A good internet connection is a key factor in choosing a mobile operator in Spain. Few people really care about the number of calls included in the tariff, as they ara available online through a variety of applications, such as Whatsapp, Skype, Telegram, etc. Nevertheless, roaming does not lose its importance and when traveling in Europe it is important to understand what the cost of internal and external calls will be if you need to use them.
Here is the list of the most popular phone companies in Spain:
- Vodafone
- Orange
- Movistar
- Jazztel
- Yoigo
These are the largest mobile operators in Spain, offering good service and high-quality internet. As a rule, when buying a SIM card, you can choose a tariff that suits you: a contract or a prepayment. What is the difference?
Usually, the tariff under the contract is more favorable, because you buy a package of services for a period of 12 months or more, paying the same amount each month through your bank account. The account must be with a local bank such as CaixaBank, BBVA, Santander or others. To sign the contract, you will need a NIE number (foreigner identification number), it is also indicated on the resident card, if available.
In case you do not have the above details for the contract, you can purchase a prepaid SIM card. It can be issued through your passport, driver’s license or any other document proving your identity. Further, you simply replenish the balance of the card through the points of sale of SIM cards, on the operator’s website or through an ATM. All of the above companies provide SIM cards both with contract and prepaid.
Pricing
Movistar offers “Tuenti” budget deals. For example, for 6.95 euros per month, you get 3 Gb Internet and unlimited calls in Spain. And if you exceed your mobile data usage, you can continue browsing the internet at 64kb for free.
Choosing a tariff for 9.95 euros, you will have 5 Gb of the Internet, and for 13.95 euros 11 Gb.
Having used all mobile data, you can always activate additional Gb within any of the tariffs.
Vodafone offers the popular Big User plan. For 15 euros you will get 15 Gb of Internet, unlimited calls and SMS. There are more expensive tariffs available, with more data and enabled roaming.
The next popular mobile operator is Orange with Go Flexible tariff. The usual cost of the tariff is 24 euros (includes unlimited calls and 100 Gb of the Internet), however, for new users for the first half of the year, there is a 50% discount, which will be 12 euros per month.
Prepaid card
In order to make chrap calls to your friends and family all over the world, and not to sign up for a permanent contract, you can use SIM cards from Lebara, Happy Movil, Simyo, Yoigo. Cheap deals can be temporary promotions from major mobile operators such as Vodafone, Orange or Movistar.
We recommend you to clarify this in advance when buying a SIM card, it will come in handy when replenishing your balance in the future. These cards are valid for six months, if during this time you have never used it, it will be canceled.
Where to buy a SIM card in Spain.
Directly in the sales offices of the operators themselves. The companies are easy to distinguish, Vodafone is red, Orange is orange, Movistar is blue and green, Jazztel is yellow. They usually work from Monday to Saturday.
Urgently need a prepaid SIM card on Sunday or a weekend? Small local shops selling mobile phones and accessories will save your life, they are called “Locutorio”, the owners are most often Pakistanis or Indians. And a bonus point they all speak English.
In Spanish, it will be enough to say “Necesito una sim para llamar y internet”, which literally means: “I need a SIM card to call and have the Internet”, you will be immediately understood and given a prepaid card, which can then be recharged with balance at the same shop once you need it.
Do you still have some questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us, we are here to help!