campos

Many relocation and residency advice threads recommend getting a PAYG SIM card.
As I'll be using my apartment's wifi and my Italian 4GB overseas allowance outside, I just need an old skool PAYG number for PT calls and sms.
I have noticed companies' have reduced or eliminated the availability of such PAYGs in recent years. I still have such a Vodafone PAYG on my UK number, from around 15 years ago. As long as I send an sms every 3 months, it stays active. I don't think one can still buy such in Italy, for example.

So I have been checking out the various offers in PT. MEO, Vodafone, NOS, then the second tier players such as Lyca, Uzo, NOWO. (any others...?)
The 3 main players offer nothing like a simple non-monthly top up PAYG as far as I can see.
NOS offers a fairly cheap deal at €3.99pm but it includes data (250mb!) which I don't need. And it's monthly top up.
I found this - https://www.uzo.pt/pt/loja/cartoes/c...uzo/pagina.uzo, which seems OK. Am I mis-reading the offer or is it in fact a simple, non-monthly payment PAYG? It does say lowcost internet but this would be incidental to me.
All advice and recommendations welcome.
cheers

Loafing Along

You have read their offer correctly but they do get some terrible reviews on several websites. Would be happier with Lyca .

campos

Thanks. If Lyca have a similar offer, I'll consider it.

campos

This Lyca deal seems OK.
https://www.lycamobile.pt/por/rates/#/national
Though in the T&C, point 3, it says that any credit expires 90 days after top up or recharge. I suppose I could use €5 worth in 3 months...

ricko

Last year I bought a 5 euro sim from Uzo, but was cut off after using less than 2 euros.

Ajmandon

I use UZO payg sims for both a domestic fixed alarm system and gsm gate opener ..... both are programmed to send an sms message once per month to keep the number active ... cost is pennies. Cannot comment on coverage or voice costs. For my mobile I have a Vodafone payg. Coverage good, one or two euro a month fixed charge, don't know the call charges of the top of my head, not a heavy user but used regularly, doubt I top it up more than 75 euro a year.

suiko

I got a PAYG with NOS a couple of months ago. I paid €10 credit, and there is a charge of €1.50 every two months for maintaining the number. Is this not what you're looking for?

BillBullock

I have had a PAYG SIM card from NOS for 4 or 5 years on the Livres Base deal. There is no maintenance charge, just 10c a minute for calls and 10c for texts.

suiko

Wondering if that deal still exists for new customers? I certainly wasn't offered it.

campos

That looks OK No fees or mandatory uploads. I didn't see before as the guy in the Lisbon shop handed me their leaflet with the tariffs and packages but on the site I see it says that it's not available in shops.
Edit- In the tariff details it mentions a €1.50 number maintenance fee, every 2 months
Looks like this has been introduced since Bill signed up 5 years ago.

campos

It looks like a slightly better deal than the Lyca if it's a dormant number most of the time.

BillBullock

Look it up online at nos.pt. It looks like it is only available to purchase online nowadays.

suiko

But it seems that if there's a €1.50 charge, it's the same deal I have!

campos

It would seem to be the same. Looking like one of the better deals out there.

campos

I'm trying to buy online the NOS Livres Base deal. Seems impossible to select it to add to basket, it just offers the tariff info. I must be missing something..
https://www.nos.pt/particulares/tele...s.aspx?menuTLM
Also when one goes to the SIM card link in the Equipment menu, and selects the Livres Dia eSIM and Livres Dia deals, the links for the technical info doesn't work for me.
https://www.nos.pt/particulares/loja...s.aspx?p=30896
Any suggestions or links welcome to buy Livres Base deal.