Whether or not you are a tech-savvy person, this is still quite an important part of everyday life – and it is no different in Portugal! Access to high-speed internet and mobile communication is essential for expats and a great way to keep in touch with friends and family back home. Generally speaking, Wi-Fi is easily accessible throughout the country, and there are several high-speed internet providers, making it extremely easy for expats to set up local phone numbers and connect to the internet. Here's an overview of Portuguese telecommunications for expats.
Phone and internet providers in Portugal
In Portugal, there are four main network operators to choose from: MEO, Vodafone, NOS and DIGI. However, and in addition to these, there are a number of MVNOs (mobile virtual network operators) that use one of these three networks. For that reason, there's an ever-increasing number of choices and options, so it may pay off to browse and shop around.
It's also worth noting that providers usually offer discounts if you take out more than one service with them (TV, Wi-Fi, internet, mobile phone). If you end up subscribing to a package, keep in mind that prices in Portugal are lower the longer you commit to a contract. For example, if you sign a 24-month contract with a provider, your monthly fee will be much smaller than it would be if you had signed an agreement on a month-by-month basis. Furthermore, by signing a long-term deal, providers also waive installation fees and usually offer other perks, like streaming subscriptions or premium sports channels, for a couple of months.
Although this may sound good on paper, the truth is telecom companies in Portugal are unfortunately known for engaging in price gouging and price fixing, as well as many other predatory politics.
Luckily, 2024 saw a new industry player, with DIGI entering the telecom market, helping customers break away from decades of an unofficial monopoly by traditional companies. Besides offering prices that, depending on the service, can be up to 5x lower than the competition (the companies have matched those rates in the meantime), DIGI also offers services without the need to sign a 24-month contract, meaning customers are free to negotiate and find better alternatives whenever they want (for mobile services) or after only 3 months (TV service and broadband).
Good to know:
For now, though, DIGI still isn't able to provide a reliable service in deep rural areas.
Using mobile phones in Portugal
Mobile operators in Portugal include:
Íæż½ã½ãs have a few mobile phone options, including either purchasing a local SIM card for an existing phone on a prepaid plan or signing a contract.
Prepaid SIM cards can be purchased from many retailers and convenience stores. These cards can be inserted into your own phone or a local phone, and you can top up with credit as you go. This can be an inexpensive and simple way of setting up a local phone number.
Íæż½ã½ãs in Portugal are eligible to sign up for postpaid plans or mobile phones on a contract as long as certain requirements are met. You will need to present certain documentation, such as your tax number, a copy of your passport or identity card, proof of local address and your bank account number. Although signing a phone service contract used to mean users had to commit to that company for a specific period (usually 2 years), that is no longer the case thanks to DIGI. You may now sign into a phone plan and change to a different company the next month if you wish to do so.
Landlines in Portugal
While most Portuguese homes also used to have a landline, many people are choosing to skip it and stick to mobile phones, TV and internet services.
To set up a phone line in your new property, first, you need to select a service provider. The provider will ask for a few details, such as proof of address, valid ID and bank account details. The setup process is straightforward, and your new phone should be connected and working within a week.
Internet and Wi-Fi in Portugal
Internet access will be an important part of your everyday life once you are away from your friends and relatives in a new country. As mentioned above, Portugal has a modern and solid telecommunications infrastructure that is supported by many internet service providers. In general, these offer high-speed internet.
According to the , Portugal boasts the 22nd fastest internet speed in the world, with an average Wi-Fi download speed of 214.20 Mbps. As for mobile data, average speeds stand at 135.11 Mbps, ranking 28th worldwide. Wi-Fi is prevalent nationwide, with many cities offering free Wi-Fi zones. It can also be found within cafes, hotels, bars or public buildings. You can also access wireless hotspots or purchase Wi-Fi through portable dongles, which allow you to pre-purchase a set amount of internet bandwidth.
We do our best to provide accurate and up to date information. However, if you have noticed any inaccuracies in this article, please let us know in the comments section below.
