SIM Cards
Best SIM card and its alternatives for Egypt in 2024
Find out the advantages, how, where and which is the best SIM card to travel to Egypt this 2022.
Advertising Disclosure
Advertising Disclosure
Roami was founded to serve as a trusted resource for travelers in need of reliable internet solutions abroad. Our team, comprising avid travelers, provides comprehensive reviews and guidance on data SIM cards, eSIMs, pocket WiFi devices, and free WiFi apps, drawing from firsthand usage during our travels.
We are committed to offering unbiased and thorough recommendations. To support our website, we earn affiliate commissions from links to products on our site. While our reviews are independent and based on our own experiences and detailed product testing, these commissions allow us to cover costs and continue bringing valuable advice to travelers worldwide.
Our reviews and articles are updated regularly to ensure relevance and accuracy. Please note that we may not review every product in the market, but we strive to cover as many as possible to maintain a wide-ranging resource for our readers. Join us at Roami to stay connected wherever your travels may take you.
If you will be traveling to Portugal soon, something you should consider is how you can connect to the internet. Nowadays, there are many alternatives to connect to the internet while you are in another country, but this time we will discuss the best SIM card for Portugal. With this option, you can travel without worries, with an excellent alternative at a good price.
That is why this article will tell you all about how you can purchase a SIM card for your trip, depending on your preference. We will also discuss prices, and we will tell you about an alternative that has been revolutionizing the cellular connectivity market, such as the eSIM. Read on to find out more!
Table of Contents
Where to buy the best data SIM card for Portugal?
Nowadays, the most viable option for tourists or travelers is to buy SIM cards before arriving at their destination; these chips can be found in online stores. We all know the advantages that this type of purchases offer; an almost automatic system through web pages, a quick buy with different payment methods available, and free deliveries to your home! A world of possibilities from your comfort.
Another way, and perhaps more common, is to buy SIM cards for Portugal once you arrive in the country. Of course, you should know which cellular carriers operate there, look for a physical store or representative near your place of arrival and take the necessary precautions before buying it.
Buy my Portugal SIM card before traveling.
You may be wondering why you should consider buying SIM cards before your trip. Well, this way is very easy. Online stores offer these chips remotely, so if you are anywhere in the world and plan to travel to Portugal, you can make the purchase, wait for the SIM Card to arrive at your home and you will be prepared to have no connection problems once you are at your destination.
If you are worried about waiting or that the delivery of the SIM Card will be delayed, international eSIM Cards are most likely your alternative. More about this new technology later.
How much does a SIM card for Portugal cost?
Nowadays, there are many providers with which you can buy a SIM card for Portugal, and in turn, plenty of plans and services to select from each one, the costs of this type of SIM card are always related to the data package you choose and the duration of the plan.
If you know the duration of your trip and have an idea of your cellular data usage, you can select a plan that suits you. For Portugal, costs can range from $5 for 1 GB and seven days of service as a basic plan, from $20 to $40 for plans between 3-6 GB, and 15-30 days of service for more consolidated plans and up to $90 for 90 days plans for longer stays.
Buy my SIM card in Portugal.
As well as, there are SIM card providers for Portugal remotely with online stores. You also have the possibility to buy your SIM card once you arrive in the country with local cellular operators.
Telecommunications in Portugal has a good market. This gives rise to three major competing companies; these are MEO, Vodafone, and NOS. Each with advantages and disadvantages that we will mention below.
MEO
It is the cellular provider with the most subscribers in Portugal, making it the most popular. It not only offers cellular services but also has in its product range local fixed lines, internet, and television.
Advantages:
- Wide range of packages and plans, with easy activation via SMS.
- Offers 5G speeds.
Disadvantages:
- No unlimited data plans for tourists.
- You cannot share data with prepaid SIM cards for tourists.
- It is a company that only has operations in Portugal.
Vodafone
If you have already heard of Vodafone, it is because this company has had a strong presence in the European market for years. The Portuguese country is no exception, and Vodafone has become the biggest competitor at the moment.
Advantages:
- Good coverage throughout the territory of Portugal, plus coverage support in 28 other countries in Europe.
- In case you only want an internet connection, they offer a SIM card for data only, without calls or SMS.
Disadvantages:
- Offers unlimited data only for Portugal, with no roaming options for other European countries.
- Does not offer 24/7 customer service, only during business hours.
NOS
In terms of customers, NOS is considered the third most important in Portugal. Being a smaller company, it has good coverage but lower performance than the two previous ones.
Advantage:
- They offer the possibility to combine benefits between all the plans they offer.
- They also offer SIM cards only for data, so you will not have to pay more for calls or SMS that you will not use.
Disadvantages:
- Like Meo, this is a company with operations only in Portugal.
- It has less coverage quality compared to its competitors.
- Its speed is a little slower than its competitors.
eSIM card for Portugal, the new alternative
The digital evolution of the SIM card is called eSIM Card. As its name suggests, it is an entirely virtual service which means that it does not need a physical chip inserted in your phone. To use the eSIM Card, you just have to buy them through online stores, such as Holafly, receive a QR to scan, and then simply, in a couple of minutes, activate your eSIM for Portugal on your phone. That way, you will be connected to the internet without any problems.
Of course, it is important to mention that this new technology is not present in all cellular devices. We invite you to check a couple of requirements before making your purchase:
- As we mentioned before, you will receive a QR, and it will be sent to your email, so you need to have access to your email to activate your eSIM.
- You must verify that your phone is compatible with this technology. This can be found in the configuration menu depending on the make and model of your device.
- You have the possibility to use your eSIM Card and your domestic SIM card simultaneously without one affecting the operation of either.
- It is necessary to have an internet connection at the moment of activating your eSIM Card. This is why most users purchase this product before making their trip.
How much does the eSIM for Portugal cost?
The eSIM Card is not only a functional and practical alternative, but in numerous instances, it also represents lower costs for its users in terms of plans and services. Here is a list of the costs of Holafly’s eSIM for Portugal:
| Days of use | Amount of cellular data | Price (USD) |
| 5 days | Unlimited data | $19 |
| 10 days | Unlimited data | $34 |
| 15 days | Unlimited data | $47 |
| 20 days | Unlimited data | $54 |
| 30 days | Unlimited data | $64 |
| 60 days | Unlimited data | $84 |
| 90 days | Unlimited data | $99 |
Frequently asked questions about the Portugal SIM card
We have reached the end of this article, and we hope you have learned everything about the best SIM card for internet connection in Portugal. However, before we finish, we would like to leave you with some frequently asked questions that travelers tend to have about this service:
How much does it cost to roam in Portugal?
The rates charged by cellular operators for roaming service in Portugal usually vary a lot depending on the operator you use. However, in most cases, the price per MB charged is around $7 to $15.
Do I have to return the data SIM card for Portugal?
No. Once you’ve finished your data plan, recycle it. The card cannot be re-used.
What other options offer me internet in Portugal?
Nowadays, there are many alternatives with which you can connect to the internet during your trip to Portugal, such as the SIM card and eSIM we told you about recently. However, other options such as international roaming or Pocket WiFi are also possible to use, but they are more expensive options.
What do I do if my SIM card does not work in Portugal?
In case your SIM card does not work or have any issue, you can always contact your provider’s customer service. However, if you want to have 24-hour customer service, you can enjoy this benefit by purchasing Holafly’s eSIM!
