Lisbon
SIM providers, plans, and activation tips.
You'll find that getting a Portuguese SIM card is essential for accessing local services, such as MB Way, Portugal's most popular mobile payment system. Most newcomers opt for NOS or MEO, with plans like NOS Iris offering 30GB for 14.99/month, although coverage can be patchy in rural areas. Watch out for limited coverage outside Lisbon, particularly with NOS, which may drop signal repeatedly near Setbal. For a hassle-free start, you can buy a NOS SIM at Lisbon Airport arrivals, open daily from early morning until late evening. To get started today, head to the NOS store at Rua do Ouro 36 in Baixa, open from 9am-8pm, Monday to Saturday, to purchase your SIM card and choose a plan that suits your needs.
Ranked by contributor trust level and quality score.
Setúbal · Experience date Mar 18, 2026
Switched to MEO after NOS dropped signal repeatedly near Setúbal. MEO 20GB for €12.99/month. If you travel around Portugal a lot, MEO network is more reliable outside main cities.
Baixa · Experience date Feb 23, 2026
On NOS Iris 30GB for €14.99/month. Coverage is excellent in Lisbon and Porto but patchy in rural Alentejo. Manage via the NOS app. NIF required for monthly contracts.
Baixa · Experience date Apr 2, 2026
City centre NOS store: Rua do Ouro 36, Baixa — open Mon–Sat 9am–8pm. MEO flagship: Av. Fontes Pereira de Melo 40, near Picoas metro. Vodafone PT: Rua Garrett 12, Chiado. El Corte Inglés on Av. António Augusto de Aguiar has all three carriers on the ground floor. All stores have English-speaking staff. Avoid phone shops in tourist areas like Alfama and the Intendente market — they sometimes sell grey-market or unregistered SIMs.
Baixa · Experience date Dec 4, 2025
Unlike Turkey, Portugal imposes no restrictions on VoIP services. WhatsApp calls, FaceTime, Skype, Zoom — all work perfectly on Portuguese SIMs without any VPN. This is a major quality-of-life improvement for expats arriving from more restrictive countries. You don't need to set up a VPN for communication purposes, though one is still useful for privacy and accessing geo-restricted content.
Baixa · Experience date Jan 5, 2026
After 30 days, a monthly plan offers better value than renewing a tourist SIM. NOS monthly prepaid with 40GB runs €20/month; MEO has a similar 30GB plan for €18. To switch, visit any carrier store with your passport. You don't need a residency permit or NIF for prepaid plans. For postpaid plans (contracts with better data allowances), a NIF number and Portuguese bank account are required — useful once you're settled for 3+ months.
Chiado · Experience date Jan 13, 2026
Tested both extensively: NOS slightly edges MEO for indoor signal in Alfama's dense stone-walled buildings. MEO is stronger on the Estoril coast (Cascais/Estoril line). In central areas — Baixa, Chiado, Bairro Alto, Marquês — both are excellent at full 4G/5G speeds. In Almada (south bank, across the Tagus), NOS has better coverage. For most expats staying in central or north Lisbon, either network is fine.
Mouraria · Experience date Mar 25, 2026
Start with prepaid. Portuguese prepaid SIMs (NOS, MEO, Vodafone PT) require only a passport — no NIF, no bank account, no address proof. Once you have your NIF and a Portuguese bank account (typically 4–8 weeks in), consider switching to a postpaid plan for better data allowances and potential bundling with home internet. Postpaid plans start at €20/month for 50GB+ and include roaming across the EU at no extra charge.
Alfama · Experience date May 1, 2026
Vodafone PT has the most advanced 5G rollout in Lisbon as of 2024, covering Baixa, Chiado, Parque das Nações, and Marquês de Pombal. A 30-day SIM with 20GB costs around €18. Their airport kiosk is landside in arrivals. Vodafone PT's app is in English and Portuguese, and top-ups work seamlessly with any Visa/Mastercard. Best choice if you have a 5G-enabled phone and primarily stay in central Lisbon.
Belém · Experience date May 4, 2026
NOS has a dedicated counter in the arrivals hall at Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS), open daily from early morning until late evening. A 30-day tourist SIM with 20GB data costs around €15. Just show your passport — no residency required. Activation is instant. NOS has the best overall 4G and early 5G coverage across Greater Lisbon, including the metro and main neighbourhoods.
Baixa · Experience date Nov 21, 2025
MB Way is Portugal's near-universal mobile payment and bank transfer app. Linked to your Portuguese bank account or MB Net card. Used for: splitting restaurant bills, paying at markets and small shops, peer-to-peer transfers between Portuguese contacts. You need a Portuguese phone number (+351) to register. Once you have a local SIM and bank account, setting up MB Way should be a priority — it's used more widely in Lisbon than Apple Pay or Google Pay for small transactions.