International Roaming

Roaming in Spain: Rates and alternatives

Roaming in Spain can be costly. Compare roaming costs and how to stay connected abroad for less with an unlimited data Holafly eSIM.

Roaming in Spain can be expensive, depending on your local mobile provider. In fact, a single MB of data can cost over $10, which means that simply looking up directions or uploading an Instagram story could push your data roaming costs past $100 in just a few minutes.

That’s why roaming alternatives, like a travel eSIM, are often the smarter choice. They help you avoid high fees while still enjoying a fast and reliable internet connection during your trip to Spain.

This guide explores the different options for international roaming in Spain and goes deeper into the costs of this service for UK and US travelers.

In this article

Is roaming free in Spain?

Roaming isn’t free in Spain, but some mobile carriers offer free roaming plans, similar to those in the UK, that come with the ‘Roam Like Home’ service.

However, not all carriers offer this option, and travelers must pay for roaming passes, which can cost up to £31.50 per month.

For United States travelers, roaming is expensive, as most carriers offer daily roaming passes that can cost over $10/day.

How much are roaming charges in Spain?

Roaming charges in Spain can range from £2.50 to £31.50 in the UK, while in the US, people are charged between $5 and $12 for roaming passes.

For pay-as-you-go rates, US carriers charge up to $12/MB, while those in the UK work with roaming passes.

Let’s explore more about how much roaming charges are for UK and US travelers.

Roaming in Spain from the UK

Provider	Roaming pass	Pay-as-you-go
Vodafone roaming Spain	£2.57/day to unlock your texts, calls, and up to 25 GB aside from domestic rates	Buy an extra for £5.30 to get 100 minutes or £9.60 to get 3 GB without texts and calls
Three roaming in Spain	£2 daily on the Advanced and Lite plans with your local allowance Free roaming on Value and Complete plans for up to 56 days 3 to 14 days roaming passes for up to £24 with your local allowance	Roaming passes from £10 to £31.50 0.10p/MB, 0.35/minute, and 0.15p/text if outside your allowance
EE roaming in Spain	£2.59 for 1 day to £21.50 for 12 days to unlock your local allowance Free roaming on selected plans	Roam Like Home 24-hour Pass – £2.50 Roam Like Home 7-day Pass – £10
O2 roaming in Spain	Use your local allowance for free	Use your local allowance for free

Roaming in Spain from the US

Provider	Roaming pass	Pay-as-you-go
Verizon roaming in Spain	$12 daily with unlimited data, text, and calls	$1.79/minute, $0.50/text, $2.05/MB
T-Mobile roaming in Spain	$5 to $50 for up to 30 days with up to 15 GB of data, unlimited text and calls	T-Mobile doesn’t have pay-as-you-go rates; you have to use roaming passes
AT&T roaming in Spain	$12 daily with unlimited data, text, and calls	$2/minute, $1.30/text, $10.24/MB

Get unlimited data for less with a Holafly eSIM for Spain

Roaming is a standard option for getting mobile internet in Spain, but it’s not the most cost-effective choice in every case.

You can reduce these data roaming fees by using a Holafly eSIM for Spain. It costs $3.90, or £3.79 daily, and you get unlimited data with your plan.

With this eSIM, you don’t have to worry about using your local allowance or having data speed limits, and it also includes up to 500 MB of hotspot data, 24/7 customer support, and 5G internet.

Additionally, the longer you stay, the more affordable your plan becomes, as it can cost as little as $1.55/day, or £1.39 if you’re traveling from the UK.

How to avoid roaming charges in Spain

If you want to ensure you avoid data roaming charges as much as possible, here are some money-saving tips for your trip:

Turn roaming off: Go to “Settings,” tap “Mobile Data,” and then “Roaming Data,” and then turn off this option. You can turn this option back on only when you need it, avoiding surprise bills when traveling.
Use a physical SIM card: If you have a SIM-only phone, using a Spain SIM card is a good alternative to roaming. Plans range from €10 to €40 (~$11.73 to $49.91 USD) and include up to 400 GB of data, as well as unlimited text and voice calls depending on your plan.
Rent a pocket WiFi: A pocket WiFi for Spain is a good option for larger groups or remote workers, but you can easily pay up to $49/day without including delivery fees. With Holafly Plans, you get a cost-effective alternative to pocket WiFi devices, offering unlimited hotspot sharing, unlimited mobile data, and coverage in over 170 destinations for just $64.90/month.
Rely on free WiFi: This option is ideal for avoiding expensive roaming fees and paying for other services, but you’ll be limited to specific areas. Additionally, using your mobile phone or laptop is not the safest option, as free networks are vulnerable to hacking.

Data roaming in Spain vs. eSIM for Spain

Using data roaming in Spain is a viable option for some travelers, especially those from the UK, who may be eligible for free international roaming with their plan.

However, this is not always the case, as roaming standard rates are usually pretty high even with Spain roaming data bundles. You can end up paying over $100 for a 10-day trip from the US, or be subject to limits based on your local UK plan.

That’s where the eSIM for Spain acts as a game changer, as you get unlimited data without paying high international roaming bills.

Forget about international roaming and get an eSIM with an international plan and save money on roaming to enjoy your trip without limitations.

Visiting other European countries? Learn how data roaming works there:

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Julio Osuna

English Content Writer

I first started my content creation journey as a freelancer in 2019, before connecting with Holafly in 2021. At Holafly, my travel and tech interests come together in one place as I craft high-quality articles about the eSIM and related markets. My content aims to help travelers stay connected, wherever they are.

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