Keep your US number in Portugal.
Are you still paying AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile for your US number? If so, you're wasting money.
I have created a PDF guide with detailed instructions on how to set this up on your own. Or, if you're not comfortable doing it yourself, I offer a guided setup session.
How much are you overpaying?
After you move to Portugal, your US phone plan has a much smaller job to do — but you're still paying the same rate. You don't need data, just calls and texts, so why pay for what you don't use?
| Provider | Per month | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| T-Mobile | from$60 | Unlimited talk, text, and data (50GB, then slower) |
| AT&T | from$70 | Unlimited talk, text, and data; 10GB hotspot per line |
| Verizon | from$80 | Unlimited talk, text, and data |
| Tello | $10 | 300 minutes and unlimited text, no data ($5 per line) |
Prices are for two lines with autopay, before taxes and fees. The major carriers' figures are the lowest a couple aged 55+ can typically get; standard plans cost more. Tello covers your calls and texts, including the SMS codes from your bank, while a Portuguese SIM in the second slot handles data.
How it works
Make sure you have the right phone
You need a phone that supports dual-SIM functionality, with support for at least one eSIM. Your phone also must support Wi-Fi calling, be paid off, and not carrier-locked. This means all iPhones from the XS (2018) onward qualify, as do many recent "flagship" Android phones, such as the Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy S series.
Set up Tello and test to ensure it works
After you create an account, Tello will assign you a temporary number to test the service. Make sure your new Tello eSIM works correctly before porting your US number.
Add a Portuguese provider
Your local SIM handles everyday data and calling in Portugal. Your US number stays active alongside it, quietly receiving texts and calls from US contacts without any extra effort from you.
Why this matters more than you think
That number is threaded through more of your life than it appears. Losing it doesn't just mean missing calls — it can lock you out of accounts you can't afford to lose access to.
- Banking US banks routinely send verification codes and fraud alerts by text. Some require a US number to reset a password or authorize a wire. Losing the number can lock you out of your accounts — from abroad, with no easy way back in.
- Government logins The IRS, Social Security, Medicare, and dozens of federal and state portals use SMS verification. If your number goes away, getting back in can mean weeks of paperwork and international phone calls.
- Two-factor authentication Apps, financial accounts, and work logins tied to your US number keep working when you keep the number. Changing it means auditing every 2FA you have ever set up — and you probably have more than you remember.
- Calls from US contacts Your doctor's office, your family, your accountant — they all have your old number. Keeping it means staying reachable without asking everyone you know to update their contacts.
Packages
Both packages include the same 60-minute screen-shared call. The difference is what happens after, if you run into trouble, or need additional support.
- 60-minute screen-shared call
- Full walkthrough of porting your number to Tello
- Dual-SIM configuration for your specific phone
- Advice for setting up your Portuguese phone provider
- Everything in Guided setup
- Follow-up support window after the call
- Number ports can get stuck — this covers you if yours does
Free porting guide
Prefer to work through it yourself? The guide covers every step: initiating the port, confirming your phone supports dual-SIM, configuring both SIMs, and picking a Portuguese provider.
It's written for someone who has never done this before. No email required — just a direct download.
Download the free guide (PDF)Common questions
- What does keeping the US number actually cost?
- Tello's basic plan runs $5/month — enough to keep your number alive and receive calls and texts. You add a Portuguese provider on top for local data and calling. The consultation is a one-time cost to get the setup right from the start.
- How long does the port take?
- Most ports complete in 15–20 minutes. Occasionally one takes a day or two — that's the exception, not the rule. The delays that do happen are usually caused by a mismatched account PIN, a name mismatch, or a carrier hold — all preventable with the right preparation, which is exactly what the PDF or call covers.
- What can go wrong?
- Number ports can get stuck at the carrier level, usually because of a mismatch between what you submitted and what's on file with your current carrier. The safety-net package includes follow-up help to work through these issues if they come up after the call.
- Do I need a special phone?
- Yes, you need a phone that supports dual-SIM functionality, with support for at least one eSIM. Your phone also must support Wi-Fi calling, be paid off, and not carrier-locked. This means all iPhones from the XS (2018) onward qualify, as do many recent "flagship" Android phones, such as the Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy S series. If you have an older model, or a budget Android phone, it may not support the necessary features. If needed, I can help you check compatibility and suggest alternatives.