Before visiting Portugal, you have to know the different prepaid phone plan providers in the country, especially if you are going to just stay temporarily and use your prepaid phone. Currently, there are three national GSM and 3G prepaid phone operators in Portugal, namely: Vodafone Telecel, Telecomunicacoes Moveis Nacionais S.A and Optimus Telecomunicacoes, S.A. Four Internet based prepaid phone offers: Vodafone Directo, Uzo (by TMN), Rede4 (by Optimus) and Worten Mobile (Rede Bónus). Plus two virtual prepaid phone operators: ZON Multimédia – Serviços de Telecomunicações e Multimédia, SGPS, S.A. and CTT – Correios de Portugal (Phone-ix).
The mobile prefix for Portugal is +351. Their currency is in Euro. The electricity available in Portugal is 230 Volts with an electrical frequency of 50 Hertz. Time Zone in Portugal is UTC/GMT +1.
National GSM and 3G Prepaid Phone Operators in Portugal
The first prepaid phone operator in Portugal is Vodafone Telecel or more commonly known as Vodafone Portugal. This mobile communications company was founded in October 1992 and is headquartered in Lisbon, Portugal. The prepaid phone card name for Vodafone Portugal is called “Vitaminas.” The activation fee for this prepaid phone card is € 20.00 with 15.00 credits. Vitaminas prepaid phone cards are valid for 6 months. The net frequency for Vodafone Portugal are GSM 900/1800 and WCDMA 2100. The logo for this prepaid phone card is vodafone pt with 268 01 as its net code.
There are three voice tariffs under Vitaminas, namely: Vita Light Bónus, Vita Light Total and Vita Light Total ao Segundo. Vita Light Bónus offers: calls to Vodafone Portugal is € 0.2063, calls to land line for € 0.5147, calls to others for € 0.6556 with incoming calls bonus of € 0.0198. Vita Light Total offers all calls for € 0.2876 and Vita Light Total ao Segundo offers all calls for € 0.354.
Additional Services and Costs:
Messaging:
- SMS – € 0.121
- MMS – € 0.394
Video Calls (W-CDMA only):
- Calls to Vodafone Portugal – € 0.397
- Calls to other mobiles – € 0.803
- International Calls – € 1.01
Customer Service: € 0.158/call
Data Calls: Vodafone Live! Portal – € 0.25
International Calls:
- Zone 1 (EU, Norway, Switzerland (land lines), Canada, USA) - € 0.427 (Monday-Friday); € 0.203 (Saturday-Sunday)
- Zone 2 (EU, Norway, Switzerland (mobile lines), plus: rest of Europe, Algeria, Angola, Australia, Brazil, Capo Verde, Macau, Morocco, Mozambique, South Africa, Tunisia and Venezuela) - € 0.559 (Monday-Friday); € 0.356 (Saturday-Sunday)
- Rest of the World - € 1.322
International Roaming: International roaming service for Vodafone Portugal available, see here
Debiting Method:
National and International Calls
- Vita Light Bónus, Total – 60/10
- Vita Light Total ao Segundo – 10/1
Recharge and Credits:
- € 7.50/7.50
- € 15.00/15.00
- € 35.00/35.00
Validity Period: At least 1 billed call every 6 months
The second prepaid phone operator in Portugal is Telecomunicacoes Moveis Nacionais S.A or also called as TMN Portugal. The company was founded in March 1989 and is headquartered in Lisbon, Portugal. The prepaid phone card name for Vodafone Portugal is called “Recarregaveis.” The activation fee for this prepaid phone card is € 20.00 with 15.00 credits. Recarregaveis prepaid phone cards are valid for 6 months. The net frequency for TMN Portugal are GSM 900/1800 and WCDMA 2100. The logo for this prepaid phone card is P TMN/P TELEMOVEL with 268 06 as its net code.
There are two voice tariffs under Recarregaveis, namely: Pako and Leve. Pako offers: calls to TMN Portugal (<1min) for € 0.252, calls to TMN Portugal (>1min) for € 0.201 and other calls for € 0.594. For every minute of incoming/outgoing calls, users gain an extra credit of € 0.025 for a maximum of € 0.20 per call. Leve offers: all calls (<1min) for € 0.352 and all calls for (>1min) for € 0.302.
Additional Services and Costs:
Messaging:
SMS
- National – € 0.151
- International – € 0.223
MMS
- National Picture MMS – € 0.39
- National Video MMS – € 0.59
- International picture MMS – € 0.69
- International video MMS – € 0.99
Video Calls (W-CDMA only):
- Calls to TMN – € 0.399
- Calls to other mobiles – € 0.799
- International Calls – € 1.004
Data Calls: GPRS/UMTS
- Acesso Base – € 4.96/MB (10 KB increments)
- Acesso Standard – € 1.02/10min
International Calls:
- Zone 1 (EU, Andorra, Norway, Switzerland (land lines), Canada, USA) - € 0.424 (Monday-Friday); € 0.212 (Saturday-Sunday)
- Zone 2 (EU, Andorra, Norway, Switzerland (mobile lines), rest of Europe) - € 0.456 (Monday-Friday); € 0.391 (Saturday-Sunday)
- Zone 3 (Algeria, Angola, Australia, Brazil, Macau, Morocco, South Africa, Tunisia and Venezuela) - € 0.532 (Monday-Friday); € 0.391 (Saturday-Sunday)
- Rest of the World - € 1.338
International Roaming: International roaming service for TMN Portugal available, see here
Recharge, Credit and Validity:
- € 10.00/10.00/3 months
- € 25.00/25.00/3 months
- € 50.00/55.00/3 months
- € 75.00/85.00/3 months
- € 100.00/115.00/3 months
- € 125.00/145.00/3 months
- € 150.00/175.00/3 months
The third prepaid phone card name for Portugal is Optimus Telecomunicacoes, S.A or Optimus Portugal. This telecommunications company was established in 1998 and is headquartered in Porto, Portugal. The prepaid phone card name for Optimus Portugal is called “Livre.” The activation fee for this prepaid phone card is € 24.90 with 15.00 credits. Livre prepaid phone cards are valid for 3 months. The net frequency for Optimus Portugal is GSM 900/1800. The logo for this prepaid phone card is P03 / P OPTIMUS with a net code of 268 03.
There are two voice tariffs under Livre, namely: Livre Bónusand Total. Livre Bónus offers calls to Optimus Portugal for € 0.206, calls to land line for € 0.515 and other calls for € 0.656. For every call users receive they get a € 0.02/min bonus for a maximum of € 0.20 per call. While Total offers all calls for € 0.188.
Additional Services and Costs:
Messaging:
- National SMS, Livre Bonus – 0.121
- National SMS, Total – 0.111
- International SMS – € 0.232
- MMS – € 0.39
Voicemail: € 0.05/call
Customer Service: € 0.05/call
Data Calls:
- GPRS daily usage – max € 0.99 including 10MB
- GPRS monthly – € 7.50 including 100MB
International Calls:
- Europe – € 0.66/min
- America, Africa – € 0.68
- Rest of the World – € 1.37
International Roaming:
- EU - € 0.552 (outgoing); € 0.264 (incoming
- Rest of Europe - € 1.736 (outgoing); € 0.694 (incoming)
- Africa & America - € 2.083 (outgoing); € 0.793 (incoming)
- Asia & Oceania - € 2.479 (outgoing); € 1.488 (incoming)
- SMS Sending - € 0.446 (EU); € 0.545 (Rest of the World)
Debiting Method: 60/10
Recharge and Credit: From € 7.50 to € 100.00 (with bonus over € 50.00)
Inernet Based Prepaid Phone Offers in Portugal
The first Internet-based prepaid phone offer in Portugal is Vodafone Directo. The prepaid phone card name for Vodafone Directo is called “Vodafone Directo.” The activation fee for this prepaid phone car is € 7.50. The net frequency for Vodafone Directo is GSM 900/1800. The logo for this prepaid phone card is Vodafone PT. Vodafone Directo is a network under Vodafone Portugal.
Vodafone Directo offers all calls for € 0.162.
Additional Services and Costs:
Messaging:
- National SMS – € 0.081
- International SMS – € 0.2261
- MMS – € 0.404
Data Calls: Vodafone Live! Portal – € 0.25
International Calls:
- Zone 1 (EU, Norway, Switzerland (land lines), Canada, USA) - € 0.4235 (Monday-Friday); € 0.2014 (Saturday-Sunday)
- Zone 2 (EU, Norway, Switzerland (mobile lines), plus: rest of Europe, Algeria, Angola, Australia, Brazil, Capo Verde, Macau, Morocco, Mozambique, South Africa, Tunisia and Venezuela) - € 0.5544 (Monday-Friday); € 0.3530 (Saturday-Sunday)
- Rest of the World - € 1.311
Debiting Method: 60/10
Recharge and Credits:
- € 7.50/7.50
- € 15.00/15.00
- € 35.00/35.00
The second Internet based prepaid phone offer in Portugal is Uzo (by TMN). The prepaid phone card name for Uzo Portugal is called “Uzo.” The activation fee for this prepaid phone card is € 10.00 for two prepaid phone cards with 10.00 credits each. Uzo prepaid phone cards are only valid for 30 days after activation. The net frequency for Uzo Portugal is MVNO (on GSM 900/1800). The logo for this prepaid phone card is UZO with a net code of 268 06. Uzo Portugal is a network under TMN Portugal.
Uzo offers all calls for € 0.162.
Additional Services and Costs:
Messaging:
- National SMS – € 0.081
- International SMS – € 0.227
- MMS – € 0.396
Data Calls:
- Wap – € 0.356 per session
- Web – max € 0.999 per day at 100KB increments (€ 0.333/100KB) till a max of 10MB/day after 10MB day you spend € 0.0999/MB
International Calls: International prepaid phone calls available, see here
International Roaming:
- EU - € 0.592 (outgoing); € 0.29 (incoming); € 0.49 (SMS)
- Zone 1 (Macedonia (FYROM), Norway, Switzerland) - € 1.60 (outgoing); € 0.60 (incoming); € 0.49 (SMS)
- Zone 2 (Brasil, Cabo Verde, Croatia, USA, Morocco, Dominican Rep., Tunisia, Turkey) - € 2.10 (outgoing); € 0.80 (incoming); € 0.65 (SMS)
- Zone 3 (Anguilla, Antigua, Barbados, Barbuda, Bermudas, Dominica, Grenada, Cayman, Israel, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, Serbia-Montenegro, Thailand) - € 3.20 (outgoing); € 1.60 (incoming); € 0.65 (SMS)
- Zone 4 (Cuba, Kazakhstan) - € 4.84 (outgoing); € 2.42 (incoming); € 1.15 (SMS)
Debiting Method: 60/10
Recharge, Credit and Validity:
- € 7.50/7.50/120 days
- € 15.00/15.00//120 days
The third Internet based prepaid phone offer in Portugal is Rede4 (by Optimus). The prepaid phone card name for Rede4 Portugal is called “Rede4.” The activation fee for this prepaid phone card is € 9.90 with 5.00 credits plus € 5 bonus at first € 15 refill. Rede4 prepaid phone cards are valid for 120 days. The net frequency for Rede4 Portugal is MVNO (on GSM 900/1800). The logo for this prepaid phone card is Rede4 with 268 13 as its net code. Rede4 Portugal is a network under Optimus Portugal.
There are two voice tariffs under Rede4, namely: Tarifário ao Minuto (60/10) that offers all calls for € 0.1619 and Tarifário ao Segundo (1/1) offers all calls for € 0.246.
Additional Services and Costs:
Messaging:
- National SMS – € 0.0809
- International SMS – € 0.238
- MMS – € 0.40
Voicemail: Activation cost € 5.00; € 0.40 per call
Data Calls:
- GPRS daily usage – max € 0.99 including 10MB
- GPRS monthly – € 7.50 including 100MB
International Calls:
- Europe, USA, Canada – € 0.447
- America, Africa – € 0.502
- Asia, Oceania – € 1.360
International Roaming: International roaming service for Rede4 Portugal available, see Optimus
Debiting Method:
- National calls – 60/10 or 1/1
- Other calls – 60/10
Recharge and Credits:
- € 7.50/7.50
- € 15.00/15.00
The fourth Internet based prepaid phone offer in Portugal is Worten Mobile (Rede Bónus). The prepaid phone card name for Worten Mobile Portugal is called “Rede Bónus.” The activation fee for this prepaid phone card is € 9.90 with 5.00 credits plus € 5 bonus at first compulsory refill. The net frequency for Worten Mobile Portugal is MVNO (on GSM 900/1800, WCDMA 2100). The logo for this prepaid phone card is Rede Bonus with 268 13 as its net code. Worten Mobile Portugal is a network under Optimus Portugal.
Rede Bónus offers calls to Rede Bónus for € 0.10, calls to land line for € 0.20 and other calls for € 0.40.
Additional Services and Costs:
Messaging:
- SMS to Rede Bonus, Optimus – € 0.07
- SMS to other operators – € 0.11
- MMS – € 0.39
Video Calls:
- To Rede Bónus, land line – € 0.39/min
- Other national video calls – € 0.79/min
- International video calls – € 0.99/min
Data Calls:
- GPRS/UMTS Wap portal – € 0.002/KB
- GPRS/UMTS, outside wap portal – € 0.01/KB
- GPRS/UMTS Internet – € 0.0025/KB
**Data is billed at 10KB increments
International Calls:
- Europe – € 0.4356
- Africa, America – € 0.60
- Rest of the World – € 1.34
International Roaming: International roaming service for Worten Mobile Portugal available, see Optimus
Debiting Method: 60/10
Recharge, Credit and Validity:
- € 10.00/10.00, 24 days
- € 20.00/20.00, 48 days
- € 30.00/30.00, 72 days
- € 40.00/40.00, 96 days
- € 50.00/50.00, 120 days
Virtual Prepaid Phone Operators in Portugal
The first virtual prepaid phone operator in Portugal is ZON Multimédia – Serviços de Telecomunicações e Multimédia, SGPS, S.A. The prepaid phone card name for ZON Multimedia Portugal is called “ZON.” Zon prepaid phone cards are valid for 120 days. The net frequency for Zon Multimedia Portugal is MVNO (on GSM 900/1800, WCDMA 2100). The logo for this prepaid phone card is ZON Mobile with a net code of 268 01. Zon Multimedia Portugal is a network under Vodafone Portugal.
There are two voice tariffs under Zon, namely: Z-Livre and Z-Simples. Z-Livre offers voice calls for € 0.24 and video calls for € 0.84. Z-Simples offers voice calls for € 0.15 and video calls for € 0.84. This plan has a minimum monthly top-up fee of € 12.50.
Additional Services and Cost:
Messaging:
- SMS, Z-Livre – € 0.12
- SMS, Z-Simples – € 0.09
- International SMS – € 0.30
- MMS – € 0.39
- International MMS – € 0.60
Voicemail: Available, rates are unknown
Data Calls: GPRS/3G – € 0.99/day till max 10MB (1MB increments)
International Calls: International prepaid phone calls available, see here
International Roaming:
- Zone 1 - € 0.552 (local calls, to PT & Zone 1); € 0.264 (incoming calls); € 2.990 (calls to Zone 2 & 3)
- Zone 2 - € 2.190 (local calls, to PT & Zone 1); € 0.890 (incoming calls); € 3.490 (calls to Zone 2 & 3)
- Zone 3 - € 3.190 (local calls, to PT & Zone 1); € 1.890 (incoming calls); € 4.290 (calls to Zone 2 & 3)
- Video Calls surcharge - € 0.690 (local calls, to PT & Zone 1); € 0.390 (incoming calls); € 0.690 (calls to Zone 2 & 3)
- SMS - € 0.490 (to PT & Zone 1; € 0.590 (Zone 2 & 3)
- MMS - € 1.990 (to PT & Zone 1; € 1.990 (Zone 2 & 3)
Debiting Method:
- National and international calls – 1/1
- International roaming – 60/60
Refills and Validity:
- € 7.50 to 12.49, 15 days
- € 12.50 to 24.99, 30 days
- € 25.00 and more, 60 days
The second virtual prepaid phone operator in Portugal is CTT – Correios de Portugal (Phone-ix). The prepaid phone card name for Phone-ix Portugal is called “Phone-ix.” The activation fee for this prepaid phone card is € 10.00 with 10.00 credits. Phone-ix prepaid phone cards are valid for 120 days. The net frequency for Phone-ix Portugal is MVNO (on GSM 900/1800, WCDMA 2100). The logo for this prepaid phone card is phone-ix with a net code of 268 06. CTT Phone-ix Portugal is a network under TMN Portugal.
There are two voice tariffs under Phone-ix, namely: Phone-ix and Phone-ix ao Segundo. Phone-ix offers calls to Phone-ix for € 0.0976 and other calls for € 0.1828. Phone-ix ao Segundo offers calls to Phone-ix for € 0.18 and other calls for € 0.27.
Additional Services and Costs:
Messaging:
- SMS to Phone-ix – € 0.0488
- Other national SMS – € 0.0914
- International SMS – € 0.2204
- National MMS – € 0.389
- International MMS – € 0.6865
Voicemail: Available, rates are unknown
Data Calls: GPRS/3G – € 0.0099/KB (10KB increments)
International Calls: International prepaid phone calls available, see here
International Roaming: International roaming service for Phone-ix Portugal available, see here
Debiting Method:
- National calls – 30/30/10 or 1/1 (ao Segundo)
- International calls – 60/10
- International roaming – 60/60
Refills and Validity:
- € 7.50 to 12.49, 15 days
- € 12.50 to 24.99, 30 days
- € 25.00 and more, 60 days