Best Tourist Sim Cards in Portugal in 2025
Choosing a sim card is hard. We've analysed the best tourist sim cards in Portugal across pricing, coverage and data. Find out the best pick!
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If you plan on visiting Portugal, having a sim card will be essential for accessing the internet and making your travel experience smoother. With internet access, you can easily navigate unfamiliar cities, discover the top-rated restaurants, find directions to your accommodation, book transportation, and share precious moments with your family through photos while on the move.
While roaming is an option, the international fees can quickly accumulate. Therefore, we highly recommend considering either an eSIM or a local sim card in order to access local phone rates. Fortunately, obtaining either option in Portugal is a breeze, but it’s helpful to know which one suits you best.
This comprehensive guide provides you with all the information you need to purchase a sim card in Portugal, including current pricing and our recommendation for the most suitable sim card for your needs.
The best sim card in Portugal is the Portugal eSim offered by Airalo. The Airalo eSim costs roughly the same for the same amount of data as NOS or MEO, two of the top local operators. Since eSims are the most convenient option for travellers I recommend purchasing the Airalo eSim over a physical sim card. You’ll save the time and hassle of visiting a store once you arrive in Portugal.
With Airalo you will have the option to choose exactly how much data you require which could cost you even less than a visitor sim from NOS (the cheapest Airalo sim card costs just 4 EUR), however, we recommend the 11 EUR option with 5GB data. The Airalo sim card uses the NOS network so you can be assured that you have the best network coverage and reliability in Portugal.
If your phone doesn’t support eSims (most phones are eSim compatible, including all iPhones since 2018) then the best local sim card is the visitor sim offered by NOS. NOS has the best coverage in Portugal and the 5GB sim for 10 EUR is fantastic value.
A Tourist Sim Card in Portugal costs 10 EUR in March 2025, however, the exact price will often depend on the store you visit and the plan you choose.
Alternatively, an eSim in Portugal will cost between $4.50 USD and $32 USD. This, again, depends on how much data you require and which eSim provider you choose.
I generally recommend this Airalo plan for most tourists visiting Portugal which includes 5GB of data which is valid for 30 days and costs $10 USD.
The top sim card providers in Portugal are NOS, MEO and Vodafone. All three are good for tourists and offer relatively affordable sim cards with sufficient data for short trips.
However, the best option for most tourists is to not pick any of these providers at all. If you are on a larger EU trip I would recommend grabbing your sim card in another country with generous EU roaming caps such as Spain, Italy or Greece. If you’re just visiting Portugal for a few days then opt for an eSim from Airalo instead.
NOS is the best telecommunications company in Portugal thanks to their objectively better mobile network. They have very wide coverage across the entire country and the fastest network speeds of any operator.
Their prepaid sim cards are also the cheapest at just 10 EUR making them an easy pick for best physical sim card in Portgual. If you’re open to choosing an eSim, then Airalo is your best pick as their eSims are easy to purchase, affordable, and most importantly, use the NOS network.
The price of a NOS tourist sim card in Portugal is 10 EUR.
The plan offered by NOS stores includes 5GB 5G data + 1000 minutes valid for 4 weeks.
MEO is the next best option after NOS. Similarly, they have reliable and fast internet connectivity and their sim cards provide ample data allowances for browsing and streaming.
Prices are roughly the same but their network is considered to be slightly worse than NOS. In reality, you are unlikely to notice any difference so definitely go for MEO if it’s more convenient to do so.
The price of a Meo tourist sim card in Portugal is 9.99 EUR.
The plan offered by Meo stores offers 5GB 5G data valid for 1 month.
Vodafone is also a suitable alternative to NOS. Their mobile internet works well across Portugal and, despite being less extensive and slower, you are realistically unlikely to notice any difference.
The main thing you will notice, however, is the price tag. Vodafone’s prepaid sim cards in Portugal are a bit more expensive so I see no reason to consider them over Airalo, NOS or MEO.
The price of a Vodafone tourist sim card in Portugal is 20 EUR.
The plan offered by Vodafone stores includes Unlimited data valid for 15 days.
Identify the mobile providers in Portugal: NOS, Meo and Vodafone are your best options in Portugal.
Find your nearest store: Locate a store or retailer by searching on Google Maps for your nearest store or asking at your hotel reception. I’ve never had issues finding a store as they can be found all over any major cities, shopping centers, or tourist areas. You can’t buy sim cards in airports in Portugal. If you’re on a budget it is usually cheaper to use the airport wifi instead and purchase your sim card in a store near your hotel.
Bring the necessary documents: It is mandatory in Portugal to bring your passport into the store so that the staff can register it with your sim card. Without this, NOS, Meo or Vodafone staff will be unable to sell you a sim card.
Choose your plan: Either request the plan you are after or consult with the staff in the store to select the right plan for you. My recommendations at the beginning of this guide are likely to be your best option, for example the prepaid plan by NOS that includes 5GB 5G data + 1000 minutes for 10 EUR.
Pay and activate your card: You can expect to pay 10 EUR to purchase your sim card. The staff in-store will help you install the sim card and activate it for you.
Test: It’s always a good idea to check that you can access the internet before you leave the store. I always try searching for something on Google then refresh my Instagram feed to check it’s working fine before leaving. If it’s not, the staff will be able to help you adjust your settings.
Buying a prepaid sim card for Portugal at the airport is usually considered the most convenient option for travellers arriving by plane.
However, airport stores selling sim cards are almost guaranteed to charge inflated prices, so if you are a cost-conscious traveller then you should definitely buy your sim card from a store in the city center.
In addition to this, we would argue that buying physical sim cards at all aren’t particularly convenient now that most people use esim compatible phones. If you are looking for the most convenient option, then buying an esim before you arrive or with the airport wifi is much easier and will save you having to queue up or communicate with staff.
If you must purchase a sim card at the airport in Portugal then you will be in luck. All major international airports in Portugal have stores selling sim cards. Despite the prices being higher than normal, the staff are knowledgable and will be able to get you set up with the correct sim card relatively quickly.
If you want to avoid the inflated sim card prices you’ll find at the airport and your phone isn’t esim compatible, then you’re going to need to head in to a store to buy your sim card.
I recommend visiting one of the official retail stores of the mobile internet operators such as NOS, Meo and Vodafone. Your best option is to enter their names into Google Maps and find the branch closest to your hotel or accommodation. Typically the staff in the official stores in Portugal are knowledgable and helpful which means you can ensure you’ll walk away with a functioning sim card.
Despite this, it’s always a good idea to check your internet is working before you leave the store by loading a Google search results page and your preferred social media app. You should also ensure you always bring your passport with you when purchasing a sim card in case they need to register it.
If you like to be prepared and would prefer to arrive in Portugal with your sim card all sorted and your phone ready to connect to the internet immediately then you should look into purchasing a sim card online.
The first option is to buy your sim card in advance via SimOptions, which is a company that will prepare and ship a sim card directly to your door. It’s a reliable and effective service, but with the invention of eSims it’s becoming obsolete.
The better option is to purchase an eSim online. We’ve written more on that below!
An eSim is a digital version of a traditional sim card and is most likely the future of connectivity for mobile devices. The convenience of no longer visiting a store, handing over your passport and purchasing a physical sim card is quickly making physical sim cards obsolete in favour of eSims.
We recommend Airalo’s eSim when travelling to Portugal. The Airalo Portugal eSim offers fast internet speeds, wide coverage and extremely competitive prices making it a far more compelling option than purchasing a physical sim card from any of the local sim card providers.
In order to get set up with an Airalo eSim, all you need to do is visit Airalo here and purchase the eSim online (the $10 USD plan is suitable for most travellers). Once you’ve purchased the sim card Airalo will email you instructions and a QR code. Following these instructions should take just a couple of minutes, then you’ll have a sim card in Portugal without having to venture outside.
Our preferred eSim provider in Portugal is Airalo. We used them, alongside a local sim card on another device, for our most recent trip to Portugal and found the service to be equal to the local sim card but without the hassle of acquiring a sim card in a store.
Airalo’s Portugal eSim uses the NOS (Optimus) network to provide data and connect users to the internet. You can expect very good coverage and reliability with the NOS (Optimus) networknetwork as they are amongst the best mobile internet operators in Portugal.
Here are the plans and prices for Airalo’s Portugal eSim:
1GB data valid for 7 days – Price: $4.50 USD
2GB data valid for 15 days – Price: $7 USD
3GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $9.50 USD
5GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $10 USD
10GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $17 USD
20GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $32 USD
30GB data valid for 15 days – Price: $19 USD
For most travellers we recommend the 5GB data plan for $10 USD which is valid for 30 days. Some travellers may prefer a larger plan, whilst travellers visiting for just a couple of days may be fine with a smaller plan.
An alternative eSim provider we can recommend is Holafly.
Holafly’s eSim is a suitable option for travellers who require large amounts of data, such as digital nomads and people who work online while they travel. All of Holafly’s Portugal eSims offer unlimited data.
Holafly’s Portugal eSim uses the Vodafone Portugalnetwork to provide data and connect users to the internet. This network will provide reliable speeds and coverage while in Portugal
Here are the plans and prices for Holafly’s Portugal eSim:
Unlimited data valid for 5 days – Price: $19 USD
Unlimited data valid for 7 days – Price: $27 USD
Unlimited data valid for 10 days – Price: $34 USD
Unlimited data valid for 15 days – Price: $47 USD
Unlimited data valid for 20 days – Price: $54 USD
Unlimited data valid for 30 days – Price: $64 USD
Unlimited data valid for 60 days – Price: $84 USD
Unlimited data valid for 90 days – Price: $99 USD
An eSIM, or embedded SIM, is a digital SIM card that is built into a device like a smartphone, tablet, or smartwatch. Unlike physical SIM cards, the eSIM does not need to be physically inserted or removed.
The eSIM is integrated into the device’s hardware and can be activated and programmed remotely by a mobile network operator. This allows users to easily switch between different mobile networks or plans without having to physically swap SIM cards.
eSIM technology offers convenience, flexibility, and ease of use, especially for travelers or those who frequently switch networks or travel internationally. It eliminates the need to purchase and insert physical SIM cards, making it simpler to manage multiple mobile connections on a single device.
To activate an eSIM, users can either scan a provided QR code or manually enter the activation details. Once activated, the device can connect to the desired mobile network and enjoy voice, data, and messaging services just like with a traditional SIM card.
eSIM technology is becoming increasingly popular and is supported by a growing number of smartphones and other devices. Here are some examples of eSIM-compatible phones:
Apple iPhone series (iPhone 11, iPhone 12, iPhone 13, etc.): Apple was one of the early adopters of eSIM technology and offers support for eSIM on various iPhone models.
Google Pixel series (Pixel 3, Pixel 4, Pixel 5, etc.): Google’s Pixel smartphones also support eSIM functionality, allowing users to activate and use eSIMs.
Samsung Galaxy series (Galaxy S22, Galaxy Note 20, etc.): Many of Samsung’s flagship devices now come with eSIM support, enabling users to utilize eSIM technology.
OnePlus devices (OnePlus 7, OnePlus 8, etc.): OnePlus has included eSIM support in some of its smartphone models, offering users the flexibility of using eSIMs.
Motorola Razr (2020): The latest iteration of the iconic Motorola Razr features eSIM compatibility, enabling users to use eSIMs for cellular connectivity.
These are just a few examples, and the list of eSIM-compatible phones continues to expand as more manufacturers embrace this technology. There’s a very strong chance your phone supports eSims so if you’re unsure we recommend looking it up on our list of eSim supported phones.
Hi, I’m Mitchell. I’m a full-time traveller, explorer and travel blogger. I've travelled all around the world, using and testing countless travel sim cards along the way. I'm the founder of and writer for Travel Sim Expert where I write guides to help travellers stay connected all around the world.
Hi, I’m Mitchell. I’m a full-time traveller, explorer and travel blogger. Travel Sim Expert is a blog dedicated to helping you find the best sim card for you, no matter where you are or what your budget is.
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