3 Best Prepaid SIM Cards in Spain

As an overseas visitor or an immigrant, a sim card may be essential for you to get around quickly. And we can only imagine how frustrating it may be to have connectivity issues in a foreign land.

Spain is known for its beaches, bars, and culture, and those who plan to indulge in its beauty for a long time may need to head over and buy a sim card to stay well connected. Staying connected to an active data connection without extra overbearing charges may make traveling or even moving to a different country much more manageable, considering that you may need a secure connection for a number of reasons, including finding specific locations and ordering a cab, etc.

Therefore, to avoid stressful situations, buying a local SIM card may be a more feasible option. It may not be that expensive but would definitely be worth the investment, provided that you choose the right company as your service provider. 

Quick Overview 

Here’s a quick overview you may need when choosing the best prepaid SIM card in Spain. 

Company	Movistar	Vodafone	Orange
English Website & Support	Yes	Yes	Yes
Data provided for 15 Euros	80GB	20GB	50GB
Auto-Recharge Possible	Yes	Yes	No
One-Time Purchase Cost	€12	€10	Free
EU Roaming Included	Yes	Yes	Yes

Please Note: This article caters to all kinds of users, those visiting Spain as tourists and those who intend to stay for a more extended period.

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Here are three of the best cellular network providers in Spain:

Orange

Orange Business Services is a renowned cellular network provider in Spain, and the business services arm of Orange S.A is a global integrator of communication products and services for multinational corporations. The firm offers a wide range of packages catering to most of your needs ranging between 5 Euros to 50 Euros. 

Now depending on how long one intends to reside in Spain and the sort of activities they conduct, you will be given different packages from whichever you can choose to avail. The packages, in this case, include those offering 20GB in 4G, 120 minutes, and 1000 international texts as well. Other packages include 3GB in 4G, 30 minutes, and 200 texts worldwide. In this case, the SIM card provided to tourists may cost about 10 to 12 euros. Orange also ensures a vast network and thus provides access to services throughout Europe. Orange covers areas such as Andorra, Azores, Belgium, Canary Islands, Finland, Italy, Germany, Greece, Rhodes, Poland, Vatican, etc. SIM cards are also sold at Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD) and Josep Tarradellas Barcelona–El Prat Airport (BCN). Upon entering Spain, just insert the SIM card into your device, and it will automatically begin catching signals from the nearest local network-providing tower. We must keep the device roaming if we are to visit different countries. The customer registration is compulsory for people who intend to stay for more than 30 days, and you can use the line indefinitely provided that you keep renewing the subscription every six months.

Vodafone

Vodafone Group Plc is a British multinational telecommunications company. The company not only provides services all over Europe but also has its headquarters in Newbury, Berkshire, England. Vodafone also provides services in Asia, Africa, Europe, and Oceania. The firm has had an extended range of operations across 22 countries since November 2020 and has partnered with networks in more than 48 countries. It provides packages ranging from 25GB of data for 10 euros with 300 mins to 150GB with unlimited calls for 40 euros. Therefore the firm has a wide range of packages for customers to choose from. You can even buy prepaid SIM cards from their stores without a monthly cost of €5 with €5 credit. In this case, unused data can also be carried over for almost three months if you renew your package after 28 days. 

Movistar

Movistar may be known as a slightly more expensive option when it comes to SIM cards. However, the company provides exceptional coverage and internet services and may also be known as the most preferred cellular network provider for natives. The company offers prepaid packages with 140GB of data and unlimited calls for 20 euros a month. Other packages include 80GB for 15 euros with unlimited national and 400 international minutes as well as 40GB with 200 international minutes for 10 euros a month. 

Buying a Prepaid SIM Card in Spain

The three major cellular network providers are known to be the best service providers. Vodafone, Orange, and Movistar come highly recommended when it comes to cellular service and SIM cards. In this case, Movistar may be slightly pricey but has the best coverage throughout the country. All three companies, however, provide various data promotions and exceptional services. All companies, however, may provide customers with sufficient texts, calls, and data within 10 to 15 euros a month.  

Coverage and Data Speeds

All three firms provide exceptional service, coverage, and speed. A reliable service and excellent LTE speed are ensured, especially in major towns and cities. This exceptional service also extends to rural areas and villages with the availability of 4G/LTE services. 

EU Roaming

Considering that Spain is a part of the European Union, users are able to use SIM cards from any country that is a part of the European Union across all others at no additional charge. 

Here are some points that you may consider before choosing your package:

First and foremost, make sure that your package provides you with sufficient data and works well with other cellular networks in the country. Also, make sure that the process for the company you choose is easy and that physical stores providing services for your chosen provider are easily accessible. You may also want to ensure that the company you choose provides efficient and reliable customer service and that you can easily switch from one package to another. 

TIP: All SIM cards provided by these service providers are Triple-SIM and therefore fit all three sizes of SIM jackets. 

Which SIM card offers the best mobile data services?

In this case, Orange provides the best mobile data services and also provides more GBs at a comparatively lower cost, while Vodafone isn’t far behind. Movistar, however, may be a more expensive option if you have extensive internet usage. 

Which SIM card is the most affordable? 

SIM cards in Spain may not be as pricey overall. However, Orange ensures that it provides its customers with absolutely free SIM cards that come at no extra costs as long as they are topped up with a sufficient amount upon purchase. Orange also provides several affordable packages and no additional roaming charges.

E-sim cards for Spain

E-SIM cards may be a more viable option for those who intend to travel as tourists. These SIM cards provide all regular services automated through your phone. However, these SIM cards only provide data and do not support calls. Thus most people tend to prefer opting for prepaid SIM cards instead. 

Which network offers the best 4G/5G Network in Spain?

While most European countries may not have very reliable 4G or 5G services, Spain is known to provide the weakest coverage. Most local service providers may not provide these services at all, while other larger firms like Movistar may provide the best and comparatively secure 4G/5G connection services in Spain.

How to Buy a Prepaid SIM Card in Spain?

In order to buy a SIM card, you must first choose a company that you consider suits your requirements best. The next step would be to choose a suitable plan and hand over your passport for the firm to set up your SIM card. The process, in this case, takes less than 5 minutes for all three firms. Sim cards for Orange and Movistar may be purchased from various smaller stores all over the country. Spanish SIM cards, in this case, need to be lawfully registered, which requires either a passport or a national ID card. A SIM card provided by Orange offers 1000 international texts, 20GB of data, and 2 hours of international calls. You may even get 20% off on pre-ordering this SIM card by using the code SIMOFF20. Vodafone is known to be preferred by tourists due to the wide range of prepaid packages offered. 

Company	Package	Data	International Calls
Orange	€ 10	20GB	120 minutes
Orange	€ 15	50GB	Unlimited
Vodafone	€ 10	12GB	300 minutes
Vodafone	€ 15	20GB	800 minutes
Vodafone	€ 20	35GB	Unlimited

SIM cards may be accessible upon purchase depending on the outlet you buy them from and may be charged after you activate them. This applies extensively to Orange SIM cards with no initial costs if topped up with a reasonable amount.

Where to buy a Prepaid SIM Card?

SIM cards may be bought at physical stores as well as online. Online stores may, however, be feasible while pre-ordering or for people living in other European countries. These SIM cards may be delivered in a few days. However, there may be certain complications. These complications may, however, be avoided by making your purchase at a physical store. You may find several such stores in Spain, including in airports. You can purchase a SIM card at various stops, including various airports. However, SIM cards sold at airports tend to be more expensive than those being sold in the city center. Here are some places where you can buy your prepaid SIM card:

Barcelona Airport

You may be able to purchase an Orange SIM card at the Barcelona Airport for €20 in Terminal 1 as well as Terminal 2. 

Madrid Airport

You can also purchase an Orange SIM card when you arrive at the Madrid Airport for €25. This SIM card can be found in Terminal 4 and provides you with 10GB of data as well as 10 euros worth of calling credit.

Official phone stores city center

If you’re not too keen on buying an expensive SIM card at the airport, you may also buy one after settling in comfortably. You may be able to find several stores in Barcelona, Malaga, Madrid, Alicante, etc. Furthermore, you may also be able to buy them at some gas stations and convenience stores. 

Buying Prepaid SIM cards online.

If you want to save yourself the hassle of looking for a store and going to buy a SIM card once you reach Spain, you can order your SIM card online, and it will be delivered to you within a few days. 

Topping Up 

You may have various options to top up your account; the most straightforward way, however, would be to top up in-stores that provide services for Orange and Vodafone. You may even top up online or at ATMs. However, most of these options may require a credit/debit card. 

Conclusion

Considering that moving to Spain or even simply traveling as a tourist may require you to be connected to a data network, you may want to make things more convenient for yourself by purchasing a prepaid SIM at the airport or by rushing to get one from one of the stores in the city once you’ve settled in. Spain is also known to have extremely weak 4G/5G provisions, and it is thus a requirement for you to choose the right service provider to ensure that your needs are catered to and that the package you choose is tailored to your usage. Movistar, in this case, provides exceptional service, customer support, full coverage all over the country, and exceptional data services as well. Vodafone and Orange are not far behind either and are also known to be some of the best cellular service providers in Spain, with a variety of packages to choose from that are tailored to meet the requirements of all kinds of users. 

SIM cards may need to be legally registered using a passport or an ID card. However, the process takes less than 5 minutes and is relatively easy. Also, Spanish hotels are known to have weak WIFI, and you do not want to rely on them. Therefore, to save time and hassle, you may want to either order a SIM card online or purchase one as soon as you get there to ensure convenience and enjoy the rest of your time in this beautiful place.