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Portugal hit 30 million tourists in 2024. Most of them needed maps, translations, and Uber just to get through day one. Public WiFi exists in Lisbon and Porto, but it's slow, insecure, and useless the moment you leave the main squares.
Pocket WiFi works everywhere the mobile network does, and in Portugal, that's almost everywhere. It's not perfect, but it's one of the best options out there. Here's how it works and which providers are worth your money.
Pocket WiFi is a small, battery-powered device (about the size of a smartphone) that holds a local SIM card and connects to nearby 4G or 5G towers. Once it's switched on, it creates a private WiFi network that your phone, laptop, or tablet can join, just like connecting to any other WiFi.
For travelers in Portugal, the appeal is straightforward. Most pocket WiFi units support five to ten devices at once, which makes them ideal for couples, families, or groups of friends sharing one rental. You don't need to swap out your SIM card or worry about whether your phone is unlocked.
There are a few things to keep in mind:
Even with these considerations, pocket WiFi remains one of the most reliable ways for travelers to get online without dealing with foreign SIM cards or sketchy public networks.
Here are six leading pocket WiFi rental options available to travelers visiting Portugal, covering a range of budgets and needs:
Hippocketwifi has earned a strong reputation among European travelers, with over 350,000 customers and consistently high ratings. The service offers unlimited 4G/5G data across more than 40 European countries, including Portugal.
The device supports up to 10 simultaneous connections, making it practical for families or small groups. Battery life covers a full day of moderate use.
Pricing starts from €3.95/day, which makes it one of the more affordable options for medium to longer trips. Delivery is flexible: you can receive the device at home before departure or at your accommodation in Portugal. Returns are handled with prepaid shipping envelopes.
The main downside is that fair use policies can apply during very heavy usage, which may result in temporarily reduced speeds.
My Webspot offers coverage in over 130 countries, making it a solid choice for travelers whose trips extend beyond Portugal. Instead of a flat daily rate, it uses a "day pass" system at $12.90/day, which includes 1GB of high-speed data. After that, speeds are reduced until midnight local time.
The device supports up to 5 devices and comes with a two-year warranty. Shipping is fast (48 hours), and you can manage your rental through an online dashboard.
The higher price point makes this less competitive for Portugal-only trips, but it's excellent for multi-country travelers who need global coverage.
Travelers WiFi offers portable WiFi rental in Portugal with prices starting from €8.25/day. The device supports up to 5 simultaneous devices and provides battery life of 10–12 hours, enough for a full day of sightseeing.
Delivery options include hotel delivery, pickup at a local post office, or worldwide shipping to your home address. Returns are simple: drop it at a rental location, any post office, or even a mailbox if you're in Europe.
No deposit is required, which is a nice perk. Another advantage: you can change your rental dates for free within 12 months if your travel plans shift.
XOXO WiFi emphasizes security and smart network switching. The device automatically connects to the strongest available carrier in Portugal, which helps maintain reliable speeds as you move around the country.
Pricing starts from around €9/day. The service offers unlimited data, but high-speed usage is capped between 500MB and 5GB daily depending on your chosen plan. After that, speeds drop to 512 kbps, which still handles messaging and maps but struggles with video.
Devices are delivered by courier 2–3 days before departure, and returns use prepaid shipping envelopes. You can also purchase the router outright if you travel frequently.
Wifivox is a European-focused provider that covers Portugal with unlimited 4G data. The daily rate is around €10/day, with discounts available for weekly and monthly rentals.
The pocket WiFi supports up to 5 devices and has a battery life of roughly 8 hours. Delivery is available to hotels, airports, or home addresses, and returns are handled through prepaid envelopes or drop-off points.
Coverage extends across Europe, so if you're visiting multiple countries on the same trip, Wifivox can stay with you without extra setup.
Solis offers global pocket WiFi coverage in 140+ countries, including Portugal (explicitly listed in their Europe Regional coverage). You can purchase a hotspot device and then choose from flexible data plans with no contracts.
The Global Daypass costs around $9/day, while the Global Unlimited Data Subscription runs about $99/month. There's also a pay-per-GB option starting around $6/GB for lighter users. Every Solis hotspot now includes a Lifetime Data Plan with 1GB of free global data per month.
The device connects up to 10 devices simultaneously and offers 16+ hours of battery life. The Solis X model doubles as a power bank. No SIM cards or configuration needed, just turn it on and connect.
The main downside is you need to purchase the device first (starting around $119 for the Solis Lite), which makes it better suited for frequent travelers rather than one-time visitors.
| Provider | Price/day | Devices | Battery | Data | Best for |
| Hippocket WiFi | From €3.95 | Up to 10 | Full day | Unlimited | Groups traveling Europe |
| My Webspot | $12.90 | Up to 5 | Full day | 1GB fast + unlimited slow | Global multi-country trips |
| Travelers WiFi | From €8.25 | Up to 5 | 10–12h | Varies | Flexible bookings, no deposit |
| XOXO WiFi | From $9.00 | 8–10 | Full day | 500MB–5GB fast | Security-conscious travelers |
| Wifivox | From €10.00 | Up to 5 | ~8h | Unlimited 4G | Europe-wide coverage |
| Solis | From $9.00 | Up to 10 | +16h | Daypass, unlimited, or pay-per-GB | Frequent travelers (device purchase required) |
Pocket WiFi offers a convenient way to stay connected while exploring Portugal, but it's not perfect for everyone. Here's what you need to know:
If carrying an extra device doesn't appeal to you, an eSIM is the simplest alternative. These digital SIM cards install directly on your phone via QR code, no physical card to swap, no device to carry or return. Here are three top eSIM providers for Portugal:
Holafly is a favorite among travelers who want unlimited data without tracking gigabytes. Plans are duration-based (5 to 90 days), starting around $19.50 for 5 days of unlimited data.
Airalo is the budget-friendly option, offering prepaid data bundles at very competitive prices. Plans range from $4.00 for 1GB (3 days) up to $35 for 50GB (30 days). Currently they don’t offer unlimited options for Portugal.
Nomad offers both capped and unlimited options, making it flexible for different travel styles. Capped plans start at $4.50 for 1GB (7 days), while unlimited plans go from $11 for 3 days to $31 for 10 days.
| Provider | Price from | Data model | Best for |
| Holafly | $19.50 (5 days) | Unlimited (1–90 days) | Heavy users who want worry-free data |
| Airalo | $4.00 (1GB / 3 days) | Bundles (1–50GB) | Budget-conscious travelers |
| Nomad | $4.50 (1GB / 7 days) | Bundles + unlimited options | Multi-country European trips |
Pocket WiFi rentals range from €4–10 per day depending on the provider. For longer stays, a local SIM or eSIM is cheaper at €15–25 for 2–4 weeks of data.
MEO, Vodafone, and NOS are Portugal's three main providers, all offering strong coverage in cities and tourist areas. Vodafone and MEO generally perform best in rural regions and the islands.
Yes, free WiFi is available in most cafés, hotels, airports, and shopping centers. However, it's often slow, unreliable, and unsecured, which is not ideal for banking, work, or streaming.
Vodafone and MEO offer the best tourist SIM options with good coverage and easy top-ups. For even simpler setup, eSIMs from Holafly, Airalo, or Nomad let you activate data before you land.
Our mission is simple: to make sure you never have to ask, “What’s the WiFi password?” again. All our tips come straight from personal experience — because we’d never recommend something we haven’t put to the test ourselves.
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