Tourist SIMs at a glance
- Carriers and shopsTourist SIMs are available from Vodafone and NOS.
- Packs and limitsSome tourist packs are data only. Calls and texts depend on the pack. A tourist eSIM is also available from Vodafone and NOS.
- Good to knowVodafone Portugal's eSIM for Portugal is a prepaid data plan that works only inside Portugal, with no SMS or minutes. Vodafone also sells an eSIM for Portugal and Europe with 5G data that roams in the EEA and the UK, and NOS has a travel eSIM for Portugal and the EU.
Portugal SIM card or eSIM: side by side
| eSIM | Local SIM | |
|---|---|---|
| Where you get it | In the app, before you fly | At a carrier shop after arrivals |
| Ready when you land | Yes, if installed before the flight | After you have bought and set it up |
| Phone number | Data only, no number | Depends on the pack, see the carrier page |
| Plans and prices | Shown live below, by data size and days | On the carrier or airport page |
Local SIM details change. Confirm them with the carrier or the airport.
Set it up before you fly
- Check that your phone supports eSIM and is not locked: eSIM compatible phones.
- Pick a plan for your destination below.
- Payment is taken once the eSIM is ready.
- Install it at home over Wi-Fi: tap Install in the app or scan the QR code.
- After landing, switch on data roaming for the eSIM line.
- Most plans start when your phone first connects there.
Prefer a daily allowance? 1 GB per day · 7 days for €6.49: full speed up to 1 GB a day, then 512 Kbps until the next day.
Picked like in our shop: the cheapest plan with about 0.7 GB a day. Live prices for Portugal.
Questions and answers
Portugal: can tourists buy a local SIM card?
Yes. Visitors can buy a local SIM from Vodafone and NOS. An eSIM set up at home is the alternative if you want data the moment you land.
Portugal: tourist SIM or eSIM, which is better?
A tourist SIM suits you if you want a local plan or number. An eSIM suits you if you want data the moment you land, without a counter visit.
Portugal: how much data does a week need?
About 5 GB suit a typical week of maps, messages and rides. How much data do I need helps you pick a size.
Does the eSIM come with a phone number?
No. Plans are data only. Keep your own SIM for calls and texts, and use messaging apps over data.
Updated 29 Oct 2026 · checked against our live catalogue
How we check our data · Prices and plans come live from our catalogue; facts come from official sources, listed where we use them.
Sources: Vodafone Portugal: eSIM · NOS: travel eSIM
