How do you get a mobile phone plan in Uruguay in 2026?

Antel (the state telecom), Movistar, and Claro dominate consumer SIMs. Airport kiosks at Carrasco and city stores in Pocitos or Ciudad Vieja sell prepaid chips against a passport. Ask for a starter data pack large enough for maps, translation, and WhatsApp before you ride into town. eSIM options appear in carrier apps and travel eSIM brands; confirm the handset is unlocked and supports local bands.

Keep the packaging and activation SMS. You will reuse the same number for bank apps and mutualista call-backs. Coverage is strong in Montevideo and Punta del Este cores, then thinner on some Rocha coast stretches: Utilities, internet, and transport.

Postpaid and multi-line family plans usually want stronger ID: cédula progress and a domicilio pack matching your lease: Get a cédula and How to rent a home. Banks that send OTPs expect the number to stay stable, so avoid swapping SIMs every week once bank account setup starts.

Top up with official carrier apps or authorised kiosks. Screenshot payment confirmations when peso amounts move. If Migraciones or DNIC appointments SMS your phone, treat that number as part of the residence file: Apply for a residence permit. ANTEL fibre at home is a separate product from mobile data: Utilities, internet, and transport.