When we arrive at Faro my mobile phone automatically connects to TMN or Optimus networks by arrangemnt with Orange (now called EE).
My main usage is texting or phoning back home. My only mobile to mobile usage within Portugal is generally when one of our holiday acquaintances texts or phones me and I reply. It occurred to me recently that despite the number of times we have visited the Algarve, I have never had cause to phone someone with a Portuguese mobile number whilst actually in Portugal. I know they begin with a number 9 and are nine digits long. Is this all I have to dial if I am connected to TMN or Optimus, or do I still need to include the 00351 prefix? I have to ring our apartment owner when we arrive to arrange key collection. He has given me the full number complete with the 00351 prefix. I have put both options in my phone contacts list so I suppose I could use the trial and error process, but I'm sure someone on the forum will be able to give me chapter and verse!

the number my friend gave me has 00351 in front so I alway's use that when we ring them

A little trick when dialling or storing numbers in your mobile:

ALWAYS include the prefix +countrycode (NB, use the plus sign, not 00)
e.g
for UK numbers store +44 then the phone number without the leading zero
for PT numbers store +351 and the same.

Then, even if you are in the UK, dialling +44 208 xxxx will continue to work whether you are in the UK, the USA, or Zambia or Portugal
or if you are in Portugal dialling +44 208 xxxx will also work.

And, of course the same is true for +351 so that when you call a Portuguese number it does not matter where you are, it will connect correctly.

Sorry for the rambling explanation....

As Sue said, you will still need to use 00351 or +351 in front of the number, as you are still routed through your UK provider.

Obviously it depends on your phone usage but for us the cheapest option was to buy a basic PT payg phone.
Using your UK phone even with some of the packages available now will still cost you expensive
roaming charges.

I have just swithed to Vodaphone red and for £3/day I can make as many calls when abroad at my normal agreement rate ,
We will have to see ??

cumbria sue wrote:the number my friend gave me has 00351 in front so I alway's use that when we ring them

Do you mean when you ring them whilst you are in Portugal Sue?

R.Wethereyet wrote:As Sue said, you will still need to use 00351 or +351 in front of the number, as you are still routed through your UK provider.

So even if I am connecting via TMN inside Portugal, I am routed via my provider back in the UK?
I thought the call and any charges were logged back to the UK after TMN had provided the initial service. You learn something new every day!

As above I always store all numbers including the country code regardless. The network will drop what it doesn't need but cannot guess if something is missing.

If you are roaming then you do need the +351.

TomUK wrote:

cumbria sue wrote:the number my friend gave me has 00351 in front so I alway's use that when we ring them

Do you mean when you ring them whilst you are in Portugal Sue?

yes, I have the number on my mb and use it either here (uk) or in cvo

I am not sure that those who use their Ipads, androids etc are aware that when they connect to the internet they will be paying roaming charges as their agreement is with their UK provider.
It could turn out to be an expensive holiday extra !!.
If you have a UK phone you need to use 00351 when in Portugal.

Thanks everyone for all the advice. I shall use the full number with 00351 included as suggested.