Portugal uses the GSM, UMTS, LTE and NR network for its mobile communications infrastructures. This means that most expats and visitors will be able to connect upon arrival, provided their mobile phones are compatible with these technologies and their subscriptions have roaming agreemments enable.

Please note that if you use a SIM card from your country of origin to communicate with Portuguese telephone numbers (fixed or mobile numbers), this is treated as an international communication, and so the cost of which depends on your tariff.

If you come from a country in the European Economic Area (EEA)* you can take advantage of Roam Like At Home regime. This means you can continue to use the contract you already have in your country of origin, but with limitations, in terms of fair use policy and only for a certain period.

This option may not be the best one, depending on how long you intend to stay in Portugal.

To enjoy roaming services without additional costs, users must have normal residence or stable links that imply a frequent and significant presence in the Member State where their roaming service operator is based.

Otherwise, depending on how long you stay in Portugal, your operator may impose a surcharge under its fair use policy.

If you are coming for a short period of time and are not from an EEA country, you may want to consider the option of purchasing a pre-paid card in Portugal with no commitment or the option of signing a contract with no binding period.

* The countries of the European Union, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.