If you are traveling to the Portugal (including the Azores islands and Madeira), we recommend you to buy an eSIM to get internet in your smartphone and stay connected during your trip (like this one from Holafly – with unlimited data, 5% discount with code “RANDOMTRIP” – or this other one from Airalo – cheaper but with limited data, 15% discount with code “RANDOMTRIP15” )
In this article we tell you everything you need to know to buy a SIM or an eSIM card for Portugal: which companies are available, what data plans and prices they have, how to recharge money and get more data, how to make local calls, etc.
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Portugal Mobile Network Companies (local SIM or eSIM card)
If you are looking for a cheaper option, that is normally to buy a local SIM card. There are 3 main mobile network companies in Portugal:
- MEO: the main operator and the one with more coverage, with good coverage in the whole country. Check MEO’s coverage here. 15€ for 10 days of unlimited data. They have an eSIM option but unfortunately, without a Portuguese tax number you will need go to a physical store to buy it.
- Vodafone: the second biggest operator in Portugal, also with good coverage in the whole country. Check Vodafone’s coverage here. 15€ for 15 days of unlimited data. They also have two eSIM option for travelers (16$ for 20GB in 15 days, or 24$ for 50GB in 30 days), although we tried several times to buy it and the website just didn’t work correctly
- Nos: the third operator in Portugal, with also good coverage in the whole country. Check Nos’ coverage here. 10€ for 40GB during a month. They don’t seem to offer eSIMs online.
There is also DiGi, but at the moment of writing they only offer post-paid services, and there are also a number of virtual operators which offer SIM and/or eSIM cards with lots of data at low prices (like Woo for example), but most of them require you to already have a Portuguese number and/or a Portuguese tax number.
In most cases, you will need to go to a store to buy your local SIM or eSIM card. You can search for the name of the operator in Google Maps, or you can also try at Worten.
Best Portugal eSIM cards: Holafly and Airalo
The easiest option if your phone supports eSIM is to buy an eSIM card before (or even during) your trip, which you can buy online, install before you get to Portugal and you will already have internet when you get there.
We recommend the Holafly eSIM card (5% discount if you use our code “RANDOMTRIP”), which has unlimited data, works really well and you can select the exact number of days you need it, as well as extend the number of days if your plan changes. We tested it during our last trip to Lisbon and the Azores islands and it worked really well (more info about our experience with Holafly’s eSIM card below)
These are some sample prices of Holafly eSIM card with unlimited data for different number of days (remember that you get a 5% discount if you use our code “RANDOMTRIP”)
- 1 day: 5,90€
- 3 days: 11,90€
- 5 days: 18.90€
- 7 days: 26,90€
- 10 days: 33,90€
- 15 days: 46,90€
- 20 days: 56,90€
- 30 days: 68,90€
- 60 days: 98,90€
You will receive a QR code in your email and Whatsapp, which you will need to scan from your mobile to add the eSIM and activate it. Once you activate it, the days will start counting, so ideally you should activate it just before entering the plane or once you land (you will need to have the QR on another device or print it to be able to scan it; Holafly will also send you data to set up the eSIM by hand if you do not have access to the QR).
Alternatively, you also have the Airalo eSIM with 15% discount with the coupon RANDOMTRIP15, cheaper but without unlimited data, so if you don’t need a lot of GB it is an excellent option to save some money.
Our experience with Holafly eSIM card in Portugal
During our last trip to Portugal, we tested the Holafly eSIM card, which worked really well both in the Azores islands and in Portugal mainland. Following is our experience with Holafy.
We chose the Holafly’s Portugal eSIM card, which covers all Portugal, for 90 days. Inmediately after the payment, we received an email and a Whatsapp message with the instructions to install our eSIMs. We also could see the eSIM cards we bought in the Holafly’s app
We waited until a few hours before getting to Portugal to install our SIM cards. The process was smooth and fast, and as soon as we arrived to Portugal, we had internet through our Holafly eSIM cards. Here are some screenshots of speed tests done with the Holafly eSIM cards:
Lisbon
Ponta Delgada (São Miguel)
Vila do Corvo (Corvo)
Santa Cruz das Flores (Flores)
Can I keep using Whatsapp with my normal phone number when using Holafly or Airalo?
Yes, your Whatsapp will work as normal with the phone number you configured it before installing the Holafly or Airalo eSIM card.
Portugal country code
In case you need it, Portugal’s country code is +351, keep this in mind when adding local numbers (of accommodations, restaurants, tour agencies, etc.) in your address book that you want to contact by Whatsapp.
Remember that with your Holafly’s eSIM card (limited to 500MB per day) or with a local SIM card, you can tether from your smartphone to share internet with other smartphones, tablets, laptops… If you do so, remember to take a good powerbank with you as it consumes much more battery. We travel with these two:
- This 10000mAh ANKER, which is enough to charge the battery a couple of times.
- This one from Xiaomi, 20000mAh, which gives you to charge the smartphone about 4-5 times.
If you prefer, it is also a good option to buy a portable router and take it with you to every country you go to, for example this one, which you can use with a physical local SIM card.
We hope you find it helpful, and that you enjoy your trip to Portugal!
