Stay Connected in Spain
Navigate, share, and stay in touch with our comprehensive eSIM guide for Spain.
1Introduction to Spain as a Travel Destination
Heading to España and need to stay connected? This guide explains how to get internet in Spain for tourists and visitors, covering everything from eSIM data plans to local SIM cards. Spain is a very connected country, with excellent mobile networks across the mainland and islands, so travelers have plenty of options for calls and data. Like Italy, Spain is in the EU, which benefits European travelers who can roam on their domestic plans at no extra cost. However, many visitors (especially from outside Europe) prefer grabbing a prepaid SIM or an eSIM for Spain to avoid steep roaming charges and get local rates.
2Mobile and Internet Infrastructure
Spain has a well-developed mobile network, ranked among the top in Europe for coverage and speed. The big four operators are Movistar (Telefónica), Vodafone España, Orange España, and Yoigo (part of the MásMóvil group). Between them, they cover virtually the entire country's population with 4G LTE signals, and have rapidly expanding 5G in major cities.
Movistar is known to have the best overall coverage nationwide, with Vodafone and Orange close behind. This means whether you're in cosmopolitan Barcelona or Madrid, or visiting smaller cities like Sevilla, Valencia, or Bilbao, you can expect strong network service. Even many rural areas and highways are covered – Movistar's network especially excels in reaching deep into countryside and mountains. On Spain's resort islands – the Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Ibiza, Menorca) in the Mediterranean and the Canary Islands (like Tenerife, Gran Canaria) in the Atlantic – coverage is also very good. These islands are part of Spain's territory, so the same Spanish carriers operate there normally.
Network Providers Overview
| Provider | Coverage | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Movistar (Telefónica) | Excellent nationwide coverage (urban and rural), 5G in major cities | Best overall coverage in Spain, especially in rural areas |
| Vodafone España | Strong nationwide coverage with extensive 4G and 5G in urban areas | Good option for high-speed data in cities |
| Orange España | Good urban and rural coverage, expanding 5G network | Popular for tourist SIMs with competitive packages |
| Yoigo (MásMóvil) | Good coverage in urban areas, relies on agreements in some rural zones | Usually the most budget-friendly of the major carriers |
3Guide to Getting Mobile Internet
Local SIM vs eSIM
Travelers in Spain face a similar choice as in other countries: convenience vs value. International eSIMs offer convenience – you can set them up in minutes online – while local Spanish SIM cards might offer more data for your money but take a little effort to obtain. An eSIM for Spain can be purchased from abroad and activated as soon as you arrive. The big advantage is you skip the store visit entirely. This is incredibly handy if you need internet right away at the airport (for example, to call a rideshare or pull up your hotel address). ESIMs are usually data-only (no Spanish phone number is provided), so you won't be able to make regular cellular calls or SMS. However, you can absolutely use WhatsApp, Telegram, or other OTT apps to call/text, which often suffices.
Where to Buy
Spain's major operators (Movistar, Orange, Vodafone, and Yoigo) all offer prepaid tarjeta SIM prepago plans that tourists and residents alike can use. Buying a local SIM means you'll get a Spanish phone number and a bundle of data, texts, and calls. You must purchase the SIM in person (by law, SIMs must be registered with your passport or ID in Spain). You can find carrier stores in city centers, malls, or sometimes at airports. There's often an option like Orange's "Holiday SIM" or Vodafone's tourist pack, which might include a generous data allowance and some international calling minutes. For example, Orange has had a Holiday plan that provides 70 GB data plus unlimited calls/text in Europe for around €50, and Movistar and Vodafone have competitive monthly bundles (often €15–€20 for dozens of gigabytes).
4Major Mobile Providers and Plans
Airalo
Airalo's offerings for Spain are among the most budget-friendly. Through Airalo's app or website, you can find Spain-specific eSIM plans with various data amounts and validity periods. They even have an Unlimited plan for Spain, though "unlimited" comes with a throttle after using 3 GB per day (speeds reduce to 1 Mbps for the rest of the day). Airalo's Spain eSIM typically connects to either Orange or Movistar for service in Spain, since those carriers provide extensive coverage.
| Plan | Data | Validity | Price | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spain 1GB | 1 GB | 7 days | ~$5 USD |
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| Spain 3GB | 3 GB | 30 days | ~$8.50 USD |
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| Spain 10GB | 10 GB | 30 days | ~$18 USD |
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Nomad
Nomad's eSIM plans for Spain offer good flexibility and pricing similar to Airalo's. Nomad tends to be very transparent with cost per GB and often has promotions that bring the price down. If you need a mid-range amount of data, Nomad is an excellent choice. They also provide an "Unlimited" daily cap plan in Spain, which typically gives 1 GB of high-speed data per day (then slows down) and you can buy it for a set number of days. This kind of plan is useful if you know you'll have consistent usage each day.
| Plan | Data | Validity | Price | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spain 5GB | 5 GB | 30 days | ~$15 USD |
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| Spain 10GB | 10 GB | 30 days | ~$22 USD |
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| Spain Unlimited | 1 GB/day high-speed | 7 days | ~$10 USD |
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Holafly
Holafly is a bit of a premium option, offering unlimited data eSIMs for Spain that cater to travelers who don't want to worry about quotas. Holafly's Spain eSIM works on a customizable duration model: you pick how many days you need and pay a flat rate for unlimited 4G data each day. It's more expensive up front, but remember it's all-you-can-use data. One great aspect of Holafly is that it connects to multiple networks: specifically, it uses Vodafone, Orange, Movistar, and Yoigo in Spain. This means your phone will automatically switch to whichever of those carriers has the strongest signal wherever you are.
| Plan | Data | Validity | Price | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unlimited 5 Days | Unlimited | 5 days | ~$27 USD |
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| Unlimited 10 Days | Unlimited | 10 days | ~$47 USD |
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| Unlimited 20 Days | Unlimited | 20 days | ~$69 USD |
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Orange Holiday Europe
Orange's Holiday Europe SIM/eSIM offers a generous data package that works across Europe, including Spain. This is a great option for multi-country trips, as the same plan works seamlessly across all EU countries. It provides both data and a European phone number (usually French), allowing you to make and receive calls and SMS. The plan is available as both a physical SIM and an eSIM, giving you flexibility based on your device capabilities.
| Plan | Data | Validity | Price | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orange Holiday Europe | 70 GB | 30 days | ~€50 |
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Local Carrier Plans
Spain's major mobile operators offer prepaid plans specifically designed for tourists. These provide excellent value, especially for longer stays or heavy data usage. You'll need to visit a carrier store or authorized retailer with your passport to purchase and register a SIM card. Movistar, Vodafone, and Orange all have stores in major cities and tourist areas, including some airports.
| Plan | Data | Validity | Price | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vodafone Tourist SIM | 25-40 GB | 30 days | ~€15-20 |
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| Movistar Prepaid | 40-60 GB | 30 days | ~€15-20 |
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5Device Compatibility and Activation
Before purchasing any SIM or eSIM, ensure your device is compatible. If bringing a phone from outside Europe, it must be GSM/LTE capable and network-unlocked (most modern smartphones are). For eSIMs, confirm that your phone supports eSIM functionality – generally iPhone XR/XS or newer (including all iPhone 11/12/13/14/15 models) support eSIM, as do many Google Pixels (3 and later) and recent Samsung Galaxy S and Note series. Activating a SIM/eSIM is straightforward. For a physical SIM, insert it and your phone should pick up the network (you may need to enter a PIN from the SIM packaging). For an eSIM, you will typically scan a QR code provided by the seller or install via the provider's app. Note that SIM Registration in Spain is mandatory, so you'll need to register with your ID/passport either at the point of sale or shortly after activation.
6Tips and FAQs for Staying Connected
Will my eSIM or SIM from Spain work in other European countries?
Yes. Thanks to EU roaming regulations, any plan from an EU country (Spain is in the EU) can be used in other EU nations (plus EEA countries) without extra fees. For instance, a Spanish SIM with data can be used in France, Italy, Germany, etc., from the same data allowance. If you buy an eSIM for Spain from an international provider, many offer a Europe or "regional" version that covers multiple countries. For example, Orange Holiday works across all of Europe, and Holafly has a Europe-wide unlimited plan at the same price as their Spain-only plan.
How can I use offline maps or minimize data usage while traveling?
Spain has abundant Wi-Fi: hotels, cafes, restaurants, and even many public spaces offer free internet. Use Wi-Fi whenever you can, especially for data-heavy tasks like uploading photos or streaming video. Before your trip (or when you have Wi-Fi), download maps of Spain (or specific cities/regions) on Google Maps – the Offline Maps feature lets you save areas so you can navigate without using data. Apps like Maps.me or Here WeGo are also great for offline navigation. This helps in rural areas with weak signal and saves your data for other uses.
Will my eSIM or SIM work in the Canary Islands and Balearic Islands?
Yes. The Canary Islands (including Tenerife, Gran Canaria) and Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Ibiza, Menorca) are part of Spain for coverage purposes, so any Spain plan will work normally there with no roaming fees. You can enjoy your data on the beach in Mallorca or in the mountains of Gran Canaria just as you would on the mainland. All major Spanish carriers operate on these islands, so coverage is generally excellent in populated areas.
Can I use a dual SIM phone to keep my home SIM active while in Spain?
Absolutely! If your phone supports dual SIM or eSIM, you can use two SIMs simultaneously: for example, put a Spanish SIM/eSIM for data and local calls, and keep your home SIM in the secondary slot for any important texts or calls you might receive. This way, you retain your regular number (for services like banking OTP texts or family reaching you) but use the inexpensive local data on the other SIM. Just remember to turn off data roaming on your home SIM to avoid accidental charges.
What is the emergency number in Spain, and can I call without a SIM?
The universal European emergency number is 112. In Spain, you can dial 112 for free from any phone to reach emergency services (police, fire, medical). This works even without a SIM card or with a locked phone, as long as you have some signal from any network. The call is free, and the operator can usually speak English. This universal access to emergency services provides peace of mind when traveling.
Conclusion
Spain offers travelers excellent connectivity options with its robust mobile infrastructure spanning from bustling cities to serene beaches and islands. Whether you choose the convenience of an international eSIM from providers like Airalo, Holafly, or Nomad, or opt for a value-packed local SIM from Spanish carriers, you'll enjoy reliable high-speed internet throughout your journey. The country's extensive 4G coverage and growing 5G network ensure you can share your experiences, navigate with confidence, and stay connected with loved ones as you explore Spain's rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and vibrant culinary scene. ¡Buen viaje y buena conexión!