This guide will uncover everything you need to know about Spain SIM cards and how to buy the best Spanish prepaid SIM card plans that will allow you to access the Internet and stay connected in Spain with ease.
In this article
Tourists can buy Spain SIM cards with 04 ways:
Let’s see each option in details:
At Barcelona airport or any international airports in Spain, you can easily find either mobile internet provider kiosks or book shops that sell prepaid SIM cards for Spain.
There, you can choose from different SIM card deals that fit your needs. But, check in advance whether or not the stores open when you land because chances are they are not opened 24/7.
Price: For example, with Orange network operator, it takes €15 to get 9GB of data used in Europe (including Spain) + €5 calling credit for the Orange network. It is always more expensive than buying in the city center.
Pros: Have Internet connection right upon arrival.
Cons: HBigher cost, less plan options to choose, possibly needing to queue to get SIM cards, risk of not being able to buy if the stores do not open.
Getting connected during your Spain trip is so easy these days. Before departing to Spain, you can search for the online SIM provider that offers Spain-only travel SIM or international SIM cards that cover Spain, make a purchase, and wait for it to be delivered to your home address.
Price: affordable but may plus with shipping fee.
Pros: pre-prepare for Internet connection before trip, actively choose plans based on your needs
Cons: need to wait for delivery, risk of delivery delays
You can buy prepaid Spain SIM cards either in official phone stores, convenience stores, official stores of Spain mobile internet carriers or gas stations.
Once you are settled in your hotel, simply go to the Google Map and search for your preferred Spain SIM card providers. In Barcelona, Alicante, Madrid and Malaga, it is easy to find a store near your hotel.
Price: cheaper than buying at airports
Pros: competitive price, more options to choose from
Cons: require travel to the stores
This way just applies if your phone works with eSIM. If so, just simply choose the plan that fits your needs and budget, make a payment, wait no more than 5 minutes to get the QR code sent into your registered email.
Then, you are ready to activate your eSIM. By scanning the QR code, you will have all information about your eSIM plan in your phone. No more waiting for SIM delivery. No travel to stores. No swapping the SIM card. It is as easy as counting 1, 2, 3.
▶ Our recommendations:
Good to know: 1 EUR = 1.0198 USD (as of December 2023)
Spain has 04 major mobile internet providers which are:
Let’s see prepaid plans for tourists of each provider:
Here are the prepaid plans for tourists from Movistar Spain:
Here are Vodafone Spain’s prepaid plans for tourists:
The prepaid plans for tourists of Orange Spain are listed below. Note that all plans cover Spain and EU:
Below we gather Yoigo’s prepaid tourist plans for travelers to Spain:
▶ Our recommendation:
According to the above mentioned information, each mobile internet provider of Spain has different plans for tourists to Spain. Though these providers do not require prepaid customers to sign any contract or provide valid passports while making a purchase, customers still need to visit the store.
To avoid this hassle, you can consider buying eSIM from eSIM providers like Gigago. No contract, no walking to the store, no passport presentation. Just doing all things online, and you get the eSIM Spain within 2-5 minutes.
Good to know: The cost of mobile data in Spain is low.
Yes. You should buy a SIM card for your Spain travel.
In fact, there are many options to having mobile internet in Spain, but getting a SIM card for Spain is one of the easiest ways for travelers.
Let’s dig into other options:
Each way has its own pros and cons. But, SIM cards / eSIM (if your phone supports it) seem to bring overall good performance.
By having a Spain SIM card (it is mentioned to be the local SIM), you can access fast and reliable cellular data, ensuring you can be “online” as scheduled.
Important Note: Ensure that your phone is unlocked so your phone can receive signals of major Spanish mobile operators.
To buy a prepaid SIM card in Spain, you must present your passport for registration, a legal requirement. The store will copy your passport and register the SIM card under your name and passport number, a process taking about 5 minutes. For this reason, it’s recommended to purchase from official retail stores rather than random mobile shops.
If you find this process complicated, consider purchasing an eSIM if your phone supports it. This can save time and streamline the setup. For those traveling to Spain, the process is similar: you’ll need to provide proof of identity (such as a passport) and complete a short registration, which should take only a few minutes.
Tourists to Spain can choose from 02 types of Spain SIM card for their trip:
Here is a table that compare them by criterias:
| Prepaid Physical SIM Cards for Spain | Prepaid Digital SIM Cards (eSIM) for Spain | |
| Features | – Traditional SIM cards that you insert into your phone to access mobile data. – Include 2 types: data-only and data + voice + text | – Digital SIM cards that are embedded into your phone’s motherboard – Include 2 types: data-only and data + voice + text |
| Where to buy | Buy online and wait for delivery or buy in stores of a carrier orauthorized retailer | Buy online from an eSIM provider or mobile network operators |
| Setup and Activation | Plug the SIM into the SIM tray. Then, switch off and on to restart | – Scan the QR code received in email after paying. – Things will be set up within 2 minutes – Activated when connecting to the supported network |
| Cost | Vary depending on the network carriers, the data, and validity. | Vary depending network, data, validity, and often slightly higher in compared with physical SIM |
| Pros | – Can pre-purchase by buying online, at the airport or in the cities. – Be prepared for Internet access before arrival | No need to queue a line or wait for SIM delivery No more swap the SIM card No need to show passport Set up in just 2 minutes Use 2 SIMs at a time (one primary, one eSIM) |
| Cons | Need to go to the stores or wait for SIM delivery Require ID / passport for verification Only use 1 SIM at a time | Require eSIM supported phones |
Based on the table above, it can be said that eSIM has many advantages over physical SIM. But, your phone needs to be equipped with eSIM technology if you want to use it.
▶ Our recommendation:
Choose prepaid data-only eSIM for Spain travel if your phone supports eSIM and you do not need to make any analog calls and texts. Otherwise, choose a physical one.
As we recommended earlier, if you have an eSIM-supported mobile device, there is no reason not to choose eSIM for your trip to Spain.
So which eSIM provider to go for? Though there are many providers out there, each has pros and cons.
When choosing eSIM provider for Spain travel, you are advised to considered the following factors:
After you have answers for all questions above, we suggest eSIM Gigago for your trip.
Here are some benefits you can reap from Gigago Spain eSIM plans:
Gigago offers multiple data plan options for Spain, with prices ranging from $3.00 – $95.90 . Their minimum 1 GB/3 days starts at just $3.00 . With this range of affordable plans, Gigago can accommodate any type of user and trip length in Spain. Whether you only need occasional internet access or plan to stream extensively, Gigago has a Spain eSIM plan to fit your needs and budget. The flexibility of their pricing makes Gigago a great eSIM solution for travel to Spain.
The validity of a tourist SIM card in Spain varies depending on the provider and the plan you select. Typically, these SIM cards are available for the following durations:
Be sure to check the specific details with the provider regarding validity, data limits, and other terms. Many providers also offer options to recharge or extend the validity of the SIM card if you need more time or data during your stay.
Here are the basic steps to use a SIM card as a tourist in Spain:
Pro Tip: Keep proof of your purchase throughout your trip duration to prevent any problems.
Here are basic steps to install and activate an eSIM for your Spain travel:
Pro Tip: make sure your device supports eSIM before buying any plan.
Yes. Most major Spanish airports sell SIM cards from providers like Vodafone, Orange and Yoigo. Activating and loading credit is easy there.
Most phones can accept any SIM, but if your phone is carrier locked, you may need to request your carrier to unlock it before traveling. Check your phone manual.
Go for SIM cards of Orange and Movistar, which have the best coverage in Spain. But, Orange has somehow lower prices
1-2GB of data per week is usually sufficient for basic browsing, maps and social media. Heavy users may need more. Consider data packages suitable to your usage.
Usually just your passport is enough for verification. Some operators may require a visa/residence permit for international visitors.
No, your US SIM card will not work in Spain because it is not compatible with European networks. You need to purchase a local Spanish SIM card.
A SIM card purchased in Spain for use on local mobile networks will typically not work directly in the UK. However, if you turn on roaming, you can use the SIM in the UK.
No, prepaid Spanish SIMs are temporary accounts. However, many offer global roaming if needed in an emergency back home.
You can top up online via the provider’s website/app or purchase physical top-up cards from shops displaying the provider’s logo.
You can choose SIM card of Lycamobile for Spain and Europe.
Movistar is the best option for overall mobile speeds in Spain.
Travel Spain SIM cards provide a convenient and affordable way for tourists to stay connected while visiting Spain. They can be easily purchased at airports and stores for a low upfront cost. This allows travelers to use their own device and a local Spanish number, avoiding high roaming charges from their home provider. Aside from the SIM card, if the phone is compatible with eSIM, using this virtual SIM for Spain is a great alternative to getting Internet access while traveling Spain.
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