Which Portuguese phrases matter most here?

“Quero um contrato de telemóvel.” (I want a mobile contract); “Queria um plano com dados ilimitados.” (I’d like a plan with unlimited data); “Quantos dados tenho por mês?” (How much data do I get each month). The full list is above.

Can I hear how they sound?

Not yet: this page has no recordings so far. Each phrase comes with its meaning in English.

How can I practise this conversation?

Press “Start the conversation” above to play it through and choose your replies, with a note on why some fit better in Portugal. Frasa, an iPhone app, lets you save these phrases and rehearse them out loud.

Portuguese phrases for getting a mobile SIM card in Portugal

In a phone shop, say what you want: “Queria um cartão SIM pré-pago, por favor”. Staff usually ask to see ID: “Aqui está o meu passaporte”. Ask about the details, such as “Quantos dados tenho por mês?”, and ask if you can keep your old number: “Posso manter o meu número de telemóvel?”.

Try it · about two minutes

In a phone shop you buy a prepaid SIM card, show your ID and ask to keep your old number.

You choose what to say back, and Frasa tells you why it works.

How does the conversation usually go?

Shop assistant
O que deseja?
What would you like?
You
Queria um cartão SIM pré-pago, por favor.
I’d like a prepaid SIM card, please.
Shop assistant
Temos este plano pré-pago, com dados e chamadas incluídos.
We have this prepaid plan, with data and calls included.
You
Quantos dados tenho por mês?
How much data do I get each month?
Shop assistant
Tem algum documento de identificação com fotografia?
Do you have photo ID?
You
Aqui está o meu passaporte.
Here is my passport.
Shop assistant
Quer fatura com número de contribuinte?
Do you want an invoice with a tax number?
You
Sim, por favor.
Yes, please.
Shop assistant
Mais alguma coisa?
Anything else?
You
Posso manter o meu número de telemóvel?
Can I keep my phone number?
Shop assistant
Aguarde aqui, por favor.
Wait here, please.
You
Quanto tempo demora?
How long does it take?

Which Portuguese phrases do you need?

Quero um contrato de telemóvel.
I want a mobile contract.
Queria um plano com dados ilimitados.
I’d like a plan with unlimited data.
Quantos dados tenho por mês?
How much data do I get each month?
Há alguma taxa para ativar o serviço?
Is there a fee to activate the service?
Tem algum documento de identificação com fotografia?
Do you have photo ID?
Aqui está o meu passaporte.
Here is my passport.
Quer fatura com número de contribuinte?
Do you want an invoice with a tax number?
Posso manter o meu número de telemóvel?
Can I keep my phone number?
Há um período mínimo de fidelização?
Is there a minimum contract period?
Fale devagar, por favor.
Please speak slowly.

What is worth knowing in Portugal?

Buying a SIM

1
Choose a prepaid SIM or a monthly plan.
Quero um contrato de telemóvel.I want a mobile contract.
2
Show your passport or ID card when asked.
Aqui está o meu passaporte.Here is my passport.
3
Give your NIF if the assistant asks for it.
4
Say if you want to keep your old number.
Posso manter o meu número de telemóvel?Can I keep my phone number?

What is a NIF?

A NIF is the Portuguese tax number. Shops usually ask for it on monthly contracts, so it helps to have it with you. If you don’t have one yet, ask what they need.

Fidelização

On a monthly plan, it is worth asking about the minimum period, called fidelização, before you agree.

Há um período mínimo de fidelização?

Is there a minimum contract period?

Questions about this situation

Which Portuguese phrases matter most here?: “Quero um contrato de telemóvel.” (I want a mobile contract); “Queria um plano com dados ilimitados.” (I’d like a plan with unlimited data); “Quantos dados tenho por mês?” (How much data do I get each month). The full list is above.
Can I hear how they sound?: Not yet: this page has no recordings so far. Each phrase comes with its meaning in English.
How can I practise this conversation?: Press “Start the conversation” above to play it through and choose your replies, with a note on why some fit better in Portugal. Frasa, an iPhone app, lets you save these phrases and rehearse them out loud.

Related situations in Portuguese

All situations in Portuguese

Practise these phrases in Frasa

Frasa is an iPhone app for the conversations in front of you. Save phrases like these, rehearse them out loud, and they come back until they stick.

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AI-generated. May be inaccurate.