“I bought 14 300GB eSIMs for Europe and they all stopped working when they reached 35GB. I filed a complaint with AirHub and they told me they didn't actually provide 300GB and only offered 35GB. I asked for a refund and they never gave it to me. That company is a scam. Stay away if you don't want to be scammed.

AIRHUB is a SCAM. They are thieves who steal your money and give you eSIMs with less GB than they offer.”

Jesus

Aug 3, 2025

Airalo Portugal

“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

Airhub Portugal

“If I've listened to the previous review, should have gone with their competitor ETxxx instead. Landed in Europe, activated it, connecting flight arrived in Funchal, connected got no data allowances. Took online chat 48 hours to resolve. Then found out the included voice minutes did not work, still repair in progress. The only good thing is online chat is available everyday including Sat & Sun.”

Frank

Nov 17, 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

Airhub Portugal

“The esim activated, but the data didn't work thereafter. I tried to contact their customer support multiple times thereafter and they didn't get back to me. Completely useless. Possibly even a scam. ”

Brad

Jul 14, 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?

Portugal has more than 170 travel eSIM brands available, along with over 12, 700 prepaid data plans. The extensive range of options makes it easy for travelers to find an eSIM that fits their needs.

Are there any unlimited data eSIM plans available for Portugal?

Unlimited data eSIM plans for Portugal are offered by several providers. Most of them allow tethering but note that the speed can be throttled, and some set a maximum speed limit of 10 Mbps or lower. The plans are available for validity periods ranging from one day to up to 30 days. Prices start at around $2.39 USD and go up to roughly $29.88 USD, depending on the provider and the chosen validity. These options give travelers the flexibility to pick a plan that fits their data needs while keeping the cost in a predictable range.

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?

Yes, travel eSIMs that include a phone number and SMS capability are available for Portugal. Providers that offer such plans are GlobaleSIM, Orange Travel, Airhub, and RedEx eSIM. GlobaleSIM issues numbers with the +1 dialing code, giving inbound/outbound voice and inbound SMS; Orange Travel provides numbers with the +48 code, offering inbound/outbound voice and SMS. Airhub and RedEx eSIM provide local Portuguese numbers with the +351 code and support inbound/outbound voice and SMS, making them ideal for travelers who want a local number while in Portugal.

The plans start at about $4 for GlobaleSIM (7‑day validity), $5.99 for Orange Travel (7‑day validity), approximately $20 for Airhub (30‑day validity), and around $24 for RedEx eSIM (30‑day validity). All of these eSIMs include data allowances ranging from 1 GB to 20 GB or more, and they work on 4G and 5G networks where available. Travelers who need a local Portuguese contact number should choose the Airhub or RedEx eSIM options, while those who prefer a foreign number may select GlobaleSIM or Orange Travel.

Summarized by AI, Last updated: Jul 19, 2026