The History of InstaCase — How a Portuguese Brand of Phone Cases and Accessories Was Born

Reading time: 5 minutes
Updated: May 2026

Some brands are born out of carefully crafted business plans, investors, and market strategies. InstaCase is not one of them. It was born out of an Erasmus experience, a simple idea, and the courage of two young Portuguese men who decided to turn a student adventure into a brand with over 50,000 customers across Europe—with products made in Portugal using sustainable methods.

It all started in Poland

In 2020, Miguel and Patrícia were going through the experience that defines so many Portuguese students—Erasmus. It was during that time that the idea came to them: buy phone cases, resell them, reinvest the profits, and repeat.

It was a simple model. But it worked.

What started as a way to make some extra money abroad gradually revealed something more significant: there was a real market in Portugal for phone cases with unique designs, above-average print quality, and their own visual identity. The generic cases flooding the market lacked personality. There was a need for a Portuguese brand that could do better.

Investing in machinery — when the idea became a business

Back in Portugal, Miguel and Patrícia made a decision that changed everything: instead of continuing to resell the cases, they invested in their own machinery to produce them. That was the moment when InstaCase went from being just an idea to becoming a company.

In-house production meant total control—over the quality of the materials, the precision of the prints, and the designs. It also meant being able to deliver to Portugal within 24 hours, without relying on external suppliers with unpredictable delivery times.

That’s also what made it possible to develop the high-quality printing technology that sets InstaCase covers apart today—vibrant colors, sharper details, and wear resistance that generic cases simply can’t match.

The markets — the turning point

One of the turning points in InstaCase’s history was its entry into brick-and-mortar markets in Lisbon. That’s when things really took off.

Markets offered something that no online store can fully replicate: direct contact with customers. Seeing their reactions, understanding what people were looking for, and getting immediate feedback on designs and quality. Every weekend at the market was like a real-time market research session.

And customers responded. The quality of the cases, the unique designs, and the ability to see and touch the product before buying led to growth that translated into steadily increasing online sales—customers who discovered InstaCase at a market and began ordering online.

Lisbon, Spain, and Europe

The growth didn't stop at Portugal's borders. InstaCase expanded into Spain—with a physical presence in markets and stores—and quickly realized that the European market had the same appetite for high-quality, stylish phone cases as the Portuguese market.

InstaCase currently ships to Portugal, Spain, Germany, Italy, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. Shipping is free on orders of €35 or more for Portugal and Spain, and €50 or more for the rest of Europe.

Manufacturing in Portugal — a commitment to sustainability

In an era when most accessory brands manufacture their products in Asia, InstaCase has taken a different approach: manufacturing in Portugal.

It’s not just a matter of logistics—it’s a matter of values. Manufacturing locally means shorter supply chains, a smaller carbon footprint from transportation, and direct control over production conditions. Every InstaCase cover is manufactured in Portugal, which ensures not only the quality customers expect, but also a more sustainable and responsible business model.

This choice has a real and measurable impact:

• Lower carbon emissions — no containers traveling halfway around the world before the cover reaches the customer
• 24-hour delivery — only possible because our production facilities and warehouse are located in Portugal
• Quality controlled at every stage — no middlemen, no surprises
• Supporting the local economy — every InstaCase purchase keeps money in Portugal

At a time when consumers are increasingly mindful of the environmental impact of their choices, buying an InstaCase cover is also a way to support a brand that manufactures sustainably, just a few miles from home.

From iPhone cases to a complete ecosystem

InstaCase started out making iPhone cases. But customers wanted more—and the brand listened.

Today, the InstaCase catalog goes far beyond just phone cases. You can pair your iPhone or Samsung case with an AirPods case in the same design, a matching magnetic power bank, a Kobo or Kindle case, or an iPad case. It’s a complete ecosystem of accessories with a consistent visual identity—something no Portuguese brand had done before.

Partnerships with Sporting CP and Sport Lisboa e Benfica were another step in this expansion—official collections that combine the passion of Portuguese fans with InstaCase quality. They are the only officially licensed iPhone cases from Portugal’s two biggest clubs.

50,000 customers and a brand that continues to grow

Five years after its launch, InstaCase has more than 50,000 satisfied customers in Portugal and across Europe. Its average review score confirms our commitment to quality. With over 100 exclusive designs available, we regularly update our collection with new patterns.

But what sets InstaCase apart isn’t the numbers—it’s what lies behind them. A brand founded by two young Portuguese entrepreneurs with a simple idea, built on hard work, a commitment to quality, and genuine respect for customers.

There are no foreign investors, and no designs copied from international brands. There is a Portuguese team that manufactures products in Portugal every day, handles orders, answers customer questions in Portuguese, and continues to create designs that people genuinely want to wear—all while operating sustainably and taking pride in their work.

What's next

The InstaCase story is far from over. New designs, new collections, new European markets, and new products are always in the works. Our mission remains the same as it was in 2020: to create accessories with unique designs and genuine quality, delivered quickly, by a brand customers can trust.

If you haven't heard of InstaCase yet, now is the perfect time to get started.

👉 Check out all the InstaCase covers

Article written by the InstaCase Portugal team. Experts in cases and accessories for iPhone, Samsung, AirPods, and Kobo since 2020.