“I live in Portugal and travel frequently, so using an eSIM provider seemed like the logical choice. Among the many options available, I chose Airalo for its competitive packages. Initially, the service worked as advertised for about a month, but since then, I’ve faced nothing but persistent and infuriating issues.

It appears that national networks have blocked Airalo from connecting, rendering the service practically useless. Unfortunately, Airalo’s support has been utterly unhelpful. Despite countless support tickets, messages, and screenshots, there has been no resolution.

What’s worse, Airalo refuses to provide a refund, instead forcing customers to accept Airalo credit. This so-called “credit” is completely worthless to me since their service does not work.

This has been a massive waste of time and productivity, especially since I rely heavily on mobile data for my work. The lack of accountability and support from Airalo is both frustrating and unacceptable.

I strongly advise anyone considering Airalo to avoid them at all costs and look for more reliable alternatives. Do not waste your money or your time.”

AJ

Dec 10, 2024

GlobaleSIM Portugal

“terrible - waste of time and got no service for two days - had to abort wasting more time and look for an alternative even though I got Global one for 30 days”

dz

Sep 22, 2024

Airalo Portugal

“Fast 5G speeds in Madeira, Portugal (and the airport in Lisbon). Only downside is you can't check data usage — though with 30GBs for our seven-day trip we didn't really need to.”

AC

Dec 22, 2023

Portugal Travel eSIM FAQ

Everything you need to know about using eSIMs in Portugal

How many travel eSIM brands (providers) are available for use in Portugal, and how many prepaid data plans are there?

There are more than 220 travel eSIM providers and over 17, 600 prepaid data plans available in Portugal. With such a wide variety of options, travelers can easily find an eSIM that suits their needs.

Are there any unlimited data eSIM plans available for Portugal?

Unlimited data eSIM plans for Portugal are offered by several providers. Earth Esim, abesteSIM, ASIMGO, Roamify, MicroEsim, Yesim, EtravelSIM, esimzon, SparkRoam, and Numero eSIM all list unlimited data options with validity periods ranging from one to fifteen days. Prices vary from as low as $1.49 to about $18.49 USD, with most plans falling between $1.50 and $18.00. Many of the unlimited plans include speed throttling, and some specify maximum speeds such as 1 Mbps, 5 Mbps, or 10 Mbps. When choosing a plan, consider the expected data usage and whether the speed limits will meet your needs for streaming, navigation, or other high‑bandwidth activities.

What are the major mobile networks available for a travel eSIM in Portugal?

Portugal's mobile network infrastructure is primarily supported by the following major Mobile Network Operators (MNOs):

MEO: Operated by Altice Portugal, MEO offers extensive nationwide coverage and a wide range of mobile services.
NOS: As part of NOS Comunicações, NOS provides comprehensive mobile services, including voice and data, across Portugal.
Vodafone Portugal: A subsidiary of Vodafone Group Plc, Vodafone Portugal delivers robust mobile services with significant market presence.
Digi: A recent entrant into the Portuguese market, Digi is expanding its network and services following its acquisition of Nowo Communications in 2024.

In addition to these MNOs, Portugal hosts several Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs). MVNOs provide mobile services by leasing access from major carriers. Notable examples include Lycamobile, which operates on MEO's network and offers prepaid SIM cards with international calling plans, and Moche, a brand targeting youth customers with services on the MEO network. It's important to note that most travel eSIMs rely on MNO infrastructure rather than MVNOs.

Can I get a travel eSIM with a phone number and SMS for Portugal?

Travel eSIM plans that provide a phone number and SMS capability are available for Portugal. Providers such as Stixrs, RedEx eSIM, Airhub, Simbye, Roamify and EtravelSIM offer plans with inbound and outbound voice as well as inbound and outbound SMS, ensuring you can send and receive texts while using the device in Portugal. The dialing codes on these plans, however, differ: Stixrs and some RedEx eSIM entries use the local Portuguese code +351, while the other providers issue numbers from foreign codes such as +33 (France) or +44 (United Kingdom). Prices for these plans start around $15 for 15‑GB bundles and can rise to about $35 for larger data packages lasting up to 30 days. Each plan supplies data, call minutes, and text messages that work over the local networks in Portugal, but the phone number itself will carry the foreign country code.

Summarized by AI, Last updated: Oct 4, 2026