How Does SIM Card & Internet Work in Spain?
Last verified: 2025-06 · Europe
1The Quick Answer
Buy a prepaid SIM from Movistar, Vodafone, Orange, or Yoigo at airports, phone shops, or supermarkets — tourist SIMs with generous data are available from around €10.
2What You Need to Know
Spain has excellent 4G/LTE coverage across major cities, tourist areas, and main transport routes, with 5G expanding rapidly. The main operators are Movistar (Telefónica), Vodafone, Orange, and Yoigo. Prepaid tourist SIMs can be purchased at airports on arrival, in phone shops (phone shops and carrier stores are abundant), and in large supermarkets such as Carrefour and Lidl. EU citizens benefit from EU roaming rules, meaning their home SIM should work at no extra cost throughout Spain. Visitors from outside the EU (US, UK, Australia, etc.) will find a local prepaid SIM the most cost-effective option. Wi-Fi is widely available in hotels, cafés, and many public spaces.
3Practical Tips
Practical Tips
- 1EU residents can use their home SIM at no extra charge in Spain under EU roaming rules — check with your provider before travelling
- 2Buy a SIM at the airport arrivals hall for immediate connectivity — Orange and Vodafone both have airport stores
- 3Lidl and Carrefour supermarkets sell Lidl Connect and other budget SIM cards that are among the cheapest data options
How does this compare?
SIM Card & Internet rules in nearby and similar countries:
Buy a prepaid SIM at the airport or any Saturn/MediaMarkt electronics store — Telekom offers the best coverage across Germany.
Buy a UK SIM at the airport or Argos for instant data; Three's £10 tourist SIM offers excellent value, and Airalo eSIMs work well before you land.
Orange, SFR, Bouygues Telecom, and Free Mobile all offer tourist SIMs available at airports, phone shops, and tabacs — EU residents benefit from free roaming across France.
Traveling to Spain?
You might also need:
Airalo eSIM
Instant eSIM for 190+ countries. Set up before you leave — no physical SIM card needed.
Pocket WiFi Rental
Unlimited mobile internet in your pocket. Rent a WiFi hotspot device for your entire trip.
NordVPN
Stay secure on public WiFi and access your home country's content while abroad.
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