Spain
eSIM Spain

eSIM for Spain: what actually works

A researched, up-to-date guide to mobile data in Spain. Operators, coverage, prices, and when a local SIM beats us.

Researched & verified · last updated 2026-06
Spain eSIM guide Data tools
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The short answer

Choose your eSIM Spain according to the length of your stay and your expected data use. 5 GB is generally enough for maps, messaging and social media, while video streaming and hotspot use require more data. The plans shown range from 1 to 50 GB and start at $1.90. They are fully refundable within 30 days provided the eSIM has not been used on a network at the destination. The activation link is sent by email after purchase.

Spain eSIM plans

Prices in USD. Instant QR activation. Pick your data, land connected.

Promo · best value
50GB
30 days validity
3G/4G/5G
$0.70 / GB
$34.90
Buy this plan

Clear data. Clear price.

Drift plans show a fixed data allowance, validity period and final price before checkout.

About “unlimited” plans: Plans marketed as unlimited, including Holafly plans, may still be subject to local network Fair Usage Policies (FUP) and temporary speed reductions after heavy use. Unlimited data does not always mean unlimited full-speed data.

Coverage in Spain

Spain has excellent mobile coverage along the coast, across the major cities and throughout the main tourist regions, with 5G now widespread in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville and the costas. Movistar carries the deepest rural and mountain reach, which matters in the Pyrenees, parts of inland Castilla and the more remote corners of Galicia. The Balearic and Canary Islands are well served in resort areas, with occasional thinning on remote beaches and hiking trails. For the overwhelming majority of trips, signal is a non issue.

Local operators

Movistar

physical SIM only

the widest network with the best rural and mountain coverage, the strongest single choice away from the cities and on the islands.

Vodafone

physical SIM only

strong city and coastal performance with broad 5G, very reliable in tourist areas.

Orange

physical SIM only

good nationwide coverage and competitive data, a dependable all round option.

Network & operator

Networks available by plan

The network depends on the plan you choose. These are the published operators for the first six plans currently sold.

PlanPublished operators
1 GB · 7 daysOrange España (MASORANGE), Movistar (Telefónica España)
3 GB · 15 daysOrange España (MASORANGE), Movistar (Telefónica España)
5 GB · 30 daysOrange España (MASORANGE), Movistar (Telefónica España)
10 GB · 30 daysOrange España (MASORANGE), Movistar (Telefónica España)
20 GB · 30 daysOrange España (MASORANGE), Movistar (Telefónica España)
50 GB · 30 daysOrange España (MASORANGE), Movistar (Telefónica España)

Buying a local SIM instead

Where to buy: operator stores, El Corte Ingles, tobacco shops (estancos) and supermarkets; airport counters at Madrid Barajas and Barcelona El Prat

Price: 10-20 USD

A passport is required to register a Spanish SIM, and EU carrier terms is bundled into most prepaid plans, so a single Spanish or EU eSIM also covers trips into Portugal, France and beyond under the carrier terms.

Spain connectivity snapshot · live data
Price / GB
$0.94 / GB
Network quality
96/100
Top operator
Movistar
3-month price trend Calculate your data →Full price index →Speed ranking →
Source: DriftEuropa open dataset · updated monthly

The verdict

The verdict

Our eSIM wins when: you want to land connected for a beach or city holiday of a few days to a couple of weeks, without queuing or registering a SIM, or you are island hopping and combining Spain with nearby EU countries.

A local SIM wins when: you are staying a month or more in Spain and want the lowest price per gigabyte from a local Movistar or Vodafone pack.

Bottom line: For the typical one to three week trip, a travel eSIM is the easiest choice. For a long stay or a seasonal base, a local prepaid pack is cheaper per gigabyte.

Spain eSIM FAQ

Is an eSIM cheaper than a local Spain SIM?

A local prepaid SIM runs about $10-20 and wins on price per gigabyte if you stay a month or more. For a short trip a travel eSIM is usually cheaper once you count the airport markup and the time spent registering a local SIM.

Is 4G or 5G better in Spain in 2026?

5G is now broad across the main cities and tourist regions, and 4G was already fast enough for maps, calls and streaming. Pick a plan on coverage where you are going, not on 4G versus 5G. The Balearic and Canary Islands are well served in resort areas, with occasional thinning on remote beaches and hiking trails.

Does an eSIM work on arrival at the airport in Spain?

Yes. Activate it before you fly and it connects to Movistar the moment you land, before you reach immigration. No need to find a SIM counter at Madrid Barajas and Barcelona El Prat.

Which operator is best for a tourist in Spain?

Movistar is the safest single choice with the widest reach. Vodafone is a solid alternative, strong city and coastal performance with broad 5G, very reliable in tourist areas. A travel eSIM typically rides the strongest of these networks, so you get that coverage without choosing.

How long should my eSIM plan last for Spain?

Match it to your trip. For a city break or a multi country itinerary, a short validity travel eSIM is the simplest call. For a stay of a month or more in Spain, a local pack edges ahead on price per gigabyte.

Cities & islands in Spain

Local coverage, the best network by area, and the same plans that work nationwide.

A CorunaMovistar, Vodafone, Orange and Yoigo are all strong in the city; Movistar has the broadest reach across the rugged Galician coast and hills AlicanteMovistar, Vodafone, Orange and Yoigo are all strong on the coast; Movistar has the broadest reach and edges ahead for the coves and inland day trips BarcelonaMovistar, Vodafone, Orange and Yoigo are all strong in the city; Movistar has the broadest reach and edges ahead for the mountain and coast day trips BilbaoMovistar, Vodafone, Orange and Yoigo are all strong in the city; Movistar has the broadest reach and edges ahead along the coast and in the hills CadizMovistar, Vodafone, Orange and Yoigo are all strong in the city; Movistar has the broadest reach along the coast and the inland white villages CordobaMovistar, Vodafone, Orange and Yoigo are all strong in the city; Movistar has the broadest reach for the Andalusian countryside GironaMovistar, Vodafone, Orange and Yoigo are all strong in the city; Movistar has the broadest reach for the coast and the mountains, and an EU eSIM helps near the French border GranadaMovistar, Vodafone, Orange and Yoigo are all strong in the city; Movistar has the broadest reach and edges ahead in the Sierra Nevada and the hill quarters IbizaMovistar, Vodafone, Orange and Yoigo are all strong in the towns and resorts; Movistar has the broadest reach across the rural north of the island LanzaroteMovistar, Vodafone, Orange and Yoigo are all strong in the towns and resorts; Movistar has the broadest reach across the volcanic interior Las PalmasMovistar, Vodafone, Orange and Yoigo are all strong in the city; Movistar has the broadest reach across the mountainous interior of Gran Canaria MadridMovistar, Vodafone, Orange and Yoigo are all strong in the city; Movistar has the broadest reach and edges ahead for day trips out of town MalagaMovistar, Vodafone, Orange and Yoigo are all strong on the coast; Movistar has the broadest reach and edges ahead in the mountains inland MarbellaMovistar, Vodafone, Orange and Yoigo are all strong along the coast; Movistar has the broadest reach inland and in the mountains MurciaMovistar, Vodafone, Orange and Yoigo are all strong in the city; Movistar has the broadest reach for the coast and the inland countryside Palma de MallorcaMovistar, Vodafone, Orange and Yoigo are all strong in Palma; Movistar has the broadest reach across the mountainous and rural parts of the island PamplonaMovistar, Vodafone, Orange and Yoigo are all strong in the city; Movistar has the broadest reach across the Pyrenees and the Camino, and an EU eSIM helps near the French border RondaMovistar, Vodafone, Orange and Yoigo are all strong in the town; Movistar has the broadest reach across the mountainous Serrania de Ronda SalamancaMovistar, Vodafone, Orange and Yoigo are all strong in the city; Movistar has the broadest reach across the Castilian countryside San SebastianMovistar, Vodafone, Orange and Yoigo are all strong in the city; Movistar leads reach in the hills, and an EU eSIM roams into France with no SIM swap Santiago de CompostelaMovistar, Vodafone, Orange and Yoigo are all strong in the city; Movistar has the broadest reach across the green Galician countryside and the Camino routes SegoviaMovistar, Vodafone, Orange and Yoigo are all strong in the city; Movistar has the broadest reach across the Castilian countryside and the mountains SevilleMovistar, Vodafone, Orange and Yoigo are all strong in the city; Movistar has the broadest reach and edges ahead for Andalusian day trips TarragonaMovistar, Vodafone, Orange and Yoigo are all strong in the city; Movistar has the broadest reach along the coast and inland TenerifeMovistar, Vodafone, Orange and Yoigo are all strong in the cities and resorts; Movistar has the broadest reach across the volcanic interior and the remote north ToledoMovistar, Vodafone, Orange and Yoigo are all strong in the city; Movistar has the broadest reach for the surrounding countryside ValenciaMovistar, Vodafone, Orange and Yoigo are all strong in the city; Movistar has the broadest reach and edges ahead for the wetland and inland day trips ZaragozaMovistar, Vodafone, Orange and Yoigo are all strong in the city; Movistar has the broadest reach across rural Aragon

Plan and verify your Spain connectivity

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Spain eSIM guide Data tools