Are you planning to visit Spain? Exploring the best way to stay connected while travel in Spain – using a Spain SIM card in this blog!

Choosing the best Spain SIM card for your travel

I. Should I buy a SIM card in Spain for my trip?

Buying a Spain SIM card for Spain traveling is a good idea if you want to stay connected and avoid high roaming fees. Using a Spain SIM card is cheaper than using your home plan, gives you a local number for calls and texts, and can be easily bought at airports or phone stores. In this guide, you will know the best way to get a Spain SIM card.

Best time to visit to Spain

II. Buying a Spain SIM – Things to consider

1. Data budgeting for a Spain SIM card

To help Spain visitors choose the most suited SIM card for their Spain journey, here are our recommendations:

  • For short trips (under 1 week): 3-5GB is enough for daily basic tasks: mapping, translating, and light browsing. 
  • For longer trips (over 14 days): consider a larger data plan, 5-10GB is perfect for heavy tasks: streaming videos, music, or working. 

2. Speed and coverage

  • Network Providers: In Spain, there are many reliable providers like Vodafone, Movistar, Orange, and Yoigo offering reliable 4G/LTE coverage across the country. Vodafone and Movistar generally have the widest coverage, especially in rural areas, while Orange and Yoigo also offer robust networks, particularly in urban regions.
  • Data Speeds: 4G speeds can vary but are generally good, with download speeds ranging from 20-50 Mbps in urban areas. Some providers also offer 5G in major cities, which provides even faster speeds.

For a better understanding, here is a table comparing the speed and coverage of many providers:

Mobile Operator Coverage 4G Speed (Average) 5G Availability 5G Speed (Average)
Vodafone Extensive coverage across urban and rural areas 30-50 Mbps Major cities like Madrid and Barcelona Up to 200 Mbps
Movistar Widest coverage, especially strong in rural areas 20-40 Mbps Major urban areas Up to 150 Mbps
Orange Robust in urban areas, moderate in rural areas 20-40 Mbps Major cities Up to 100 Mbps
Yoigo Good in cities, relies on partners in rural areas 20-30 Mbps Select urban areas Up to 100 Mbps

3. Validity start and expiration

  • Activation: SIM cards typically activate immediately upon insertion into your phone and connecting to the network. Some might require you to go through a simple activation process online or through an app.
  • Validity: Most tourist SIM cards are valid for 28 to 30 days, which is ideal for short stays. Make sure to check the expiration date and top up if necessary.

III. Where to buy a SIM card for Spain

  • Buying a Spain SIM card at the airport 

At these airports in Spain, you can easily find kiosks and small shops that sell SIM cards right after you exit the baggage claim area. Here are some airports in Spain where you can find SIM cards there:

  • Madrid-Barajas Airport
  • Barcelona-El Prat Airport
  • Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport

IV. Best Spain SIM card providers for tourists 

Several mobile providers offer Spain SIM card plans with a range of data, calls, and text options. Below is a table about the best SIM card plans available from Orange, Vodafone, Movistar, Yoigo, Lycamobile, and Simyo.

Provider Plan Data Calls Texts Validity Cost
Orange
 Orange Holiday SIM 20 GB Unlimited within Spain, 50 min international Unlimited within Spain 14 days €20
Mundo SIM 5 GB to 30 GB Unlimited within Spain Unlimited within Spain 28 days €10-€35
Vodafone
 Vodafone Holiday SIM 35 GB Unlimited within Spain, 200 min international Unlimited within Spain 28 days €20
Vodafone Yu Prepaid SIM 15 GB Unlimited within Spain Unlimited within Spain 28 days €15
Movistar
 Prepago Plus SIM 25 GB Unlimited within Spain Unlimited within Spain 28 days €25
Prepago 5 5 GB 40 minutes within Spain Pay-per-use 28 days €5
Yoigo
 La Prepago SIM 20 GB Unlimited within Spain Pay-per-use 30 days €20
Combo 10 10 GB 100 minutes within Spain Pay-per-use 30 days €10
Lycamobile
 Tourist Plan 20 GB Unlimited within Spain, 100 min international Unlimited within Spain 30 days €15
National Plus 10 GB Unlimited within Spain Unlimited within Spain 30 days €10
Simyo Customizable Prepaid SIM 3 GB to 30 GB 100 minutes to unlimited Pay-per-use or unlimited 30 days Varies

To choose the best Spain SIM card plan, you should consider your budget, the duration of your trip, and the amount of data you’re going to use. Here are some recommendations:

  • Short Trip (Up to 14 Days) with Moderate Data Use: Orange Holiday SIM because this plan offers 20 GB of data, unlimited calls and texts within Spain, and 50 minutes of international calls, making it suitable for navigation, using social media, and texting.
  • Longer Stay (Up to 30 Days) with High Data Use: Vodafone Holiday SIM because you can use 35 GB of data, unlimited calls and texts within Spain, and 200 minutes of international calls, this plan is great for travelers who need more data for streaming, frequent video calls, or work.

V. Spain eSIM – trending alternative to traditional SIM Card

Spain SIM Card is a great option to stay connected, however, it is not without its disadvantages such as limited storage capacity, needs to be inserted into devices, and tied to specific network providers.

However, thanks to the development of technology, Spain eSIM is a wonderful alternative for some reasons below:

  • Flexibility to easily switch between network providers
  • Convenience of not needing to physically insert/remove a SIM card
  • Remote activation of mobile plans directly on your device
  • Provides more storage space compared to a traditional SIM card
  • Designed to work seamlessly with your device for a better overall experience

However, you need to make sure that your device is eSIM-compatible before you get one in Spain. Most newer smartphones support eSIM technology, but it’s better to double-check it once again.

Read this guide What’s The Best Spain eSIM For Spain traveling? to explore more useful tips!

V. Final thoughts on getting a SIM Card for Spain

In conclusion, a Spain SIM Card is a good way to access the Internet, however, there are still some drawbacks mentioned above. Overall, an eSIM is often the better choice over a local SIM card, as it offers convenience and flexibility for travelers.