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Getting a SIM card in Lisbon turned into a two day project
I figured it would be a quick stop at a store, but the language barrier and needing a local tax number made it a huge mess. I spent over 6 hours across two days just to get basic data. Anyone have a smoother way to handle mobile plans in Portugal?
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sage5215h ago
Two days for a SIM card is the kind of tourist trap they don't put in the guidebooks. I can picture you just standing in some store holding your passport while a guy types with one finger. The future is apparently downloading your phone service before you even pack your socks. Next time just mail them your passport and a blood sample ahead of time to save the trip.
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olivia47823h ago
Ugh, that sounds like a total nightmare. I read a travel blog recently where someone said they just ordered a Portuguese eSIM online before their trip and activated it the second they landed. It bypassed the whole store and tax number mess completely. They said it was way cheaper than airport options too, and they had data right away for maps. Honestly, after hearing your story, that pre-trip download method seems like the only sane way to go. I'd be so frustrated wasting two vacation days on phone stuff.
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