Best eSIM for Spain in 2023 (No More Roaming Problems)
Heading to Spain and want to get an eSIM for your trip? This detailed guide will tell you all about the best eSIM cards for Spain!
I’ve covered everything about eSIMs in Spain, from what you need to get an eSIM locally to the best eSIM data plans available out there.
At A Glance: Our Favorite eSims for Spain
- Best eSIM For Low Data Use
Airalo Spain eSimJump To Review - Unlimited Data
HolaflyJump To Review - Good For Text & Calls
Orange Holiday Europe eSimJump To Review - Affordable Spain & Europe Packages
NomadJump To Review - Best eSIM with Calls
Orange Holiday Zen eSimJump To Review
Whether you need a local phone number or unlimited mobile data, there’s a perfect Spain eSIM for you and you’ll find it right here!
Top Product Overview
 | Best eSIM For Low Data Use
| SEE ON Airalo → |
 | Unlimited Data
| SEE ON HOLAFLY → |
 | Good For Text & Calls
| SEE ON SIMOPTIONS → |
 | Affordable Spain & Europe Packages
| SEE ON NOMAD → |
 | Best eSIM with Calls
| SEE ON SIMOPTIONS → |
 |
| SEE ON UBIGI → |
Best eSim Providers in Spain
Airalo Spain eSim
Airalo is a very popular global eSIM provider and you should consider them if you’re looking to get an eSIM for Spain. Their eSIM packages range from $4.5 to $26, so they’re still more affordable than the local network operators.
The cheapest eSIM data plan from Airalo includes just 1 GB of data allowance to be used within the first seven days. It sounds like a bad deal, but it’s less than $5 so I’d say it’s fine for people who just want to know that they have Internet access if they need it.
Those who want to make the most of Airalo’s data plans should go for one of their mid-range packages, which are all valid for 30 days. You can get
The downside of Airalo (and all other non-Spanish eSIM providers) is that you don’t get a phone number. The embedded sim only gives you data, but not the ability to call and text from your number. Whether that’s a deal-breaker or a pro is entirely a matter of personal preference.
Pros
- Lots of options for Spain & Europe
- Price per GB one of the best
- App service is great
Cons
- Not great for high data use
Holafly
If you want access to unlimited data usage while you’re in Spain, Holafly is the eSIM provider you’re looking for. All their eSIM plans offer unlimited data, and they’re priced based on how long the plan stays active. Holafly eSm cards do not have a phone number, and instead, only provide you with access to mobile data.
The cheapest plan is $19 for five days, which should be enough for most people who are on a casual vacation in Spain. Holafly’s priciest plan is $99 for 90 days of unlimited data, which is probably cheaper than buying a proper package from an internet provider in the country.
Here are some of the best options:
This is by far the best option for digital nomads who rely on internet access to continue working even while they’re traveling, especially those who want to stay in Spain for more than just a couple of weeks.
NOTE:EXPERTWORLDTRAVEL Use our code: for 5% discount on checkout
Well, it’s almost the better option – Holafly’s eSIM doesn’t allow for data tethering or hotspot, which means you can’t share your mobile data. You will have internet access only on one device, which is truly disappointing.
Pros
- Unlimited Data packages
- Europe packages also available
Cons
- Expensive if you don't need unlimited data
Orange Holiday Europe eSim
Orange Holiday Europe is an eSIM data plan that offers unlimited calls and texts in Europe and 20 GB of data to be used over a period of 14 days. The eSIM has a French phone number, and it’s a good option if you’re going to be traveling to other countries as well.
In addition to the free calls and texts in Europe, this eSIM card also provides customers with 120 minutes of free calls to worldwide numbers and 1000 free texts. The initial credit you get is valid for two weeks – after that period, you must purchase an additional plan to keep using the card.
The eSIM alone is valid for up to six months, but you will have to register it on Orange’s official website if you want to keep using it after the first month.
Their prepaid eSIM plan is 40 Euros, which is a bit pricey considering it’s valid only for two weeks. Unless you’re specifically looking for prepaid sim cards that will work in multiple European countries, this data plan just isn’t worth it.
Pros
- Calls & texts included
- Available for long periods
Cons
- Not the cheapest
Nomad
If you want a cheap eSIM for Spain, Nomad is the way to go.
They offer four different data plans
- 1 GB/7 days for $6 ($6 per GB)
- 3 GB/30 days for $12 ($4 per GB)
- 5 GB/30 days for $13 ($2.6 per GB)
- 10 GB/30 days for $12 ($2.5 per GB)
These eSim packages are extremely affordable, but it’s still not cheaper than Airalo’s most affordable data plan.
You can also add value packs of 5 and 10 GB to any plan you select, so it’s easy to get a data allowance that’s a good fit for your needs.
Nomad charges $17 for an additional 5GB of data and $26 for 10 GB, but the data will be valid for up to 30 days. The main downside of Nomad is that they’re operating through Vodafone, which is only the third largest network operator in the country.
There is always the option to use their Europe eSIm packages too, if you plan on traveling outside of Spain. They have decent options for 25 countries, which rival the prices you see above.
Pros
- Decent prices for packages
- Options including Europe Regional
Cons
- Not the best provider (Vodaphone)
Orange Holiday Zen eSim
The Orange Holiday Zen eSIM is the cheaper of the two data plans offered by the Spanish mobile operator. It includes unlimited calls and texts from a French phone number, 8 GBs of data, and 30 minutes/200 calls and texts from Europe to worldwide numbers.
This data plan is valid for 2 weeks after it’s first activated, while the card stays active for up to six months. The Holiday Zen prepaid eSIM costs some 20 Euros – it’s not too expensive, but it’s still not a great deal because the international providers just offer better value for your money.
So, unless you need access to a prepaid sim card that’s valid in multiple European countries, be sure to check out some other eSIM data plans first.
Pros
- Calls & texts included
- Multiple countries
Cons
- Not the cheapest option
Ubigi
Ubigi is another popular eSIM provider that operates in many worldwide countries, Spain included. They have three data plans for Spain, as well as a wide variety of regional and multi-country data plans for travelers who never stay in one place for too long.
The Spain eSIM packages are
What I like the most about Ubigi’s data plans is that they’re all valid for 30 days, even the tiny 3 GB one. They’re great value for money, but still not as cheap as Airalo, so keep that in mind.
Their regional and multi-country bundles are a bit more expensive, but totally worth it if you’re going to be hopping from one European country to the next. Also, it’s worth noting that Ubigi eSIMs don’t have a phone number – they only include mobile data, but no access to calls or texts.
Pros
- 30 days for each package
- Regional and country packages
Cons
- No calls or texts
Benefits of Getting an eSIM in Spain
The main benefit of having an eSIM for international travel is easy Internet access. Whether you need to look up directions in Google Maps or you want to be able to FaceTime your friends whenever you want, Internet access is something we start to appreciate only when we’re stranded in a foreign country without any free WiFi networks nearby.
Using public WiFi provided by shops and locales is always an option, but those connections are rarely secure. They’re also unstable and pretty slow, especially when there are dozens (if not hundreds) of other people using them at the same time. Data roaming is an option too, but it’s usually ridiculously expensive and just not worth it.
That’s why you get an eSIM if you want to have internet wherever and whenever. They’re affordable, easy to activate, and even easier to use.
Local Mobile Operators Offering eSIMs in Spain
Orange Spain is the only local operator that offers prepaid eSim data plans, while the other operators only offer postpaid eSIM plans. However, you should know that the local mobile operators won’t issue you an eSim until you’ve provided them with your ID or passport number.
Another thing to note is that you must provide an ID within the first month of activating the eSim; if you don’t, the operator will suspend your card. But if you’re staying in Spain for less than a month, you don’t really have to worry about the eSIM getting suspended so you might be able to get away with not providing them with your personal information.
If you don’t feel comfortable just giving away this information, you can always get an eSim from a global provider that works just fine in Spain. Providers like Airalo and Holafly don’t need any personal information from you (other than payment info), but that’s because their eSim cards are data-only.
Data Needed When Traveling to Spain
How much data do you really need for your travels in Spain? Honestly, that’s a very personal question. Some people barely use a gigabyte of data while they’re traveling, and others can burn through 5 GB before breakfast. It depends on your internet browsing habits, and just how many TikToks and Instagram reels you’re used to watching on a daily basis.
Generally speaking, unlimited data eSIM plans are the best option if you want constant Internet access while you’re in Spain. If you’re fine conserving data and paying attention to how much data you’re using, the limited plans can work just fine.
But how much data is enough? Again, it depends on so many things, but let’s say that 5 GB should be plenty for a week of traveling. If you’re going to use it to check social media, send emails, and look up directions on Google Maps, it really will be plenty. But stream one HD movie on Netflix and you’ll burn through the data in an hour.
If you want to work while you’re in Spain, you should look into unlimited data plans. They’re definitely the best option for digital nomads, but also for travelers who are just used to having access to the internet every moment they’re awake.
Devices Compatible with an eSIM in Spain
Embedded sim cards are extremely convenient, but they’re not widely accessible to everyone. The technology is still being reserved for the most expensive phones, even though it’s been nearly half a decade since it first appeared on the market.
Most newer iPhones support eSIMs – if you have an iPhone that was released in 2018 or later, you’ll be glad to know that it supports an embedded sim and you can buy one while you’re in Spain.
It’s not so simple with Android phones – Samsung’s flagship phones and the Google Pixels all have it, but it’s still not an industry standard. Some manufacturers like Oppo and Motorola have started to include the technology in their devices in the past few years, but most budget and mid-range Android phones still don’t support embedded sim cards.
Also, whether or not your phone supports an eSIM depends on where it was manufactured. Many phones made in China don’t have the technology for eSIM because Chinese mobile networks are against this.
The quickest way to check whether your phone can use an eSim is to dial *#06#. Several identification numbers for your device will pop up and if you see an EID number, it means your phone is compatible with embedded sim cards. If there’s no EID number, unfortunately, you can’t install an eSim on your cell phone.
