Whether you’re coming to Spain to study, work or just to visit, you’re probably wondering how to ensure that you can keep your phone connected during your time away. But which Spanish SIM card is best to choose or do you really need a SIM card for Spain? It’s certainly possible to invest in an international plan from your current provider back home, but you’ll notice very quickly that it can be quite expensive, especially if your are from outside the European Union or if you are staying for several months or even years in Spain.
In this comprehensive article we will go over everything you need to know about setting up a SIM card for Spain. It will answer questions like do you really need a Spanish SIM card? What are the most popular Spanish mobile phone operators? And which SIM Cards in Spain are the best for foreigners? Additionally we will review if you should be looking for a prepaid SIM card (pay as you go SIM card) or a Spanish phone plan with a contract and how to set everything up upon your arrival.
While we review the most popular mobile phone operators in Spain we will give you also our current top recommendations regarding the best prepaid SIM card deals for Spain and phone plans for international students and expats.
If you’re interested in learning all we have to share, simply keep reading through this article. If you have some specific questions you need answered, just take a look at our content overview and select the topics that interest you the most.
If you are an international student or expat moving to Spain and you are here because you are looking for a popular SIM card for your time in Spain that offers great deals to internationals; then jump directly to our chapter called Most Popular Mobile Phone Operators in Spain & Top Recommendations to see the most popular prepaid SIM card deals in Spain as well as recommended phone plans.
Contents Overview
- 1. Things to Keep in Mind Before Choosing a SIM Card for Spain
- 2. Prepaid SIM Card or Contract in Spain – What's Best?
- 3. Most Popular Mobile Phone Operators in Spain for eSIMs and Traditional SIMs
- 4. Other Spanish Mobile Phone Operators Worth Checking Out
- 5. Internet Providers in Spain – Your Options
- 6. Free Traditional SIM Card Reservation Form
- 7. FAQ
Important: The Citylife team has collected & compiled the information on this page via intense research and investigation. It does not replace your own research!
1. Things to Keep in Mind Before Choosing a SIM Card for Spain
In general, getting a SIM card for Spain with one of Spain’s mobile operators is quite easy. You’ll also find that it’s usually more affordable in comparison with other countries. The hardest part is actually selecting the right SIM card and best Spanish mobile phone operator. The first thing to get clear right away, is to determine whether or not you really do need a SIM card for your time in Spain.
1.1 EU Roaming vs Non-EU Roaming
In 2017 the European Union brought an end to roaming charges and introduced EU wide roaming regulations. What this means is that if you are from an EU country and use a SIM card from there, you will be able to travel within the EU without any disruption to your contracted services and you will not need to pay any additional fees to stay connected.
There are some exceptions to the EU wide roaming rules of course, specifically when it comes to long-term travel and large consumption of data. So if you currently posses a European SIM card and you’re planning to move to Spain for a longer period of time, you will most likely still benefit from getting a SIM card for Spain. But for those who will be visiting Spain for only a few days or weeks, you will probably find that you do not need to get a SIM card for Spain.
All that said, we do recommend that you speak directly with your current mobile service provider and ask them to explain their rules about EU roaming. This way you can make a fully informed decision before you head to Spain.
If you’re looking for a completely digital, hassle free solution we recommend looking into eSIMs! Connectivity Mobile offers quick, easy to set-up eSIMs for Spain that will get you connected immediately.
If you are from outside the European Union, then you do need to take extra care when planning your trip in regards to your cell phone service and data plans. If you travel to Spain and simply continue using your original SIM card as if you were at home, you will be charged extremely heavy roaming fees. Most providers offer international plans of some kind, but once again this can get quite expensive if your stay in Spain lasts longer than a few days.
Overall, the best and cheapest option for you would be to set up a SIM Card for Spain. Prepaid SIM cards are incredibly easy to get and very cost effective as well. The only thing you need to keep in mind is that your phone must be unlocked to use a foreign SIM card. We’ll cover more on what that means and how to do it below.
1.2 Using your Current Phone vs Getting a New Phone
There is nothing wrong with using your current phone when abroad – but it’s important to keep in mind that in order to use a SIM card from Spain in your current phone, you will have to make sure it’s unlocked.
When a phone is locked it means that the phone has been programmed to only work for a SIM card provided by a certain company. This is a very common practice especially for cell phones that come from North, Central and South America. If you get to Spain and your phone is still locked, you will not be able to insert a SIM card from Spain and you will need to call the provider from which you bought the phone and request them to unlock it or visit a shop in Spain to unlock your phone. This process can be a simple and easy, but it could also require a few extra steps or even will not be possible, so it’s always easier to get this topic sorted out before you leave your home country. If you are moving to Spain for a few months only, you could also get an already unlocked, secondhand phone once in Spain. You can then use it with your new Spanish SIM card during your time abroad.
If you’re looking to buy a secondhand phone in Spain, or you’re unable to unlock your phone via your original provider, take a moment to check out CEX WeBuy. They are a great second hand shop with locations all over Spain’s major cities.
2. Prepaid SIM Card or Contract in Spain – What’s Best?
Once you’ve decided that you need to get a SIM card for Spain, you’ll need to decide what kind of service you’re looking for. The two options you have available to you are a mobile contract with fixed monthly payments for a minimum duration of time (usually 12 months), or a prepaid SIM with a pay as you go approach. Remember, for either of these options to work, you’ll need to ensure that your phone is unlocked!
2.1 Contracts (cell phone plans)
Contracts offer a lot of flexibility in terms of services. They usually provide some sort of “unlimited data” options and certain bundles that include various other services offered by the provider. The payment system is usually automated so you essentially will not need to think about it after you sign up.
The most important thing to note is that contracts are for long-term use. Most providers offer contracts for a minimum of 12 months which means that you will be stuck with the service and unable to cancel without paying penalty fees. Some few providers will have contracts without a minimum duration which are called “contratos sin permanencia” in Spanish. You should inquire about this option when checking out the different providers.
Contracts are a great option for expats or international students who know they will be moving to Spain for at least a year. Unfortunately Spain is infamous for the time and the painful paperwork it takes to set up a phone line, but once it’s done you typically don’t have to think much about it again.
Some important things to keep in mind when signing up for a cell phone plan contract, besides the paperwork, are that you will need to have both a Spanish bank account established and a NIE/TIE (foreigner’s ID card) to even be eligible for the contract. These requirements immediately make these contracts less attractive for internationals who are staying in Spain for less than a year. However, as we mentioned above, the hassle is worth it if you’re planning on moving to Spain for a long-term period.
When it comes to choosing and signing up for a contract with one of the many mobile service operators in Spain, we recommend visiting their shops upon your arrival. To check out our recommendations, skip ahead to our chapter called “Most Popular Mobile Phone Operators in Spain & Top Recommendations“.
2.2 Prepaid SIM Cards (pay as you go)
By far, prepaid SIM cards are the most common and widely preferred option for young internationals and expats in Spain. Especially for those moving to Spain for a period of 12 months or less. They are quick and easy to set up, require almost no paperwork, are more affordable and much more flexible than contract plans. All these benefits make them the perfect option for international students and expats.
Prepaid SIM cards can be used on a pay as you go basis where you simply top up your SIM with some money and use your phone until the money runs out. Or they can be used by activating data and call packages that run for 28 day periods without any kind of contract – the later is the most popular and cost effective way to use them. After each 28 day period you can either activate the same plan again or try a new one – there is very little commitment involved. Once you’re done with the prepaid SIM card, you can simply throw it away and the mobile service provider will “recycle” the phone number within a few months of not using it.
Registering and activating a prepaid SIM card in Spain is a rather simple process as well. You’ll only need your passport or national ID and the registration takes only a matter of minutes. You can either sign up for a Spanish prepaid SIM card online, at various major Spanish mobile phone operator locations, or even at kiosks in the airport (not recommended as you usually will need to buy the SIM card there at very high prices). However, the easiest option is to visit any shop here in Spain known as a “Locutorio” (“Internet shops”) and they will do it all for you. Just keep in mind that many of these locations listed will usually charge a service fee in addition to the money you spend on the 30 day plan.
If you are moving to Madrid, then visit the Citylife office for further free advice and to get a free Spanish prepaid SIM card with our top recommended prepaid SIM card providers Lycamobile and Connectivity!
We will explain how it all works and help you choose and activate a plan as well! Learn more about Lycamobile and Connectivity Mobile and all the great deals they both have to offer to internationals moving to Spain so you can pick your plan right upon your arrival in Madrid!
