Mobile and Home Internet Plans in Portugal: Contracts and Rules
Choosing a phone or fiber plan in Portugal is less about the monthly price than about the loyalty period you sign up for. These are the rules ANACOM applies.
Mobile and home internet in Portugal are sold either as prepaid (pré-pago) or as contracts, often bundled with TV and fiber. The main operators are MEO, NOS, Vodafone and DIGI, plus low-cost brands. Contracts can carry a loyalty period (fidelização) of up to 24 months, according to ANACOM, the telecoms regulator.
Operators must also offer contracts without a loyalty period. Rules below follow ANACOM’s consumer guidance and the Electronic Communications Law (Law 16/2022), as of November 2026. Prices change often, so this guide does not quote plan prices.
Which operators can I choose from?
Four networks sell directly to consumers: MEO (owned by Altice Portugal), NOS, Vodafone and DIGI, which entered the Portuguese market in late 2024. Each of the older three also runs a cheaper second brand with simpler, mostly online plans, and several smaller companies resell access to the big networks.
| Option | Typical use | Commitment |
|---|---|---|
| Prepaid SIM | First weeks in Lisbon, light users, visitors | None; top up when needed |
| Mobile contract | Residents who want a fixed monthly price | With or without a loyalty period |
| Bundle (fiber, TV, mobile) | Households with a fixed address | Usually with a loyalty period |
| Low-cost brand plan | Price-focused users who manage things online | Often without a loyalty period |
Coverage in central Lisbon is good on all networks; if you live in an older building or on the edge of the metropolitan area, check each operator’s coverage map for your exact street before signing.
What is fidelização and how long can it last?
A loyalty period is a minimum contract term in exchange for an advantage, such as a lower monthly fee, free installation or a subsidized phone. ANACOM sets the maximum at 24 months, and any new loyalty period after a renewal also cannot exceed 24 months.
Operators are required to offer their services without a loyalty period too. That option usually costs more per month or comes with an installation fee, so compare the total over the time you expect to stay in Portugal, not just the monthly price.
A common trap: changing your plan, accepting a new phone or getting an upgrade can start a new loyalty period. Read the summary sheet (ficha de resumo) before you accept any change by phone.
What does it cost to leave early?
If you cancel during a loyalty period, the operator can charge early-termination fees, but only if they are stated in the contract and the operator can prove you agreed to the loyalty period. Under the rules ANACOM describes, the charge is capped: it cannot exceed the lower of the value of the advantage you received, proportional to the time left, and a percentage of the remaining monthly fees. These calculation rules have applied since 13 January 2023.
If you are leaving Portugal, ask the operator in writing what you will owe before you cancel, and keep the reply. Return any rented equipment (router, TV box) within the deadline the operator sets, since unreturned boxes are billed separately.
Can I keep my number when I switch?
Yes. Number portability is free: operators may not charge you directly for porting. Under ANACOM’s Portability Regulation (Regulation 38/2025), the new operator must port and activate the number within one working day of the date agreed with you, except where physical work on the network is needed.
- Choose the new operator and plan.
- Ask the new operator to port your number; it handles the request with your old operator.
- Have your ID and the details of the current contract holder ready, since the request must match the old account.
- Agree the porting date, and keep your old SIM active until the new one works.
Porting does not cancel debts with the old operator. If you were still in a loyalty period, the old operator can bill the early-termination charges described above.
What do I need to sign up?
For a contract, operators typically ask for an identity document (passport, residence card or EU ID), your NIF (tax number), an address and an IBAN for direct debit. Prepaid SIMs are simpler, but you still need an identity document at the shop.
If you are still waiting for a NIF or a Portuguese bank account, start with prepaid and move to a contract later. For fiber at home, our guide to setting up utilities in Lisbon covers installation and the documents landlords and operators ask for.
How do I complain about my operator?
Complain to the operator first, in writing, and keep the reference number. Every operator must have the Complaints Book (Livro de Reclamações), available in shops and online at livroreclamacoes.pt; complaints filed there are forwarded to ANACOM.
ANACOM runs a consumer portal (anacom-consumidor.pt) with guidance on contracts, billing and portability, and it supervises the operators. For a money dispute, consumer arbitration centers can rule on cases between you and the operator. Lisbon has one for consumer disputes; ask ANACOM’s portal or the operator for the competent center.
Bottom line
If you may leave Portugal within two years, compare the no-loyalty price with the early-termination charge you would face, because the cheaper monthly fee can end up costing more. Ask for the contract summary before signing, check whether an upgrade restarts the 24-month clock, and port your number rather than starting fresh when you switch.
FAQ
Can I get a phone contract without a NIF?
Contracts usually require a NIF, because invoices and direct debits are tied to it. Prepaid SIMs are the practical option until you have one.
Is a 24-month loyalty period mandatory?
No. 24 months is the legal maximum, and operators must also offer contracts without a loyalty period. Those usually have a higher monthly fee or an upfront charge.
How long does number portability take?
Under ANACOM’s portability rules, the number must be ported and active within one working day of the agreed date, unless physical network work is needed. Porting itself is free.
Does moving house let me cancel without fees?
A move does not cancel the contract by itself. Ask the operator whether it can install the service at the new address; the rules on cancellation without charges depend on the situation, so check ANACOM’s consumer portal for your case.
