Description
Portugal draws UK visitors all year round: winter sun and golf on the Algarve, a long weekend in Lisbon or Porto, surfing on the west coast and family trips to see relatives. Having mobile data from arrival makes the airport transfer, the tram map and the dinner booking much easier.
The eSIM sits beside your UK SIM rather than replacing it. Your UK number stays in the phone for calls and bank texts, and the eSIM provides the data for maps, messages and ride apps. Choose the plan that matches your stay and turn it on once you land.
Choose your Portugal data plan
There are 17 plans for Portugal. Pick the one that matches the length of your stay and how much you stream, video call or share photos.
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| 100MB – 1 day | £0.52 |
| 1GB – 1 day | £0.72 |
| 1GB – 7 days | £0.79 |
| 3GB – 15 days | £1.83 |
| 2GB – 15 days | £4.12 |
| 3GB – 30 days | £4.88 |
| 5GB – 30 days | £6.75 |
| 10GB – 30 days | £8.25 |
| Unlimited – 3 days | £8.62 |
| Unlimited – 5 days | £14.25 |
| 20GB – 30 days | £14.25 |
| Unlimited – 7 days | £20.25 |
| 50GB – 90 days | £22.27 |
| Unlimited – 10 days | £25.88 |
| Unlimited – 15 days | £36.00 |
| 100GB – 180 days | £43.43 |
| Unlimited – 30 days | £51.75 |
- Long weekend in Lisbon or Porto: 1GB for 7 days or 3GB for 15 days covers maps, trams and messages.
- Two weeks on the Algarve: 5GB for 30 days or 10GB for 30 days covers beach days, directions and video calls home.
- Golf or villa week with heavy use: Unlimited for 7 days if the villa Wi-Fi is unreliable or you stream a lot.
- Winter sun stays: 50GB for 90 days or 100GB for 180 days suits people who spend the colder months in Portugal.
How ordering works
- Choose a plan and place your order. Pay by UK bank transfer or PayPal.
- Once your payment is confirmed, we prepare your eSIM and send you the QR code by email or live chat. Orders are handled by hand, so we suggest ordering at least a day before you fly.
- Scan the QR code at home over Wi-Fi, then switch the eSIM on when you arrive in Portugal.
Installing your eSIM
- iPhone: Settings, Mobile Service (or Mobile Data), Add eSIM, then Use QR Code.
- Samsung Galaxy: Settings, Connections, SIM manager, Add eSIM, then Scan QR code.
- Google Pixel: Settings, Network and internet, SIMs, Add SIM, then Download a SIM instead.
Install it before you travel, while you have a steady Wi-Fi connection. A QR code can usually be installed only once, so do not delete the eSIM from your phone until your trip is over. When you land, turn on the eSIM line, set it as the line for mobile data and switch on data roaming for that eSIM.
Using mobile data in Portugal
Most UK flights arrive at Faro for the Algarve, Lisbon Humberto Delgado or Porto. From the airport, data lets you book a ride app, find the metro in Lisbon or Porto, or follow directions to your villa. Motorways on the Algarve use electronic tolls, so if you hire a car ask the rental company how tolls are paid.
In Lisbon, data is handy for tram and train times, including the lines out to Sintra and Cascais, and for translation when menus are only in Portuguese. Signal can be weaker in the hilly interior and along quiet stretches of the coast.
Check your phone first
Your phone must be unlocked and support eSIM. Most iPhones from the XS and XR onwards, Samsung Galaxy S20 and later, and Google Pixel 3 and later can use one. Some models sold in certain countries have no eSIM, so look for an Add eSIM option in your settings. If you are not sure, ask us before you order.
Good to know
- Data only: these plans give you mobile data, not a local phone number. Use WhatsApp, FaceTime or other apps for calls and messages.
- For travel only: the plans work in Portugal and are not meant for use in the UK.
- Your UK SIM: keep it in the phone to receive texts such as bank codes, but turn off data roaming on it so it does not use data abroad.
- Portugal only: if you drive over the border to Seville or Galicia, you will need a Spain plan for that part of the trip.
- Unlimited plans: a fair-use policy can apply. Ask us if you expect very heavy use.
Questions
Will it work on a day trip across to Spain?
No, this plan is for Portugal only. For a day in Spain, add a Spain plan or ask us which option suits your route.
I spend the winter on the Algarve. Which plan should I choose?
50GB for 90 days or 100GB for 180 days suits a long stay. If you run low, you can order another Portugal plan and add it to your phone.
When should I buy my Portugal eSIM?
A day or more before you travel is best. That leaves time to receive the QR code and install it at home.
When do the days start counting?
The number of days is how long the plan lasts once it is active. Install it before you go and switch it on when you arrive.
Can I cancel after the QR code is sent?
No. Like our other codes, an eSIM cannot be returned once the QR code has been sent. See our refunds and cancellations page.
Would a physical SIM suit me better?
If your phone has no eSIM, look at our EU roaming SIM cards, which we post to UK addresses.
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