Mobile internet in Spain: What is the best option?

Is your next travel destination Spain? You probably don’t want to be without a mobile internet connection in this European country. Whether it’s to keep in touch with family and friends, attend work, or simply share your trip on social networks, maintaining an internet connection is a must during any trip. 

So through this article, we will be talking about each of the alternatives you can count on to have mobile internet in Spain. So if you have any doubts about the different options, keep reading, we will surely answer all your questions. 

Mobile internet in Spain

To start with this article, let’s talk about the different alternatives you will have to get your mobile internet on your trip to Spain. We will talk about five options so that you can purchase the one that best suits your needs for your trip to Spain. 

Among the alternatives, you can count on international roaming from your local operator. Or purchase an eSIM or SIM card. On the other hand, you can also rent a Pocket WiFi, and in case of emergency, look for places with free wifi so you can connect to the internet. 

Spain Mobile internet providers

Below we will discuss in more detail the different internet providers that will allow you to have an internet connection during your trip to Spain. Having this information with you in advance will help you to analyze and compare the benefits and costs of each alternative, as well as the disadvantages they may have. So you’ll be able to make a decision on which alternative to choose. 

Prepaid SIM Card for Spain

The word “SIM” stands for “subscriber identity module,” and it is responsible for holding all of the information required to connect your mobile phone to the cellular network. These SIM cards have evolved over the years, and today there are Prepaid SIM cards with which you can stay connected to the internet while traveling. 

If you want to have mobile internet in this wonderful European destination you have two main alternatives to buying a SIM card for Spain. Either in a digital store specialized in international mobile cards, such as Holafly. Or in a physical store once you arrive at the airport of the Spanish city you are going to visit.

Movistar

Once at the airport, you will find a Movistar shop. Their SIM cards are characterized by having 4G LTE coverage and 5G depending on the device. Also, you can have specific data packages for social networks. And important to know that their prepaid plans include voice and SMS.

Vodafone

You will find a Vodafone shop in almost any Spanish airport. With their data prepaid SIM cards, you’ll have access to different data packages with calls and SMS included. You also will be able to share the internet with other devices. And, It can also be purchased online on the official Vodafone Spain website.

Holafly SIM Card for Spain

The Holafly SIM card is also a great idea when connecting to the internet in Spain. Firstly, it is very easy to acquire and install on your cell phone. Secondly, the SIM card offered by this company for Spain has coverage throughout Spain and neighboring countries.

With this company’s SIM card you can have an internet connection in Spain as and when you need it and at the following rates:

Let’s take a look at some of the advantages that the Holafly SIM card offers you:

Advantages of the SIM card

• Freephone number and incoming calls.
• You have the support of the best mobile internet operator in Spain, such as Movistar.
• This Holafly product also works in other European destinations.
• You have the possibility to keep your WhatsApp number to send messages or make calls from Spain to your contacts.
• If you choose the free delivery option, you will receive the SIM card within 72 working hours. But if you need it urgently, you will receive it in 48 hours or the next day. 
• You receive technical support in different languages all day.

Disadvantages of the SIM card

• They are strict when they ask for confirmation of the order, as they send you a link in which you must indicate the exact date of activation of the service.
• The SIM card cannot be used in a WiFi router because it must only be used in a mobile phone, and Holafly does not support routers.
• The Holafly SIM service does not include calls.

International eSIM for traveling to Spain

If you haven’t heard much about International roaming eSIMs, don’t worry, that’s quite normal because these types of cards were shown in 2016 for the first time. These cards are a device that comes factory-installed on mobile phones and you can have an internet connection with them. One of the eSIMs that best suit the needs of frequent travelers is the prepaid eSIM that you can find in the Holafly online shop.

eSIM Spain by Holafly

The eSIM for Spain is an option that stands out for its quality when it comes to allowing access to your data plan. Even one of the best examples of quality after-sales service and coverage are the eSIMs offered by the Holafly online shop. So you can have internet access in Spain whenever you need it and based on the following rates:

Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of Holafly’s eSIMs: 

Advantages of the Holafly eSIM 

• High-speed connection in Spain and other European countries through the best network in Europe.
• You receive a QR code and you connect immediately.
• You keep your WhatsApp number.
• No need to sign contracts or clauses.

Disadvantages of the Holafly eSIM for Spain

• It only includes data at the destination you are visiting. 
• Calls or messages are not available with eSIMs. 
• Not compatible with all phones.

Roaming in Spain with your local operator

You can also purchase roaming service very easily with your local operator, however, this is usually very expensive, so we recommend checking your budget very well or opting for one of the other alternatives that we present to you. But in case you’ll like to use this option, we will talk about different operators from around the world, so you can know how to roam in Spain.

Telstra

This Australian company allows its users to activate international roaming during their trips to Spain. The company also allows you to use its data services with a pay-as-you-go plan, the price of this service for the USA is around $3 USD per MB. In addition, users can also count on the International Roaming Day Pass, which offers some more affordable plans, however, it is only available to users with postpaid plans. 

T-Mobile

For American users who have a contract with T-mobile services, this company offers some ways of international roaming. Firstly if you are a T-mobile user and use their roaming service in Spain you will be charged $15 USD per MB. On the other hand, with Simple Gold plans, you could have unlimited text and 2G data at no extra cost, but some qualifying credit is required. 

AT&T

We tell you about another American company that allows its users to make use of international roaming. If you are an AT&T user, then you can also activate it paying a cost of 2.05 USD per MB. In addition, this company offers its users other plans when traveling, such as AT&T International Day Pass, which allows you to have unlimited high-speed data, make calls, and send and receive text messages for 10 USD per day.

Pocket Wifi for Mobile Internet in Spain

If you wish to stay connected to the Internet at all times from anywhere in Spain, a Pocket WiFi could be useful. It is a wireless device that connects to a network and allows you to share data with your different devices, such as your mobile phone, laptop, smartwatches, and others. Learn more about these two options for renting a pocket wifi for Spain. 

In case you want to rent from a Spanish company, you can do it through WiFi Spain, they provide Pocket Wifi rental service only for Spain, their weekly rental is approximately $48,02 USD plus  $10,29 USD shipping to Spain for 10GB of 4G data for the whole stay. In case of loss or theft, you will have to pay a penalty of $80,03 USD for the device.

Another option is Travel Wifi, they are based in France, Spain, Indonesia, Singapore, and Chile, and they cover a huge amount of countries. Their Pocket Wifi service for Spain has 1GB per day at 4G, exceeding the daily gigabyte will reduce internet usage to 256kbs. This costs $55.65 US Dollars per week. The shipping can go from $8 to $30 US Dollars depending on the country And of course, you’ll have to pay a penalty in case of loss.

Free WiFi

As a last option for having mobile internet during your trip, you can also connect to free Wifi points, this can be an alternative for you if you do not have the budget to purchase any of the above. There are a lot of places where you can currently get free wifi in Spain, in restaurants, Starbucks, McDonald’s, shopping malls, and even in your hotel. But if you want to play it safe in the following applications you can locate each of these points: WiFi Map, WiFi Finder, and WiFiMapper.