SIM Card Guides

How to buy a Spain SIM card: TK cheapest plans

Stay connected with a Spain SIM card on your trip. This guide includes the best Spain SIM cards, requirements, costs, and where to buy a SIM card in Spain for tourists.

If you’re visiting Spain for work or leisure, you’ll need a solid internet connection. Staying connected is a priority, whether you’re using your phone to organize transport or locate the best tavernas.

To avoid the headache of tracking down the best Spain SIM cards, we’ve compiled a guide on how and where to buy local SIM cards, the best options, and digital alternatives like an unlimited data travel eSIM.

In this article

Why buy a prepaid Spain SIM card?

Getting a Spain SIM card is not only essential for staying online and connected but also for avoiding high roaming charges. Here are a few more reasons why you might want to buy a Spanish SIM card as a tourist:

You’ll have a local number to call and text numbers in Spain (handy especially in case of emergencies)
You’ll have access to multiple flexible packages and prepaid SIM card options
You’ll be connected to the internet on local networks, ensuring a high-speed and reliable connection

How much does a SIM card cost in Spain?

You can expect to pay between $10 USD and $45 for Movistar, Orange, Vodafone, and Yoigo prepaid SIM cards. Of course, the longer the duration and benefits of the plan, the more expensive it will be.

Where to buy a Spain SIM card?

As a visitor, you have two ways to buy a Spanish SIM card to use your cell phone in Spain: online before you travel or once you arrive.

Buy your SIM card online

If you want instant connectivity and mobile data as soon as you land, you’ll want to preorder a Spain travel SIM card online before you begin your journey. Here are some third-party retailers that offer delivery to the USA:

Amazon: Orange Europe SIM (10-100 GB + local/international calls)
SimCorner: travSIM Spain SIM (200 GB data-only SIM)
travSIM: Spain SIM (6 GB + unlimited EU calls and texts)

Buy your SIM card in Spain for tourists (on arrival)

You can also buy a Spain SIM card once you land. Here are a couple of places where you can find popular prepaid SIM cards:

Kiosks at airports in Madrid and Barcelona
Official mobile carrier stores
Supermarkets like Carrefour
Electronics stores like MediaMarkt
El Corte Inglés department store

Can I buy a SIM card at a Spanish airport?

Yes, you can buy a Spain SIM card for tourists at kiosks located in major airports such as:

Madrid-Barajas Airport: Orange, Vodafone (arrival halls, Terminal T1 & T4 shops, vending machines)
Barcelona-El Prat Airport: Orange, Vodafone (Terminal 1 & Terminal 2 kiosks, WHSmith stores)
Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport: Movistar, Orange, Vodafone (arrival area shops, newsstands, vending machines)

However, rates might be slightly more expensive, and waiting time may be longer due to tourist rush.

Best SIM cards for Spain

We’ve rounded up four major mobile operators (Movistar, Orange, Vodafone, and Yoigo) and listed some of their popular prepaid physical SIM card plans along with prices.

Movistar

This phone company is a leading provider in Spain and other European countries, offering tourist-specific SIM card services for Spain without contracts.

These prepaid SIM card plans all have a 28-day validity period:

€10 (~$11) for 10 GB + 40 GB (ultra-fast data with 5G+ coverage), unlimited national calls, 200 minutes of international calls
€15 (~$17) for 20GB + 80GB (ultra-fast data with 5G+ coverage), unlimited national calls, 400 international minutes
€20 (~$22) for 35GB + 140GB (ultra-fast data with 5G+ coverage), unlimited national calls

Orange

Orange is one of the best-known mobile phone providers in Europe and Spain, offering local SIM cards for tourists with options for various periods of use.

$15 for 5 GB, 30 international minutes, and 120 worldwide SMS (15-day validity)
$23 for 10 GB, 60 international minutes, and 180 worldwide SMS (30-day validity)
$27 for 20 GB, 120 international minutes, and 200 worldwide SMS (30-day validity)
$56 for 50 GB, 120 international minutes, and 200 worldwide SMS (30-day validity)
$67 for 100 GB, 120 minutes for international calls, and 1000 worldwide SMS (30-day validity)

Vodafone

Originally from Spain, Vodafone now has a presence all over the world. If you’re currently on a Vodafone plan, check if it offers international roaming in Spain. For its home country, it offers the following prepaid SIM card options with 28-day validity:

Prepago M: €15 (~$17) for 240 GB and 2000 international minutes
Prepago L: €20 (~$23) for 300 GB and 3000 international minutes
Prepago XL: €30 (~$34) for 350 GB and 3000 international minutes
Prepago XXL: €40 (~$46) for 400 GB and 3000 international minutes

You can top up your prepaid SIM cards online, via the Vodafone app, or at one of their physical stores.

Yoigo

Yoigo is the fourth-largest mobile network operator in Spain. Automatically renewed every 30 days, Yoigo’s SIM options suit those needing larger data allowances. Here’s a quick look at their prepaid plans with unlimited calling:

€10/month (~$12) for 25 GB and unlimited local calls
€15/month (~$17) for 50 GB and unlimited local calls
€20/month (~$23) for 100 GB and unlimited local calls
€35/month (~$40) for 150 GB and unlimited local calls

How to buy a SIM card in Spain for tourists: TK requirements

Based on local regulations, there are a couple of key requirements for registering a prepaid SIM card in Spain. Here’s what you’ll need:

Valid passport and/or visa
Proof of accommodation/address (hotel confirmation, rental agreement, or local address)
Registration form (filled at the time of SIM registration)
Copy of your passport (retained by the provider you choose)
Unlocked phone (ensure your phone isn’t carrier-locked)
Phone compatibility (both dual SIM and single SIM phones are compatible)
Valid payment method (credit/debit card or cash)

If the Spain SIM card registration process sounds overwhelming, a more flexible and convenient alternative exists. Virtual SIMs connect digitally to your device’s hardware, meaning you do not need to insert a physical SIM card into your phone, there’s no lengthy registration process, and you keep your phone number.

All you have to do is buy one online, scan a QR code to set it up, purchase a plan, and manage it through its respective app.

Holafly’s eSIM for Spain with unlimited data

Holafly’s eSIM for Spain may be the quickest, easiest, and most cost-effective option.

With unlimited mobile data and 24/7 customer support, Holafly’s eSIM for Spain costs as low as $6.90 for one day to as high as $139.90 (only $1.55 a day) for 90 days.

Here’s how Holafly compares to Spain’s SIM card providers:

Plan	Validity	Data	Price
Holafly eSIM for Spain	Flexible	Unlimited data	$71.90 (for a 28-day plan)
Movistar SIM card for Spain	28 days	35GB + 140GB (ultra-fast data with 5G+ coverage)	~$22
Orange SIM card for Spain	30 days	100 GB	$67
Vodafone SIM card	28 days	400 GB	~$46
Yoigo SIM card	30 days	150 GB	~$40

Holafly’s eSIM for Spain might cost more than other prepaid SIM cards for Spain, but it’s the only service that offers unlimited data and peace of mind for tourists, especially for heavy data-usage needs.

For more long-term vacations, consider Holafly Plans, a monthly subscription service for remote workers, digital nomads, or frequent travelers looking to extend their stay in Spain or beyond.

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Mahnoor Bangush

SEO Content Writer

Born and raised in Queens, New York, I'm a Psychology graduate with a passion for writing that I've been nurturing since 2019. Over the years, I've enjoyed creating meaningful content across various niches, including sports, hospitality, and career development. At Holafly, I focus on crafting useful and inspiring pieces to make your adventures more effortless. One of the best perks of this role? Creating travel content always seems to inspire my next vacation destination!

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