6 Best eSIM For Portugal (Convenient & Affordable)
Are you heading to Portugal and need an eSIM to stay connected there?
At A Glance: Our Favorite eSIMs for Portugal
- Cheapest eSIMs Maya Mobile
- Affordable per GB Airalo
- Best for Unlimited Data Holafly
- Portugal eSIM with Calls Orange Holiday Europe eSIM
- Best regional eSIMs For Portugal Ubigi
ESIMs are becoming increasingly popular and for good reason. I have used eSIMs to get more affordable and convenient mobile data while traveling in Portugal and Europe.
But with so many options available, it can be hard to know which eSIM is the best for your trip in Portugal.
That’s where I come in! Below, I run through the top eSIMs for Portugal, reviewing their data plans, coverage, and connection speeds to help you find the ideal eSIM data plan for your trip.
Tips For Choosing Your ESIM
After buying and using dozens of ESIMs, here is a list of questions I have for choosing the ideal one for you:
- How much data you are going to use on your trip (Unlimited or a few Gigabytes)
- How long is your trip going to be
- Will you need a phone number or send SMSs while traveling
After figuring out the answers, you can quickly limit your choice to
- Holafly for Unlimited data (and a phone number)
- Airalo or Nomad for per GB plans
- Orange for phone and SMS with data
I go into much more detail on each plan below, but that is the short version from my experience traveling in Europe and using ESIMs for over a year.
ESIM Product Comparison
Maya/GB
Maya180 Days
$1.8/GB
Maya180 Days
$1.49/GB
Maya180 Days
$1.1/GB
Maya180 Days
$ 0.98/GB
Holafly5 Days
Holafly7 Days
Holafly14 Days
Holafly30 Days
Holafly60 Days
Airalo7 Days
$4.50/GB
Airalo30 Days
$3.17/GB
Airalo30 Days
$2/GB
Airalo30 Days
$1.70/GB
Airalo30 Days
$1.60/GB
Nomad7 Days
$6/GB
Nomad30 Days
$3/GB
Nomad30 Days
$1.70/GB
Nomad30 Days
$1.50/GB
Orange14 Days
$3.74/GB
Orange14 Days
$2.50/GB
Ubigi30 Days
$3/GB
Ubigi30 Days
$1.9/GB
Maya Mobile
Maya Mobile exploded onto the market with a great combination of both per GB packages and unlimited data. So, you can choose exactly what you need, and tweak unlimited data sharing too.
Here are some of the great options from Maya:
- Unlimited for approximately $2.3 per day
- 5 GB for $8.99
- 10 GB for $14.99
- 20 GB for $21.99
- 40 GB for $38.99
They use two different providers which gives you great coverage not matter where you are in Portugal. And 5G is available when possible, which is great for data speeds in cities!
Understanding Unlimited Data: You should be aware of how Maya unlimited data works compared to Holafly as it is a lot cheaper.
Instead of completely unlimited, they limit you to either 3 or 5GB a day, and then throttle the speed to 1 MBs after that. So not really unlimited, but more “lots of high speed data per day”. So, if you are not an insane data consumer, its a way better deal
Pros
- Cheapest per GB or unlimited
- 5G providers
- Easy to install
Cons
- Unlimited is not complete infinite
- Less per GB options than Airalo
Airalo
Airalo is an awesome eSIM provider with a great reputation worldwide. They are one of the most popular eSIM providers thanks to their excellent customer service, affordability, and solid data service.
Airalo’s Portugal eSIM plans are data only and all come at a reasonable price, plus data tethering is also allowed. This means you can share your internet connection with other devices if you need to, ideal for working remotely.
Airalo offers lots of different prepaid eSIM packages to match how many days you’ll be staying in Portugal and how much data you’ll need during your trip.
Pros
- Plans from 1 to 30 days
- Great connection speeds
- Hotspots allowed
- Affordable price per GB
Cons
- Unlimited data not available
Holafly
If you use a lot of data daily, then the eSIM for Portugal plans you will want to look at are Holafly’s.
Every Holafly Portugal eSIM has unlimited data to enjoy staying connected without worrying about data limits.
You can choose from various Portugal eSIM plans to match your trip length of 1-90 days. And, you can choose the exact number of days you need it for
Their daily pricing is super affordable if you use a lot of data. Here are all the options you have to choose from:
- $20.9 for 5 days
- $36.9 for 10 days
- $47.9 for 14 days
- $61.9 for 20 days
- $74.9 for 30 days
- $139.9 for 90 days
One thing to note is that Holafly’s eSIMs only allow data tethering/hotspots up to 500mb per day, so bear that in mind. It might be enough for small data sharing or working on your laptop for a bit, but it’s not a lot of data.
Holafly’s connection speeds and coverage in Portugal are excellent, as they are using NOS and MEO which get top ratings on OpenSignals yearly mobile network reviews. And my experience has been the same in Portugal.
Pros
- A range of plan lengths
- Unlimited data
- Great customer service
- Good coverage and connection speeds
Cons
- No data tethering allowed
Nomad
Nomad offers a variety of prepaid Portugal eSIM data plans that allow you to match your Portugal eSIM package to both your length of stay while traveling in Portugal and your data needs.
Nomad’s Portugal eSIM plans start at
Unfortunately, Nomad doesn’t offer unlimited data plans.
These prices are affordable, but Nomad is slightly more expensive compared to some of the other providers featured in the article.
You can hotspot with a Nomad Portugal eSIM which is handy when working in town without a WiFi connection.
Pros
- Broad coverage
- Fast speeds
- Plans to suit trip length/data needs
- Hotspots are allowed
Cons
- Higher price per GB than others
- Unlimited data is not available
Orange Holiday Europe eSIM
If you’re looking for an eSIM that allows you to make calls and send SMS within Europe and to the rest of the world with a great data connection, check out the Orange Holiday Europe eSIM.
This eSIM offers great coverage and connection speeds not just in Portugal but throughout Europe too.
With this eSIM, you’ll get a generous
- 20GB of mobile data
- unlimited free calls and SMS’ within Europe
- 120 free global minutes and 1000 global SMS
The price per GB may not be as competitive as other providers, and the plan only lasts for 14 days, so if you are looking for just data and are planning a 15+ day trip it might not be for you.
Pros
- Stay connected around Europe with it
- Solid coverage
- Good connection speeds
- Unlimited calls and SMS messages in Europe
- Free global minutes and SMS messages included
- A nice amount of data
- Hotspots are allowed
Cons
- No long plans - 14 days max
- Expensive per GB
Orange Holiday Zen eSIM
The Orange Holiday Zen eSIM is a more affordable version of the Orange Holiday Europe eSIM. You get all the same things with this eSIM package, just less.
With this Portugal eSIM, you’ll get 8GB of data and unlimited free calls and SMS within Europe. Moreover, you’ll receive 30 free global minutes and 200 global SMS to keep in touch with people worldwide, all for just $29.90.
While the plan doesn’t offer unlimited data, it’s still an excellent choice for shorter trips, as the package lasts 14 days.
Pros
- Reliable coverage
- Fast connection speeds
- Enough data for most
- Unlimited calls and SMS’ in Europe
- Includes some free global mins and SMS’
- Works in all European countries
Cons
- Only short 14-day plans are available
Ubigi
If you’re heading to Portugal and/or multiple European countries, Ubigi offers great eSIM options to match your trip. You can choose from a European eSIM or an Iberica eSIM which also includes Spain as well as Portugal.
They have eSIM Portugal data plans of varying lengths and data sizes to fit your needs. You can choose from
However, unlike some other providers, Ubigi does not offer unlimited data plans. If you’re someone who uses a lot of data, you may want to consider checking out Holafly.
Pros
- Plans cover Portugal & Spain or all of Europe
- Affordable per GB
- Reliable connection speeds
- Great coverage
- Packages to match your trip length
- Tethering is allowed
Cons
- Unlimited data plans not available
Benefits of Getting an Portugal eSIM
There are a lot of benefits to getting an eSIM while in Portugal, and overall, it offers many advantages over purchasing a physical prepaid SIM card or relying on data roaming.
Firstly, eSIMs are incredibly convenient, as you can purchase them online and activate them as soon as you arrive in Portugal.
No more searching for a store or waiting in line to buy a physical SIM card, and you won’t have to swap out your SIM cards, which means you won’t risk losing your home SIM card.
With an eSIM, you can also keep your home number connected, so you won’t miss any important calls or messages.
This feature is especially useful for two-factor authentication, where you need to receive a code via SMS or voice call to authorize bank payments or confirm the legitimacy of a transaction.
Using a prepaid eSIM is also more environmentally friendly than using physical SIM cards, as it eliminates the need for precious minerals used in their production.
Local Mobile Operators Offering eSims in Portugal
There are 3 main local mobile operators offering eSIM in Portugal and most of them are partners with the eSim providers featured in the article.
- MEO: MEO is a popular mobile operator in Portugal that offers eSIMs
- Vodafone Portugal: Vodafone Portugal also offers eSIMs for both prepaid and postpaid customers
- NOS: NOS is another local mobile operator in Portugal that offers eSIMs
Devices Compatible with eSim in Portugal
Not all devices have an eSIM (embedded sim card) built into the phone which only features in new models. These devices work with eSIMs:
- iPhone 12, 11, SE (2nd generation), and newer models
- Samsung Galaxy S21, S20, Note 20, and newer models
- Google Pixel 5, 4, 3a, and newer models
- iPad Pro, iPad Air (3rd generation), and newer models
- Apple Watch Series 6, SE, and newer models
- Samsung Galaxy Watch 3, Watch Active 2, and newer models
- Huawei Watch 3 and newer models
Luckily, there is a quick and easy way to check if your device will work with eSIMs. Just call this number – *#06# and if an eSIM identification number (EID) comes up then your device will work with an eSim.
Data Needed When Traveling to Portugal
The amount of data you need while traveling in Portugal depends on how much data you usually use every day.
Usually, people use around 5GB per week, but if you use a lot of data, you might need up to 15GB per week.
It’s not cool if you use up all your data too fast, because you’ll end up paying more to top up your eSIM.
The smart move is to check your data usage report on your device and choose an eSIM plan that matches. Or, if you don’t want to worry about it, just go for an unlimited data plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get an eSIM in Portugal?
Yes, eSIMs are available in Portugal. Simply buy them online before your trip and activate them once you land.
How can I buy an eSIM in Portugal?
To buy an eSIM in Portugal, simply browse your chosen eSIM provider’s website and pick one of the eSIM plans that suits you best, and buy it.
You will be asked to add some personal info and will get an email with your eSIM and instructions for activation.
Can I buy an eSIM at Lisbon airport?
Yes, there is a Vodaphone store at the Lisbon Airport where you can buy an eSIM. However, it will come with a contract that you may not want for such a short visit. Instead, you can just buy an eSIM from any of the online operators like Airalo, Holafly or Nomad.
Which mobile operators in Portugal have eSIM?
Currently, the following operators in Portugal offer eSIMs: Woo Poortugal, NOS Portugal, MEO Portugal, Vodafone Portugal & Moche Portugal.
How do I activate my eSIM in Portugal?
Activation of your eSIM in Portugal usually involves scanning a QR code or entering an activation code. It is as simple as that.
Simply follow the instructions sent to you in the email that you received after you bought it. Customer service is always there on hand to help if you need it.
