How to get Mobile Internet in Portugal: Which option to choose?

Nowadays, we need to be connected all the time, to keep in touch with our loved ones and our work. If it is your first time in this destination, you will probably want to share the pictures you take during your adventures with your loved ones. For that reason, here we will tell you everything you need to know about how to connect to the internet in Portugal.

From eSIM and SIM cards to the expensive roaming service or the Pocket Wifi… In this article you will read the characteristics, advantages, disadvantages, and price of each alternative, so you can pick the option that best suits your needs.

Mobile data in Portugal

There are many alternatives to connect to the internet in this destination. From the traditional SIM cards, which we are used to using, to modern options, such as eSIM. Of course, these are not the only alternatives, there are other options less recommended like international roaming or Pocket Wifi, which are similar to the routers that we have in our houses, but much smaller and easier to carry.

Internet alternatives for Portugal: prices

You probably want to stick up to your budget, so one of the first things you want to know about may be the price of each of these services. To help you pick the alternative that best suit your needs, we have prepared a comparison table with the prices, you can read it below:

SIM card to have the internet in Portugal

An alternative to having the internet in Portugal is getting a SIM card with mobile data. It is very easy to acquire, and that’s one of the reasons why it is one of the traveler’s favorite options. We recommend you buy this product in a virtual store like Holafly. It will arrive at your house before you travel, and you will have the internet right when you land at your destination. But if you prefer to get this product at the airport when you arrive you can do it too.

The Holafly SIM card for this destination includes many advantages. You will be able to have the internet before you travel, for an accessible price and many advantages, such as a telephone number with free calls, 24-hour customer service, great coverage, free shipping, and more.

SIM card for Portugal: prices

• 10GB / 30 days / $34
• 12GB / 30 days / $44

Unlimited data eSIM card for Portugal

The eSIM card for Portugal is another good option to connect to the internet, easily and fast. This type of card is virtual, so you won’t have to install a plastic card on your cell phone. It is the evolution of the SIM card. It has the same characteristics, but all you have to do to install and activate it is to scan a QR code with your smartphone.

The eSIM card has more advantages, such as free and instant shipping, no matter where you are. Also, you cannot lose them or break them because they are not physical. And if you get the Holafy eSIM card you will have even more advantages.

The advantages of this eSIM card go from unlimited data to 24-hour customer service. Before you buy it, you should make sure that your cell phone can manage this technology. Once you do that, you will have to visit the Holafly virtual store, pick the data plan and the destination you want, fill out the purchasing form, and that’s it.

The eSIM card also lets you keep your cellphone number because your device will become a dual-SIM, you can share your mobile data and it is very easy to configure.

eSIM card for Portugal with unlimited data

• Unlimited data / 5 days for $19.00
• Unlimited data / 15 days for $47.00
• Unlimited data / 20 days for $57.00
• Unlimited data / 30 days for $69.00
• Unlimited data / 60 days for $87.00

How to have the internet in Portugal with mobile operators

Another option is to buy the services from one of the operators in this country. They offer plans for travelers that will let you connect to the internet during your trip. To get one of these services you will have to go to the virtual store of any of these companies. They will probably ask for some kind of documentation, such as your passport.

Internet in Portugal with AT&T

With this company, you can get an International Travel Pass which may be enough for your stay in Portugal. With it, you will be able to enjoy your telephone services, and you will only have to pay $10 per day. On the other hand, if you prefer to pay for your usage only, you can do that too, at a cost of $2.05 MB per usage, as well as $2 per minute of call.

Internet in Portugal with Verizon

You can acquire different types of services from Verizon to have international roaming in Portugal.  You can choose between the Travel Pass and the pay-per-use option. The difference between the two is that with the Travel Pass you will have to pay $10 per day, and it will allow you to use your phone services as if you were at home.

On the other hand, when you choose the pay-per-use option, you will have to pay only for the amount of data, minutes of calls, or messages you send. For example, if you want to use data, you will have to pay $15 per MB. And likewise, if you want to make calls, you will have to pay $1.78 per minute of call.

Internet in Portugal with T-Mobile

T-mobile is one of the biggest companies in the USA, and if you are a user of this operator and you will soon be traveling to Portugal, you will be able to make use of their international roaming. If you have one of the Simple Gold plans, you will be able to make use of their phone services, and you will not have to pay any extra cost.

On the other hand, if you have other T-mobile plans, you can also make use of international roaming services, however, you will be charged for the use you have of them. That is, for each MB of usage, you will have to pay $15.

How to get a Pocket Wifi for Portugal?

It is very interesting to walk the streets of this wonderful country. So, if you are planning to visit every corner of this destination, like its capital Lisboa, Pocket Wifi may not be the best alternative for you, since the battery of these devices lasts 4 to 8 hours.

Also, these products are one of the most expensive ones. Because you are not only paying for the mobile data but the renting or purchase of the device. And to that, you have to add the shipping price.

Pocket Wifi sellers

Travelers Wifi: You can rent a Pocket Wifi for Portugal for 7 days with 1GB and 4G for $64.07, and unlimited 3G data for each day. You also have to pay for the shipping, so you have to add $5,10 / $9. So, the total price is $78 for 7 days. If you want to have anti-theft or lost insurance you will have to pay an extra price.

Public Wifi in Portugal

Public Wifi is the cheapest and easiest alternative since nowadays there are many public networks available in these types of destinations. You will be able to find a public network in a café, museum, park, restaurant, mall, or other places. Anyway, this alternative is not very recommended. Because even though it is free, it is not very safe, so your personal information can be easily stolen. If you want to use this alternative, we recommend you not enter important information about yourself or your bank account.

However, you can consider this alternative if you are not going to stay in Portugal for long and you don’t want to buy a product to connect to the internet.

Internet coverage map in Portugal      

3G or 4G coverage in Portugal

Our recommendation

Now that you have read all the alternatives we showed you, we want to give you our recommendation. We think that the best alternatives are the SIM or the eSIM cards from Holafly. Any of these two cards are very easy to acquire and use, with many advantages and accessible prices.

Frequent questions about how to have the internet in Portugal

We hope we have solved all your doubts, but in case we didn’t, here you have the answer to some of the most common questions about how to have the internet in Portugal.

Stefania