Find out what is the best data sim cards to Vietnam and have the internet on your trip. Advantages, ...
Imagine landing in Portugal, your phone buzzing as you step out of the airport, ready to share the views and navigate to your hotel. But none of it can happen without an internet connection. The right SIM card can keep you reachable from the moment you arrive in Portugal.
You can purchase a SIM from local providers like MEO, Vodafone, and NOS, but it’s a tiresome process since you have to visit a store. Our recommendation is to buy a SIM before traveling so you can connect to the Internet when you land. You can simply purchase a virtual SIM online from a provider like Holafly. They offer unlimited data plans depending on how many days you plan to stay.
In this article, we’ve discussed the pros and cons of SIMs from different providers in Portugal and answered some questions towards the end.
Nowadays, the most viable option for tourists or travelers is to buy SIM cards before arriving at their destination; these chips can be found in online stores. We all know the advantages that this type of purchases offer; an almost automatic system through web pages, a quick buy with different payment methods available, and free deliveries to your home! A world of possibilities from your comfort.
Another way, and perhaps more common, is to buy SIM cards for Portugal once you arrive in the country. Of course, you should know which cellular carriers operate there, look for a physical store or representative near your place of arrival and take the necessary precautions before buying it.
You may be wondering why you should consider buying SIM cards before your trip. Well, this way is very easy. Online stores offer these chips remotely, so if you are anywhere in the world and plan to travel to Portugal, you can make the purchase, wait for the SIM Card to arrive at your home and you will be prepared to have no connection problems once you are at your destination.
If you are worried about waiting or that the delivery of the SIM Card will be delayed, international eSIM Cards are most likely your alternative. More about this new technology later.
Nowadays, there are many providers with which you can buy a SIM card for Portugal, and in turn, plenty of plans and services to select from each one, the costs of this type of SIM card are always related to the data package you choose and the duration of the plan.
If you know the duration of your trip and have an idea of your cellular data usage, you can select a plan that suits you. For Portugal, costs can range from $5 for 1 GB and seven days of service as a basic plan, from $20 to $40 for plans between 3-6 GB, and 15-30 days of service for more consolidated plans and up to $90 for 90 days plans for longer stays.
As well as, there are SIM card providers for Portugal remotely with online stores. You also have the possibility to buy your SIM card once you arrive in the country with local cellular operators.
Telecommunications in Portugal has a good market. This gives rise to three major competing companies; these are MEO, Vodafone, and NOS. Each with advantages and disadvantages that we will mention below.
It is the cellular provider with the most subscribers in Portugal, making it the most popular. It not only offers cellular services but also has in its product range local fixed lines, internet, and television.
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
If you have already heard of Vodafone, it is because this company has had a strong presence in the European market for years. The Portuguese country is no exception, and Vodafone has become the biggest competitor at the moment.
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
In terms of customers, NOS is considered the third most important in Portugal. Being a smaller company, it has good coverage but lower performance than the two previous ones.
Advantage:
Disadvantages:
The digital evolution of the SIM card is called eSIM Card. As its name suggests, it is an entirely virtual service which means that it does not need a physical chip inserted in your phone. To use the eSIM Card, you just have to buy them through online stores, such as Holafly, receive a QR to scan, and then simply, in a couple of minutes, activate your eSIM for Portugal on your phone. That way, you will be connected to the internet without any problems.
Of course, it is important to mention that this new technology is not present in all cellular devices. We invite you to check a couple of requirements before making your purchase:
The eSIM Card is not only a functional and practical alternative, but in numerous instances, it also represents lower costs for its users in terms of plans and services. Here is a list of the costs of Holafly's eSIM for Portugal:
| Days of use | Amount of cellular data | Price (USD) |
| 5 days | Unlimited data | $20.90 |
| 10 days | Unlimited data | $36.90 |
| 15 days | Unlimited data | $50.90 |
| 20 days | Unlimited data | $61.90 |
| 30 days | Unlimited data | 74.90 |
| 60 days | Unlimited data | $106.90 |
| 90 days | Unlimited data | $139.90 |
Holafly eSIM for Portugal Pricing Table
We have reached the end of this article, and we hope you have learned everything about the best SIM card for internet connection in Portugal. However, before we finish, we would like to leave you with some frequently asked questions that travelers tend to have about this service:
The rates charged by cellular operators for roaming service in Portugal usually vary a lot depending on the operator you use. However, in most cases, the price per MB charged is around $7 to $15.
No. Once you’ve finished your data plan, recycle it. The card cannot be re-used.
Nowadays, there are many alternatives with which you can connect to the internet during your trip to Portugal, such as the SIM card and eSIM we told you about recently. However, other options such as international roaming or Pocket WiFi are also possible to use, but they are more expensive options.
In case your SIM card does not work or have any issue, you can always contact your provider's customer service. However, if you want to have 24-hour customer service, you can enjoy this benefit by purchasing Holafly's eSIM!
The best global eSIM provider
From $2.3/week
A reliable eSIM provider for budget travelers
From $2.4/week
The best global eSIM provider
From $2.3/week
A reliable eSIM provider for budget travelers
From $2.4/week
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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