Trams and trains in Lisbon and Porto, coastal drives in the Algarve and café work days — Portugal is easy with data. Here's what a Portugal eSIM actually costs, and for most trips the cheapest isn't the one I earn a commission from.
How much data do you need in Portugal?
Fixed-data plan prices
Holafly only sells unlimited plans here, so fixed data is Saily against Airalo. Validity matters as much as price: a plan that expires after 7 days is only cheap if your trip is 7 days. Highlighted: the cheaper 30-day option at list price. In amber: Saily's price with my 10% code TRAVELCONNECTLY.
| Data | Saily | Airalo |
|---|---|---|
| 1 GB | $3.997 days$3.59 with code | $4.003 days |
| 3 GB | $7.9930 days$7.19 with code | $6.003 days$6.507 days |
| 5 GB | $9.9930 days$8.99 with code | $7.507 days$8.0015 days$9.0030 days |
| 10 GB | $16.9930 days$15.29 with code | $10.007 days$10.5015 days$11.0030 days |
| 20 GB | $27.9930 days$25.19 with code | $18.5015 days$19.0030 days |
| 50 GB | — | $35.0030 days |
Prices in USD from saily.com and airalo.com, checked 12 October 2026.
What that means: Airalo is far cheaper for fixed data in Portugal — $5.99 less for 10 GB and $8.99 less for 20 GB over 30 days, and still cheaper even with my 10% Saily code. Saily's 3 GB plan is the only small plan that lasts 30 days.
Unlimited plan prices
| Days | Saily | Airalo | Holafly |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | — | $11.50 | $11.90 |
| 5 | $18.99$17.09 with code | $19.00 | $20.50 |
| 7 | $26.99$24.29 with code | $27.00 | $27.50 |
| 10 | $34.99$31.49 with code | $34.50 | $36.50 |
| 15 | $48.99$44.09 with code | $48.00 | $50.50 |
| 30 | $71.99$64.79 with code | $69.00 | $73.90 |
Prices in USD from each provider's Portugal page, checked 12 October 2026. Highlighted: cheapest for that length at list price. In amber: Saily with code TRAVELCONNECTLY. — = not sold at that length.
Saily was a cent cheaper for 5 and 7 days and also sells 20- and 25-day plans ($59.99 and $65.99); Airalo was cheapest for 3, 10, 15 and 30 days, by up to $3. With my code, Saily's unlimited is cheaper at every length it sells.
"Unlimited" rarely means unlimited full speed. Saily states 5 GB per day at full speed, then up to 1 Mbps, with no hotspot restrictions. Holafly states a fair-usage policy that can slow speeds for up to a day, and lets you share 1 GB per day as a hotspot. Airalo's page didn't list its unlimited limits, so check the plan details before buying.
Which one to pick
- Most travelers: Airalo — 5 GB ($9.00) or 10 GB ($11.00) for 30 days, far cheaper than Saily for fixed data. I don't earn a commission from Airalo.
- Heavy use for a week: Saily unlimited — a cent cheaper than Airalo, and $2.71 cheaper with my code.
- A month of heavy use: Airalo's 50 GB ($35.00).
- Portugal plus Spain or more of Europe: compare a Europe plan — see the Europe eSIM guide.
Networks and coverage
Portugal's three main mobile networks are MEO, NOS and Vodafone. Travel eSIMs roam on one or more of them:
- Saily: MEO, Vodafone and NOS.
- Airalo: NOS, plus Vodafone and MEO.
- Holafly: MEO, NOS and Vodafone, with 5G where available.
None of the three includes a local phone number — they're data-only. Use WhatsApp, FaceTime or other internet calling.
Portugal tips
- Coverage is strong in cities and along the coast; in the mountainous interior and on some rural roads it can thin out. Download offline maps before road trips.
- Save train tickets offline in case you lose signal in a station or tunnel.
- Café and coworking WiFi is everywhere but shared — use a VPN on it. See the best VPN for digital nomads.
- Coming from another EU country? Your home plan may already include roaming in Portugal — check before you buy an eSIM.
How much data you need
Using the rates from the trip data calculator — three hours a day of maps, messaging and browsing, an hour of social media and an hour of music, with 40% of your time on WiFi:
- 7 days: about 3.6 GB → a 5 GB plan
- 14 days: about 7.2 GB → a 10 GB plan
- 21 days: about 10.9 GB → a 20 GB plan, or 10 GB plus another small plan
Streaming video or tethering a laptop changes the picture fast — use Find your plan above or the full calculator.
Setting up before you fly
- Check your phone is eSIM-compatible and carrier-unlocked. A phone locked to your home carrier won't accept another provider's eSIM.
- Install the eSIM at home over WiFi. Installation needs a connection; activation can wait. Saily plans can be activated any time within 180 days of purchase and switch on automatically when you arrive.
- On landing, set the eSIM as your data line and turn on data roaming for it. That's normal for travel eSIMs and doesn't cost extra.
- Turn off data roaming on your home SIM so it can still receive calls and texts without running up charges.
More country guides: Japan · Thailand · USA · Turkey · Canada · Italy · Spain · UK · France · Greece · Mexico · China · South Korea · Bali · Europe. Comparing providers? See Saily vs Airalo and Saily vs Holafly across 16 destinations.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best eSIM for Portugal?
On 12 October 2026, Airalo was the cheapest for fixed data — 10 GB for 30 days cost $11.00 against $16.99 at Saily — and for unlimited plans of 10 days or more. Saily was a cent cheaper for 5- and 7-day unlimited plans.
How much is an eSIM for Portugal?
Prices started at $3.99 for 1 GB (Saily, 7 days). 10 GB cost $11.00 for 30 days at Airalo, and unlimited data cost about $27 for a week.
Which network do Portugal travel eSIMs use?
All three name Portugal's main networks: Saily and Holafly list MEO, NOS and Vodafone, and Airalo lists NOS plus Vodafone and MEO.
Do I need a travel eSIM if I live in the EU?
Often not. Under EU roaming rules, many EU mobile plans can be used across the EU at no extra cost, within your operator's fair-use limits. Check your plan first; a travel eSIM makes sense if your allowance is small or you're coming from outside the EU.
Do Portugal eSIMs include a phone number?
No. These are data-only eSIMs, so use WhatsApp, FaceTime or other internet calling. Keep your home SIM active for texts such as bank codes, with its data roaming turned off.