THE GUIDE

Spain’s Mobile Networks

New arrivals to Spain will be pleased to know that an excellent mobile network is accessible for expats and visitors alike. Like other European countries, Spain uses the GSM network for mobile communications which makes it easy for most people to connect on arrival. If you’re coming from somewhere that uses the CDMA network, your smartphone might still work in Spain.

Rates and Prices for Mobile Data in Spain

Prices change monthly, so this is really just a guide. In relation to where you’re coming from, you can get a rough idea of the cost of monthly minutes and data prices according to the following ratios comparing against mobile network prices in Spain. You’ll pay about…

• 1/10th the rates you’ll pay in Canada after currency conversion
• ⅓ the price you would pay in the US
• about the same as the prices in the UK

Price per 1GB of data in Spain (2020) was about $1.83.  source: Visual Capitalist –

Let’s have a look at some examples:

Econo plans: The cheapest complete (data + talk), prepaid mobile phone plan in Spain may come from Suop at €3.89 per month, which currently gets you 1GB of data and 100 min. 

Mid-range plans: A fantastic mid-range plan from Orange.es: €12.48 per month for minimum 3 months, offering you 100GBs to use up over a six month period.

Big and Unlimited plans: For bigger data plans you’ll usually pay about 25-60€ per month for plans ranging from about 30GBs to unlimited.

Unlimited plans are only available for contract-based phones. During our research in June 2021, the shortest contract we could find was a 6 month contract on Vodafone for unlimited data.

Tethering: Always ask about tethering (the ability to turn your phone into a wifi hotspot) to make sure it’s supported by the carrier and the plan you’ve subscribed to. Every plan we saw included tethering, but that might not always be the case.

Stay connected with your new SIM

The burning question:  What do I need to do with my mobile phone (cell or cell phone in North America; mobile phone in Europe and Spain) from home to stay connected in Spain without spending a lot of money on roaming fees or worrying about compatibility?

This depends on how long you’re going to be in Spain. Let’s assume you’ll be here 3+ months.

Here is what we recommend if you are coming from Canada or the USA:

1. Make sure your phone is unlocked. Call your service provider and explain that you are going to be traveling for an extended period of time and need to swap SIM cards. If you’re on a payment plan or leasing your phone, there is a possibility they won’t allow it.

2. Get a daily or monthly international plan from your service provider to get you through the first few days or even weeks.

3. Research which Spanish mobile network you want to sign up with so you know which store to go to for a Spanish SIM card (due to Covid-19, airport shops are currently closed). Use Google maps to find a store and remember they’re closed from 3pm-5pm and closed all day on Sundays.

4. If you are coming from the US, download the Google voice app and, once you’re in Spain and have a Spanish SIM, have someone in the US port your number to Google voice using your Google account. This will allow you to use the Spanish SIM, cancel your US phone plan, but keep your US number for calls/texts on the Google voice app. It’s only a $20 USD one time fee but your calls and data will then work off of a Spanish data plan or wifi. Remember, you need to do this once you are in Spain and have your new SIM. If you do this before you leave you won’t have service when you land.

5. Worse case scenario….Wifi (pronounced weefee in Spain) is available at all airports in Spain.

Prepaid vs Mobile Contracts

To get connected in Spain, you have two main options: a prepaid SIM card or mobile phone contract. Prepaid SIMs are typically the easiest way to get yourself a local phone number and data access without committing to anything long-term. This is probably the best option if you’re simply after something that lets you make calls and get online. Many operators also offer pay-as-you-go bundles that provide a certain allowance of calls and data per month which can then be topped up should you go beyond this. Another perk is you pay only for the months you use it. For example, you arrive in Spain and stay for 1 month, leave for 6 months and come back to Spain for 3 months.  You activate your pay-as-you-go SIM card for the period you are in Spain then put it on hold for up to a year depending on your service provider. This can be great if you’re looking for more flexibility.

After 8 years in Spain, we still use pay-as-you-go because for us, it is the cheaper option and no headaches with contracts. We are connected to Wifi 90% of the time and use WhatsApp or other messaging services that also offer video calls. For 2 mobile phones and 3 SIM cards, we spend 28€ per month.

If you’re settling in Spain long term, however, then signing up for a local mobile phone contract might be a good alternative. Typically, phone contracts work out much cheaper than prepaid SIM cards, especially if you spend a lot of time using data. Mobile contracts are also a good choice if you’re thinking about getting the latest smartphone. Generally speaking, contracts are often for 18-month periods, which is something to consider depending on your circumstances.

What to do if you don’t have a NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero)?  A prepaid SIM is the way to go.

Mobile Contracts

Like in Canada, bundling your services (mobile contract with your home phone, internet, and TV connection) usually means you are getting a better deal. Mobile subscription in Spain is no different. Typically, subscriptions cost less for calls, texts, and data usage compared to prepaid SIMs. Contracts include an allowance of call minutes, texts, and mobile data. They might also include other allowances, and the amount you pay will depend on which plan you choose.

Spanish mobile contracts are either SIM-only or include a handset. The contracts normally run for 18-months.  To avoid signing up for a lengthy contract,  look out for deals labeled “sin permanencia“. These might not offer the best rates but they may be the best option for you, depending on your circumstances.

How to get a mobile phone contract in Spain

Signing up for a Spanish mobile phone contract is fairly straightforward. The major networks all have retail outlets in many towns and cities across the country.

Should you decide to do it in person, brush up on your language skills first as most sales assistants don’t speak English. Because of this, many expats prefer to sort it out online. To set up your mobile phone contract, you’ll likely need to provide the following:

• Valid ID (passport, driver’s licence, etc.)
• Proof of address (rental agreement or empadronamiento)
• NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero)
• Spanish bank account details

Monthly payments are made via direct debit and you’ll need to provide payment details when you sign up. If you don’t already have a Spanish bank account, then you might want to set one up before you sign up for a contract. One of the easiest ways to do this is with a mobile bank account, which you can apply for in minutes. Read our guide to opening a bank account in Spain for more information.

How to get a pay-as-you-go SIM card in Spain

Prepaid SIM cards typically offer more freedom than a lengthy Spanish mobile phone contract. They are often only slightly more expensive when it comes to calls, texts, and data usage. That said, they might be a better option if you don’t use your phone much, are connected to your home WiFi, or if you are only staying in Spain for a short period of time. All major Spanish mobile operators offer prepaid SIM cards, so you’ll want to shop around to find the best SIM-only deal for you.

You can buy a Spanish SIM card at a number of places, including the mobile operator’s retail outlets, certain convenience stores, and online. Simply look for the operator signs on the shop window if you are unsure. To sign up for a Spanish SIM card, you’ll need to provide proof of identity (such as a passport) as this is a legal requirement. You’ll also need to complete a short registration process but this should only take a few minutes.

In Spain, prepaid SIM cards usually come with credit already loaded onto them (€5, €10, €15, etc.), which means that you can choose the right amount of credit for your immediate usage. Depending on your service provider, you’ll have plenty of ways to add credit, including online, in-app, at an ATM, in selected stores and outlets, and more. However, bear in mind that this process may require you to have a Spanish bank account. For more information on this, read our guide to opening a bank account in Spain.