Best Broadband and Mobile Providers in Portugal 2024

Choosing the best broadband and mobile providers in Portugal? Our streamlined guide evaluates MEO, NOS, NOWO, and Vodafone on the essential factors of coverage, cost, and customer experience, aiding your decision whether you’re landing as a new resident or simply scouting for a better deal.
Ana Fankhauser
January 11, 2024
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Choosing the best broadband and mobile providers in Portugal? Our streamlined guide evaluates MEO, NOS, NOWO, and Vodafone on the essential factors of coverage, cost, and customer experience, aiding your decision whether you’re landing as a new resident or simply scouting for a better deal.

Key Takeaways

  • Portugal has a competitive telecom market, with major broadband providers like MEO, NOS, NOWO, and Vodafone offering various services, including a push for nationwide fiber coverage and entertainment-specialized packages.
  • Mobile providers cater to expats and students, with offerings such as prepaid SIM cards and tailored plans for Erasmus students, ensuring flexible and affordable connectivity options without the need for long-term contracts.
  • The process of setting up internet and phone services in Portugal for foreigners is straightforward with the proper documentation, and there are clear procedures for switching providers, making complaints, and using additional services like VPNs and TV subscriptions.

Comparing Broadband Providers in Portugal

broadband providers in Portugal

Portugal boasts a strong line-up of internet service providers, each offering diverse services and packages. Whether you’re after a comprehensive bundle to cover all your digital needs or simply want to find an affordable broadband solution, the four major players in the Portuguese telecommunications marketplace have you covered:

  • MEO
  • NOS
  • NOWO
  • Vodafone

MEO: Expanding Fiber Coverage

MEO has set a mission to ensure fiber coverage across Portugal. They showcase their commitment by aiming to reach every town nationwide by 2020. The expansion isn’t merely for display purposes, but it significantly enhances mobile data services and overall user connectivity.

Moreover, regions such as Beja, Cartaxo, and Sintra boast of MEO’s achievement of 100% fiber coverage. Their dedication to delivering the best internet services, including satellite internet, is evident in their introduction of a 10 Gbps fiber broadband service, providing speeds up to 10 times faster than previous offerings.

NOS: Entertainment Specialization

NOS has carved a unique niche for itself in the Portuguese telecommunications landscape with its focus on entertainment. They provide an impressive array of TV channels and streaming services, all backed by a reliable internet connection to ensure a seamless user experience.

The reliability of NOS’s services extends beyond their vast offerings, evident in the stability they maintain through their standard 24-month loyalty period. This ensures that users enjoy consistent internet connections throughout the contract duration.

NOWO: Affordable Broadband Solutions

NOWO stands out in the Portuguese telecom market for its affordable broadband and mobile services. Recognized for their competitive pricing, NOWO delivers reliable phone connections, ensuring clear voice calls for users.

They cater to varying customer needs with a spectrum of packages, ranging from internet-only to TV NET VOZ packages, which include internet, TV, and phone services. Their packages are typically cheaper than those offered by other providers in the country, making NOWO a cost-effective choice for those seeking quality services at a lower price point.

Vodafone: Comprehensive Bundles and Services

Vodafone, a name recognized globally, offers extensive bundles that encompass internet, TV, and mobile services in Portugal. Their services are usually associated with 24-month contracts and are supported by an expanding fiber network.

Their Fibra 4 Plus bundle offers customers a range of services, including internet, TV, and fixed line calls through their phone line. Additionally, Vodafone’s bundles have a wide array of supplementary services like Voice Tariffs, Mobile Broadband, prepaid SIM cards, and more, catering to diverse customer requirements.

Mobile Providers in Portugal: Choices for Expats and Students

mobile providers in Portugal tailored for expats and students

In addition to broadband, Portugal offers a variety of mobile providers catering to different needs. The choices are particularly appealing to expats and students, who can benefit from options like prepaid SIM cards and special plans for Erasmus students.

Best Mobile Providers for Erasmus Students

Mobile providers like WTF, Moche, and Yorn are highly recommended for Erasmus students in Portugal. They acknowledge students’ unique needs and tailor services to meet them.

They offer a mobile internet tariff with mobile internet and a reliable phone connection, providing free calls for just €5/week. This package includes 10GB of data and 10,000 minutes to call between numbers registered in their network. The beauty of these services is that they don’t require a contract, giving students the flexibility they need while studying abroad and using their mobile phones.

Prepaid SIM Cards: Flexibility for Expats

For expats in Portugal, prepaid SIM cards offer a great deal of flexibility. Recommended prepaid SIM card options include:

  • Meo
  • Vodafone
  • NOS
  • Airalo

MEO and NOS are recognized for offering the most comprehensive coverage through their own networks.

Purchasing and activating a prepaid SIM card in Portugal is straightforward. They are readily available at:

  • MEO
  • Vodafone
  • NOS stores
  • larger convenience stores
  • supermarkets

Topping up the balance is easy too, with options available through PayShops or Portuguese online banking.

Setting Up Internet and Phone Services as a Foreigner

Setting up internet and phone services as a foreigner in Portugal can seem daunting, but it’s not as complicated as it may seem. With the right documentation, you can easily get your services up and running.

Switching Providers: Understanding Contract Lengths and Fees

If considering switching providers, understanding the implications of contract lengths and fees becomes critical. The standard contract length for internet providers in Portugal is usually two years, although some providers may offer shorter contracts.

However, early termination of a contract can result in fees. These fees can vary depending on the provider and the remaining contract duration. For mobile providers, the fee can be as high as 500 euros, although some providers may try to minimize these costs.

Additional Services: VPNs, TV Subscriptions, and Bill Payments

Beyond the basic services, Portugal extends a suite of additional services, encompassing VPNs for online privacy, TV subscriptions catering to diverse viewing preferences, and multiple methods for bill payments.

VPN Usage in Portugal

Given Portugal’s swift digital transformation, VPN usage has gained prominence. A VPN enhances online privacy and allows users to bypass restrictions and access content from their home countries or other global platforms.

Although no laws prohibit VPN usage in Portugal, users must ensure they are used strictly for legal purposes. Some of the top VPN services available in Portugal include:

  • NordVPN
  • IPVanish
  • CyberGhost
  • ExpressVPN

TV Subscription Options

TV subscription options in Portugal present a variety of pricing structures and channel offerings. Major companies like MEO, Vodafone, NOS, and NOWO provide a plethora of options, with pricing mainly determined by the chosen package and the content preferences of the viewers.

Netflix is also available, with plans starting at 7,99€ per month for Basic. Sharing an account with non-household members incurs a further fee of 3,99€ per profile.

For sports lovers, popular sports channels include:

  • RTP
  • SIC
  • TVI
  • Sport TV
  • DAZN
  • Warner Bros Discovery

Different internet provider companies offer packages that are available from various providers.

Paying Your Bills: Bank Transfers and Automatic Collections

Regarding bill payments, Portugal provides a variety of methods, including bank transfers and automatic collections. However, to utilize these services, a Portuguese bank account is required, which can be linked to your international bank account number.

Transfers within Portugal may not incur fees, but those to or from outside the EU/EEA could be subject to charges by Portuguese banks. It’s advisable to inquire directly with your bank in Portugal to obtain specific information about rates.

Making Complaints About Telecom Companies in Portugal

If you’re unhappy with your telecom service provider, Portugal has a clear process for lodging complaints. By contacting the provider first and escalating to the regulatory body, ANACOM, if necessary, you can ensure your concerns are addressed.

Summary

Navigating the world of Portuguese telecommunications can be a challenge, especially for expats and students. However, with a little research and understanding of the available options, you can find a provider and plan that suit your needs perfectly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which internet provider is the best in Portugal?

The top internet providers in Portugal are MEO, Vodafone, NOS, and NOWO, giving you a range of options to choose from.

Is Internet service good in Portugal?

Internet service in Portugal is good, with options including fiber-optic, offering speeds up to 1 Gbps, and an average peak internet access speed of 34.5 megabits per second. (No date)

What are the fees associated with terminating a broadband or mobile contract early in Portugal?

If you terminate a broadband or mobile contract early in Portugal, you may incur fees, which can vary based on your provider and the remaining contract duration. Keep this in mind before making any decisions.

Which TV providers are considered to be among the top in Portugal?

MEO, Vodafone, NOS, and NOWO are considered to be among the top TV providers in Portugal. Consider exploring their offerings to find the best fit for your needs.

What are the steps involved in filing a complaint about a telecom company in Portugal?

The first step in filing a complaint about a telecom company in Portugal is to directly send the complaint to the company.

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Ana Fankhauser

Ana has worked in many startups and moved to a few countries, which led her to create MovingTo. She believes that remote work is a growing trend that is here to stay and that digital nomads will move to countries that have more to offer than the ones you were born into. She mostly writes opinion pieces for MovingTo.

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