Spain is a popular tourist destination that attracts millions of visitors every year. Having a reliable mobile internet connection while traveling in Spain is important for using maps, translations, social media, and more. This article will provide an overview of mobile internet in Spain and connectivity options available for tourists.
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If you live in or travel around Spain a lot, you’ve probably noticed that getting a decent cellular connection is rarely an issue – even out in more remote parts of the country. But how do the major mobile operators here really stack up in terms of coverage? Let’s take a closer look based on the latest data.
The latest data shows connectivity is superb across Spain’s 3G and 4G networks. All major carriers like Movistar, Orange, Vodafone and Yoigo reported over 98% availability. That means at least 98% of the time, your phone will be hooked up to a cellular data signal. Pretty awesome coverage no matter where you are in the country!
5G networks are still a work in progress, but making good progress. Orange is leading the pack with about 17% of the time that 5G users saw a 5G connection on their phone. That’s pretty close to 1 out of every 5 times! Movistar wasn’t far behind at around 16%. Coverage will just keep expanding too.
So whether you’re bouncing between big cities or soaking in small towns, connectivity crushes it in Spain now. And 5G will soon be a reliable option nearly everywhere.
4G mobile internet speeds in Spain are generally very good and fast enough for most daily usage.
Average download speeds are around 60Mbps, with peak speeds up to 300Mbps on some networks. This is fast enough for HD video streaming, video conferencing, social media, web browsing etc.
5G speeds are even faster when within coverage areas, averaging around 200-500Mbps down. However, real-world speeds can be affected by congestion, location, device capabilities etc.
For tourists using roaming data, speeds may be throttled to around 256kbps or slower depending on package.
There are a few options for getting mobile internet access while visiting Spain: Spain sim cards, eSIM, Spain roaming, Public WiFi, Pocket WiFi in Spain.
| Connectivity Option | How it Works | Cost | Where to Buy | Convenience | Pros | Cons |
| SIM Card (Spain) | Purchase a Spanish SIM card and insert it into your phone. You’ll get a local phone number and data. | Around €10-30 for data package. Calls and texts additional cost. | Major carriers like Vodafone, Orange, Movistar. Available at airports, stores. | Easy to set up and use. No need to change settings on phone. | Local number, fast data speeds. Cheap calls/texts in country. | Need to purchase separate from home, insert SIM into phone. |
| eSIM (Spain) | Download an eSIM profile online which activates a local Spanish eSIM on your device without inserting a physical SIM. | Same as physical SIM card. | Online from carriers or travel sites before arriving. | Convenient activation online before trip. No physical SIM handling. | Same benefits as physical SIM without swapping SIM cards. | Limited device compatibility. Carrier support may vary by country. |
| Roaming with Home Carrier | Use your home cellular plan abroad in Spain by turning on international roaming on your device. | Additional daily fees apply, usually $5-10 per day. Calls/texts also more expensive. | N/A – uses existing home cellular account. | Convenient if you prefer keeping your same number. | Don’t need new SIM or plan. Keep your home number. | Very expensive compared to local SIM. Fees add up quickly. |
| Public WiFi | Free WiFi is available at many hotels, airports, cafes and public spaces in Spain. | Free to use. | No purchase required. | Convenient to hop onto free networks when available. | No additional cost beyond device connection. No data fees. | Availability and speeds vary. Security and overload risks. |
| Pocket WiFi | Rent a portable WiFi hotspot device to connect multiple devices to internet data package. | Around €5-10 per day rental. Data packages additional cost around €30-50 for period of rental. | Electronics stores, travel agencies, rental locations at airports. | One device connects all your devices. No changing SIMs. | Share connection between devices easily. Coverage of hotspot anywhere you go. | Extra cost compared to SIM. Need to remember to charge device. |
Please note: Internet rates in Spain can vary significantly depending on your location, provider, contract duration, bundled services, and promotional offers. The table below provides a general comparison based on publicly available information and may not be entirely accurate or exhaustive. It's always best to check directly with providers for the latest offers and deals specific to your area.
| Option | Cost (EUR) | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Local Spain SIM Card (15GB) | ~€15-25 | $16-27 |
| International eSIM (15GB) | ~€70-90 | $76-98 |
| Roaming – Vodafone (2GB) | ~€6 per day | $6.50 per day |
| Roaming – Orange (5GB) | ~€15 for 7 days | $16.25 for 7 days |
| Roaming – Movistar (1GB) | ~€3 per day | $3.25 per day |
| Public WiFi | Free, but unreliable | Free, but unreliable |
| Pocket WiFi Rental | ~€6-10 per day | $6.50-11 per day |
Prices listed in USD are estimates based on current exchange rates, which may vary. USD 1 is approximately equal to EUR 0.95. Actual prices in EUR may be different from converted USD prices.
As you can see, getting a local Spain SIM card or eSIM usually provides the most data allowance for the cost. Roaming packages are very expensive in comparison.
Getting a local Spanish SIM card is one good option for solid mobile internet while visiting Spain:
So in summary, a local Spain SIM card allows you to access fast, affordable mobile data almost anywhere in the country. Be sure to compare plans across providers to find the best deal.
Using an eSIM is one of the most convenient ways for travelers to get temporary access to mobile internet in Spain. Here’s an overview:
An eSIM is an embedded digital SIM profile that allows you to activate a cellular plan remotely, without needing to insert a physical SIM card.
You have two options:
For Spain, Gigago offers multiple data plan options, starting from 1 GB for 3 days with $3.00 . What is great about Gigago’s Spain eSIM is that its plans’ costs are diversifying, varying between $3.00 – $95.90 . Thus, it does not matter how Internet users you are and how long your trip is in Spain, there is always an option for you with Gigago.
Yes, but only if you have international roaming activated. Otherwise you will not get service in Spain. Roaming charges are usually very expensive unless you have a travel data package.
Sometimes, but not always. Public WiFi hotspots in Spain can be prone to slow speeds or instability. For important tasks, use a proper mobile data connection instead.
As a tourist, a prepaid SIM card or eSIM is recommended. This avoids long contracts, credit checks and bills. Just top up as needed.
Unfortunately not. SIM cards and eSIMs are locked to Spain only. You’ll need a separate plan in each country you visit across Europe.
For light use like maps and messaging, 3-5GB per week is usually sufficient. For heavier use like video streaming, plan at least 10-15GB per week.
In summary, traveling with reliable mobile internet in Spain is easy with the variety of options now available:
Check coverage maps before you go, and monitor your data usage to avoid bill shock. With the right mobile plan, you can stay conveniently connected throughout your Spain travels.
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