Works	Connect to free public WiFi when available.	Rent a pocket WiFi device. Connect all your devices to its WiFi hotspot.	Turn on roaming on your regular SIM. Data and calls will route internationally.	Buy a prepaid SIM in Portugal. Activate and start using.
Where to Get	Available at coffee shops, restaurants, hotels and tourist sites. No purchase required.	Rent from airport or online vendors.	Use your existing SIM.	Buy from mobile stores, airports, convenience stores.
Cost	Free.	Approx. €50-100 for 1-2 weeks rental.	Very expensive roaming fees per MB.	Inexpensive starter SIMs from €5-10.
Convenience	Inconvenient to find and connect. Slow speeds.	One device for all. Hassle to return.	No local Portuguese number. Slow speeds. High charges.	Fastest, control data use. Local contact, maps etc.
Privacy	Public network, security concerns.	All your devices share one hotspot connection.	Regular SIM, no changes to plans/number.	Standalone local connection, separate from home.

▶ Our recommendations: As a tourist, you should:

Get a Portuguese SIM card for the fastest, most affordable and most convenient option. SIM card provides private local connection without VPN needed and hassle of pocket WiFi rental.
Consider bundles with larger data only if you plan to use extensive internet.

IV. What to Prepare to Buy Prepaid SIM cards in Portugal?

When purchasing a prepaid SIM card in Portugal, make sure to have your passport with you. The store will copy your passport, and the SIM card, along with your new Portuguese phone number, will be registered under your name and passport number. It’s essential to note that without your passport, you cannot buy a prepaid SIM card in Portugal due to EU regulations.

Alternatively, you can bypass this registration requirement by opting for an international SIM card or an eSIM for Portugal. These options allow you to stay connected without the need to register with your passport.

V. What Types of Portugal SIM Cards Are Available For Tourists?

Types of Portugal SIM cards & eSIM

Portugal travel SIM card is available in 02 types: prepaid SIM card and prepaid virtual SIM card (eSIM).

Here is details about each SIM card type:

1. Prepaid physical SIM cards

A SIM card you insert into your phone that comes with a prepaid data plan.

How it works: You buy from a mobile store, they activate and you can immediately start using.
Cost: Plans start from €5-10 for basics. Around €10-15 for 1-5GB data usually.
Suitable for: Anyone with an unlocked GSM phone. Short trips or explorers.
Pros: Immediate use. Wide availability. Local calls/texts included usually.
Cons: Need to swap SIMs if visiting other countries.

2. Prepaid eSIM cards

What it is: A virtual SIM loaded directly onto your eSIM compatible phone.
How it works: Order online, get activation QR code, scan and you’re connected in Portugal.
Cost: Similar to physical SIMs but some larger data only options available.
Suitable for: Anyone with an eSIM compatible phone. Multiple country trips.
Pros: No swapping SIMs. Wider data bundles. Order before the trip from home.
Cons: Not all phones support eSIM yet. Slightly higher cost than physical SIM.

▶ Our recommendation:

For most tourists visiting Portugal for a short trip, a prepaid data-only physical SIM card purchased would be ideal. It’s low cost, very easy to use, and readily available everywhere in Portugal.

However, if the phone is eSIM-equipped, a prepaid data-only eSIM can be a good alternative to eliminate all hassles associated with the physical one (swapping, inserting, removing, waiting for SIM delivery if buying online or going to stores). See an up-to-date list of eSIM supported devices.

VI. Portugal eSIM – Alternative to Physical SIM Cards to Get Internet in Portugal

It can deny the benefits of eSIM for travelers. This digital SIM is ideal for anyone with compatible mobile devices.

Here are some key reasons to buy Portugal eSIM for your upcoming trip:

Hassle-free setup. No waiting for a SIM to arrive. Just scan the QR code you get instantly by email and you’re connected right away.
Reliable connections. The eSIM uses Portugal’s fast LTE networks like Vodafone. I streamed lots of videos and maps with no issues everywhere I went.
Save money. eSIMs don’t cost extra roaming fees.
Flexible data options. You can choose plans with different amounts of data for how much you think you’ll use. Or add more later if needed.
Coverage everywhere. I had connectivity while exploring cities and top tourist spots all over Portugal.
Keep your normal SIM. The eSIM let me still get calls/texts on my regular number too.
Gigago’s plans are much cheaper than paying roaming fees with your home network carrier.

There you understand how beneficial an eSIM can be. But which eSIM provider to choose?

It is essential to choose the eSIM provider that offers plans suitable for your needs.

GIGAGO is highly recommended. It is one of the best eSIM providers in the world that has many plans catering different needs of travelers. For Portugal, the Gigago plans start from a 3-day plan with 300MB per day for $5 $3.00 . They also have 5-day, 7-day, 10-day, 14-day, 15-day, 20-day, 25-day, 28-day, and 30-day plans ranging from 1GB to 50GB of data, with prices from $5 up to $136.90.

Regardless of your trip duration and your data usage, Gigago has it all.

Gigago Portugal eSIM - Portugal SIM cards — Gigago Portugal eSIM plans for tourists

Indeed, using Gigago’s Portugal eSIM made traveling there really seamless and affordable. Setup was a breeze and never worrying about WiFi was great. To see more details, visit Portugal eSIM by Gigago.

VII. How long does a tourist SIM card last in Portugal?

A tourist SIM card in Portugal typically lasts for 30 days. For example, a Vodafone prepaid SIM card with 10 GB of data, 500 minutes or SMS, and 30 international minutes costs €20 and lasts for 30 days. Similarly, a LycaMobile SIM card with 4 GB of data, 500 international minutes, and 100 SMS text messages costs €10 and also lasts for 30 days.

VIII. How to Use Portugal Prepaid SIM Cards and eSIM

1. Using prepaid Portugal tourist SIM Cards

Below are simple steps to use Portugal SIM cards for tourists:

Purchase a prepaid SIM card from before your trip. Choose a data package suitable for your needs
Insert the SIM card – Turn off your phone and insert the SIM. Turn your phone back on
Activate the SIM card by following any included instructions. You may need to enter a PIN initially.
Update phone settings. Go to your phone’s wireless settings. Turn on cellular data and roaming if needed.
Select the network provider associated with your SIM card.
Use your phone as normal.
Top-up if needed
Remove SIM before leaving to avoid further roaming charges.

2. Setting up and activating Portugal eSIM

Here are simple steps to use a Portugal tourist eSIM card:

Check if your phone is unlocked and supports eSIM. You can check your device specifications or contact your device manufacturer to confirm.
Choose a Portugal mobile network carrier that offers eSIM services. Check their eSIM plans and price.
Choose the eSIM plan for Portugal from a prestigious eSIM provider (like Gigago) that fits your needs
Make a payment and wait for a few minutes to get the QR code or activation code in the registered email
Access the eSIM settings: go to Settings, and look for the text related to cellular or eSIM settings.
Add eSIM by using your phone’s camera to scan the QR code or import activation code manually to activate the eSIM plan
Set the eSIM as secondary SIM based on your preference.
After the eSIM is setup, test it by browsing the web to make sure data is consumed and your phone works properly.

X. FAQs

What is the best network in Portugal?

The main networks are Vodafone, MEO and NOS. All have great coverage throughout the country.

Should I get a SIM card or eSIM for Portugal?

Either option works well. eSIM activation allows you to instantly stay online but physical SIMs are cheaper for long trips. Consider your phone compatibility too.

How much data do I need when traveling Portugal?

It depends on how you plan to use your phone. 1GB would let you check maps/emails but heavier users may want 3-5GB or unlimited.

Will my Portugal SIM work if I travel elsewhere in Europe?

Portuguese SIMs include roaming within the EU/EEA so you can use your data allowance while visiting other European countries too.

What do I do if I lose my Portugal SIM card?

Contact your provider’s customer service line right away to report it lost/stolen so the number can be suspended to avoid unauthorized use.

XI. Conclusion

In conclusion, using a . is highly recommended for tourists. Both regular SIMs and eSIMs have benefits.

Regular SIMs provide fast and reliable data on Vodafone, MEO or NOS networks across Portugal while eSIMs are convenient if your phone supports it. Whichever option you pick, a local Portugal SIM means stress-free travel. Don’t miss out – be prepared with a SIM.