Are you planning to travel to Spain and about to order an eSIM for Spain? This is a complete guide with everything you need to know about using an eSIM for traveling to Spain including a comparison of the best Spain eSIMs for 2024.
Don't waste money on high roaming charges, read my recommendation and order a Spain eSIM and get connected in just a couple minutes. Below you will find up to date prices as per October 2024, including all specifications per eSIM and info about EU data roaming.
Also find out where and when to order an eSIM, more info about the network coverage and 4G/5G data speed, answers to the most FAQ about eSIMs, a comparison with local prepaid sim cards and of course links to directly order your eSIM for traveling to Spain on the internet.
Table of Contents
- My recommendation
- Spain eSIM comparison
- What is the cheapest eSIM for Spain?
- Why ordering an eSIM for traveling in Spain
- Where to buy an eSIM for Spain?
- How to activate an eSIM
- When to order an eSIM for Spain?
- Things to know before ordering an eSIM for Spain
- Are eSIMs the best way to stay connected when traveling to Spain?
- eSIMs vs. local prepaid sim cards
Ever since 2012 I am non-stop traveling the world and eventually turned my passion for traveling into a lifestyle and became a full time nomadic travel blogger. That is why I constantly get to a different country and pretty much every week I need to look for a new sim card to stay connected. In 2022 I visited for example 62 different countries and in 2023 I traveled to 34 countries so imagine how many different prepaid and eSIMs I used in the last 2 years.
In the past I used to buy a local prepaid sim card on arrival in every country, but nowadays I mostly use eSIMs to stay connected when traveling abroad.
Traveltomtom also wrote a complete guide for buying a prepaid sim card for tourists in Spain in 2024 if you rather buy a sim card on arrival in Spain or at Madrid Airport or Barcelona Airport.
Find on Traveltomtom more than 200 sim card guides from all over the world: USA, Canada, Turkey, Italy, France, Greece, Germany, Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Europe, Asia, Australia, Egypt, Dubai, international eSIMs and many more.
So next time you are planning your adventure abroad come check out Traveltomtom for the latest prepaid sim card and eSIM advice for your holiday destination.
Some links in this article about the best eSIMs for Spain are affiliate links. If you buy any product after clicking on an affiliate link I will earn a small commission. Don't worry this is at absolutely no extra cost to you!
My recommendation
Traveltomtom rates the following two eSIMs as the best eSIMs for traveling to Spain in 2024.
1. Orange Holiday Europe - $59.90 USD
- 100 GB data
- 5G ready
- Valid in all of Europe
- Unlimited calling + texting in all of Europe
- Valid for 28 days
- Comes with a +33 phone number from France
- Only $0.6 USD per Gigabyte
Click here for more info or to order the Orange eSIM for Spain directly via SimOptions.
The Orange Holiday Europe eSIM gives you 100 GB data + unlimited calling/texting valid in all of Europe of a rate of only $0.6 USD per Gigabyte. The Orange Holiday Europe eSIM is pretty much an eSIM with unlimited data. On top of that this eSIM is 5G ready!
The Orange Holiday World eSIMs are listed as the best sim card for traveling in Europe in 2024.
If you are going on a Europe trip and visiting multiple countries then check out my list of the best prepaid and eSIMs for traveling in Europe or simply order the above Orange eSIM.
2. Jetpac data-only eSIM for Spain - $10 USD
- 10 GB data-only eSIM
- NO calls/sms
- Valid in Spain only
- 5G ready
- Valid for 30 days
- $1 USD per Gigabyte
The Jetpac plans have very good rates even going down below $1 USD per Gigabyte for some plans.
Traveltomtom readers now get an extra 10% off on all Jetpac eSIMs when using the promo code: TOMTOM10 at check out!
Jetpac Spain eSIMs are very simple and standard, but also much cheaper. For those that just need data this is a great eSIM for traveling to Spain.
There are 2 very important things to check before ordering an eSIM for Spain or in general before using an eSIM.
Unlocked phones only
Make sure your phone is unlocked. eSIMs only work in unlocked phones. If you are not sure if your phone is unlocked then contact your mobile internet provider in your home country.
In general phones from Europe, Asia and the Middle East tend to be unlocked. Phones from North America are often locked.
If your smartphone is locked that means it does not allow another prepaid sim card or eSIM to operate in the device. You can easily unlock your phone, but depending on your mobile internet provider you will be charged a fee for unlocking your phone.
eSIM compatible phones only
Second, and equally important: eSIMs only work if your smartphone supports eSIMs, also called eSIM compatible. All newer smartphones support eSIMs. If you are not sure if your phone is eSIM compatible then simply go to Google and type in your mobile phone model in the search bar and ask if it is eSIM compatible. You will get the answer instantly.
If your phone is NOT eSIM compatible then there is no other solution and you can NOT use an eSIM for traveling to Spain.
However, you can still order a sim card for Spain on the internet before your trip. Check out Traveltomtom's complete guide for buying a prepaid sim card in Spain in 2024 or find out everything you need to know about international sim cards for traveling abroad in 2024.
Spain eSIM comparison
It is still not possible to get an eSIM in an Orange, Movistar, Vodafone and Mas Movil store on arrival in Spain. They only provide physical prepaid sim cards for tourists.
But luckily there are multiple website on the internet that sell eSIMs for Spain. Traveltomtom recommends ordering an eSIM for traveling in Spain from Nomad, Airalo, Jetpac, SimOptions, Holafly, etc. one of the well-known eSIM providers that have proven to be reliable operators.
Traveltomtom's favorite eSIM providers for many years already are SimOptions and Airalo, but are they still the cheapest and the best? The competition is fierce...
So before you buy an eSIM first read all my tips below.
SimOptions also offers international prepaid sim cards for Spain. These are pre-activated physical prepaid sim cards and will be delivered to your home address before your trip to Spain and it is plug and play when you arrive in the Spain.
Airalo, Jetpac, Holafly and Nomad only sell eSIMs for Spain.
Jetpac
Jetpac is a fairly new eSIM provider that offers amazing eSIM deals for traveling to Spain. Jetpac has eSIMs for more than 100 countries around the world and often amazing eSIM deals.
Jetpac offers more than eSIMs and that is what makes them stand out from other eSIM providers: free VPN, airport lounges pass, etc.
The Traveltomtom Team tested Jetpac extensively and concluded that no Spain eSIM comparison is complete without Jetpac.
- 1 GB data for 4 days = $1 USD
- 3 GB data for 7 days = $5 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $6 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $10 USD
- 15 GB data for 30 days = $14 USD
- 20 GB data for 30 days = $16 USD
- 30 GB data for 30 days = $21 USD
- 40 GB data for 30 days = $31 USD
Click here for more info or to order a Spain eSIM from Jetpac.
Traveltomtom readers now get an extra 10% off on all Jetpac eSIMs when using the promo code: TOMTOM10 at check out!
The Jetpac eSIMs for Spain go as low as $0.7 USD per Gigabyte. This makes Jetpac among the best value eSIMs for Spain in 2024.
Jetpac eSIMs are also data-only eSIMs and they do not come with a phone number. Incoming and outgoing calls/sms are not supported. Jetpac eSIMs are 5G ready and operate on the Orange, Vodafone and Movistar network in Spain.
Jetpac offers an additional service to its eSIM users: free lounge access if your flight is delayed. However, you have to register your flight before your trip on the Jetpac platform.
On top of that you get a free VPN subscription and can also buy airport lounge passes and fast track passes.
The eSIMs can be installed before traveling to Spain, but only from the first moment it connects to a supported network the eSIM validity of 30 days starts counting. For more info check out the Jetpac website.
SimOptions
SimOptions is a very reliable eSIM provider and Traveltomtom has used SimOptions uncountable times in more than 50 countries around the world. I can totally recommend using SimOptions for ordering your Spain eSIM.
Why using SimOptions? They offer eSIMs including calling and texting. Airalo and Nomad only offer data-only eSIMs.
Here are the data-only SimOptions eSIM plans for Spain:
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $4.90 USD
- 3 GB data for 15 days = $9.90 USD
These data-only eSIMs are provided by SimOptions and are only valid in Spain. Unfortunately they don't specify which mobile network operator in Spain they use. The SimOptions eSIMs are not 5G ready, so the max data speed on these Spain eSIMs from SimOptions is 4G/LTE.
These data-only SimOptions eSIMs for Spain do NOT come with a phone number and they do not offer incoming/outgoing calls or sms. The validity of these eSIMs is 1 year and the credit validity starts instantly after installing the eSIM, even if you are not in Spain.
Click here to order a SimOptions eSIM for Spain.
However, SimOptions has much more eSIMs, so called international eSIMs. These are valid in all over Europe and also come with a phone number and unlimited calling in all of Europe.
- 15 GB data-only for 15 days = $21.90 USD
- 10 GB data-only (5G ready) for 30 days = $22.90 USD
- 20 GB data + unlimited calls for 15 days = $23.90 USD
- 12 GB data + 30 minutes international + unlimited calls/text for 14 days = $29.90 USD
If you are a fan of a lot of data then check out the following eSIMs for Spain/Europe that you can order via SimOptions.
- 30 GB data + unlimited calls for 30 days = $44.90 USD
- 30 GB data + 120 minutes international + unlimited calls/text for 14 days = $49.90 USD
- 60 GB data + unlimited calls for 30 days = $51.90 USD
- 100 GB data (5G ready) + 120 minutes international + unlimited calls/text for 28 days = $59.90 USD
Click here to order an international eSIM for Spain directly via SimOptions.
All the above international eSIMs are valid all over Europe and they include free EU data roaming. The best thing about these eSIMs for Spain is that they also include calling and texting and they all come with a phone number.
Some of them support 5G, the other eSIMs only 4G/LTE. These international eSIMs for Spain are also valid for 1 year, but the credit validity starts only when the eSIM connects the first time to a supported network. So you can instal the eSIM even when you are not in Europe yet. For more info check the SimOptions website.
Airalo
Airalo is another very reputable eSIM provider that is very much recommended by Traveltomtom. Ordering your eSIM for Spain through Airalo is done fast and easy. Traveltomtom has used Airalo uncountable times for staying connected when traveling abroad. Very reliable, never an issue and often some of the cheapest eSIM deals.
Why using Airalo? I found out that Airalo has sometimes cheaper eSIM deals compared to SimOptions.
Especially if you only use a little bit of data while traveling and need just 1 or 2 Gigabyte to stay in touch through WhatsApp, check your email and get directions from Google Maps, Airalo is a great eSIM for traveling in Spain.
Here are Spain eSIM plans for 2024 from Airalo:
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $4.5 USD
- 2 GB data for 15 days = $6.5 USD
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $8.5 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $11.5 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $18 USD
- 20 GB data for 30 days = $26 USD
Click here to order an eSIM for Spain from Airalo.
The Airalo eSIMs for Spain from Guay Mobile operate on the Movistar 4G/LTE network in Spain. Unfortunately the Airalo eSIMs for Spain are not 5G ready as of October 2024.
The Guay Mobile data-only eSIMs from airalo do not come with a phone number, so any phone/sms service is NOT supported. An Airalo eSIM has to be installed within 1 month and after activation the credit validity starts when it connects the first time to a supported network. For more info check out the Airalo website.
Nomad
Traveltomtom discovered Nomad eSIMs when looking for the best eSIM deals for traveling to Spain. To test it the Traveltomtom team ordered an eSIM from Nomad and reviewed it. Nomad also has eSIMs from more than 100 countries around the world. Here is our review about Nomad Spain eSIMs.
Nomad has regular plans as well as daily plans for Spain.
Regular plans
Here are the Nomad eSIM plans for Spain:
- 1 GB data for 30 days = $4.5 USD
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $8 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $11.5 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $17 USD
- 15 GB data for 30 days = $27 USD
- 20 GB data for 30 days = $33 USD
Click here to order an eSIM for Spain from Nomad.
The Nomad eSIMs for Spain are from 1GLOBAL and are NOT 5G ready, only 4G/LTE network is supported. 1GLOBAL operates on the Movistar and Vodafone network in Spain. Incoming and outgoing calls/sms are not supported.
The Nomad Spain eSIMs have to be installed on your phone within 30 and after installation its validity starts when it connects for the first time to a supported network in Spain. Basically when the plane lands. For more info check the Nomad website.
Daily plans
Nomad also has daily plans. These eSIMs could perfect for those going on a short trip to Spain. You basically get 1 GB high speed data per 24 hours. Then, after you have used 1 GB data your data speed is reduced to 512 Kbps, which is actually useless, basically like an E signal.
- 1 GB data per day for 1 day = $4 USD
- 1 GB data per day for 3 day = $5 USD
- 1 GB data per day for 5 day = $7 USD
- 1 GB data per day for 7 day = $10 USD
- 1 GB data per day for 10 day = $13 USD
When I saw the prices for these eSIMs I was pleasantly surprised. If you are careful with the amount of Gigabytes you use per day it could be a great eSIM.
Personally, it would not be enough for me as I can easily spend more than 1 GB data in just 1 hour bus or train ride.
Watching TikTok videos for about 60 minutes is about 1 GB data, watching Instagram reels for 45 minutes is also already 1 GB data. It depends how many gigabytes you use per day, but it could be a great eSIM for traveling to Spain.
Click here to order this Nomad daily plan eSIM for Spain from Nomad.
Holafly
Holafly is another well-known eSIM provider but unlike other eSIM providers they only offer eSIMs with unlimited data. However, there is a catch and that is a so-called FUP (Fair Use Policy). More about it later, but it could mean that you suddenly have a very slow data connection for a whole day until the data speed restores.
Here are the Holafly unlimited data eSIM plans for Spain:
- 1 day 'unlimited' data = $6 USD
- 2 days 'unlimited' data = $10 USD
- 3 days 'unlimited' data = $13 USD
- 4 days 'unlimited' data = $16 USD
- 5 days 'unlimited' data = $21 USD
- 6 days 'unlimited' data = $25 USD
- 7 days 'unlimited' data = $29 USD
- 8 days 'unlimited' data = $31 USD
- 9 days 'unlimited' data = $35 USD
- 10 days 'unlimited' data = $37 USD
- 11 days 'unlimited' data = $40 USD
- 14 days 'unlimited' data = $48 USD
- 20 days 'unlimited' data = $64 USD
- 30 days 'unlimited' data = $75 USD
As you can see the Holafly eSIMs are significantly more expensive than Jetpac, Airalo, Nomad and SimOptions. The Holafly eSIMs for Spain are data-only and incoming and outgoing calls/sms are NOT supported. These eSIMs do also not come with a phone number.
According to the Holafly website these Holafly Spain eSIMs operate on the 4G/LTE/5G network of Orange so the Holafly eSIMs are supposedly 5G ready.
You can use a hotspot on the Holafly eSIMs, but it is capped at 500 MB per day.
Why 'unlimited'? Because there is a Fair Use Policy and Traveltomtom has had bad experiences with this in the past. Suddenly your data speed is slowed down for 24 hours because you apparently used too much data. More info later.
If I hate something then it is slow data speed. Therefore Traveltomtom's is not a fan of eSIMs with 'unlimited' data with an FUP and therefore it is not my first recommendation when looking for an eSIM for Spain.
Also, Traveltomtom tested Holafly in another country and was very disappointed with the overall performance. Holafly was using the weakest mobile data network operator in that country and while people all around me constantly had a data connection I was pretty much offline for a whole week. Even when we were in big cities I constantly had to ask for the public WiFi of my hotels, restaurants and bars because my Holafly eSIM was super slow.
I understand it could be a different story in Spain but I was put off a bit.
Nowadays, you can buy an eSIM for pretty much every country in the world. Order directly from one of the above eSIM providers and instantly receive your eSIM in your email.
Why did Traveltomtom already used more than 100s of eSIMs? I told you before that I travel full time and I am on the road constantly which means I use about 40 - 50 different sim cards every year. There is no better sim card specialist than Traveltomtom.
What is the cheapest eSIM for Spain?
The truly cheapest eSIM for Spain is a Jetpac eSIM for just $1 USD. This eSIM is only valid for 4 days though. Another super cheap eSIM for Spain is the Airalo plan with 1 GB data for 7 days for just $4.5 USD. It is only valid in Spain and it does not support calling and texting.
Why ordering an eSIM for traveling in Spain
eSIMs are the easiest way to stay connected when traveling to Spain in 2024 and you can arrange everything online in just a couple clicks. No more visiting a sim card shop and swapping physical sim cards. Order online, scan the QR code, follow the steps and you are connected in less than 2 minutes.
The most important reason to get an eSIM is because we would like to stay connected on our trip to Spain without wasting money on high roaming costs. Our smartphones are pretty useless without a working data connection. Think about ordering a taxi through an app, finding nearby friends, restaurants and bars. Get directions from Google Maps or simply staying in touch with family back home, check your social media apps on long bus rides or your banking apps when paying contactless.
One of the best things about arriving in Spain with an activated eSIM is that you are online as soon as the plane lands. More about when to instal your eSIM later.
There are so many reasons to stay connected when traveling to Spain, but the most important reason is that it makes your trip to Spain so much more convenient and fun!
At the same time we don't want to waste money on high roaming charges. Many mobile internet operators still charge $3 USD per MB for data roaming, that means just opening the Instagram app will already cost you 20 MB * $3 USD = $60 USD! Not kidding… it still is very common in 2024.
eSIMs are the easiest way to avoid high roaming charges!
International data roaming plans
So what about overseas data roaming plans? Well, not recommended! Why? Did you read the small letters at what data speed you can use data roaming? Pretty much all mobile internet operators limit the data speed for overseas data roaming plans, which means you end up with 3G data speed, but there is 4G/LTE in every tourist destination in Spain.
Uncountable times travel friends asked me: “can I use your hotspot? My data roaming plan is so slow, it is barely working!” Trust me, get yourself an eSIM or an international prepaid sim card for traveling to Spain. Spend a couple dollars extra and be connected all the time instead of begging for WiFi or a hotspot from friends.
Where to buy an eSIM for Spain?
Online
You can only buy an eSIM for Spain on the internet through an eSIM provider. There are multiple eSIM providers for Spain. Traveltomtom compared multiple eSIM providers like Roamless, Sim Local, SimOptions, Airalo, Jetpac, Holafly, Nomad and concluded that the above mentioned ones are the best eSIM providers for traveling to Spain in 2024.
On arrival in Spain
When you arrive in Spain and you want to buy an eSIM for tourists then you will have to go to an official retail store of an internet provider. How to locate the nearest one to you hotel? Use Google Maps. Still not all mobile internet operators in Spain offer eSIMs for tourists. Most tourist sim card plans are only available as a physical sim card.
For the best prepaid sim card for tourists in Spain in 2024 click on the link to read my complete guide and comparison of all the mobile internet providers in Spain, including a comparison of the 4G/5G network.
Flying into Spain and landing in Madrid or Barcelona? There are multiple places at both airport to buy a sim card for Spain. However, there are NO eSIMs sold at Barcelona nor at Madrid Airport, only physical prepaid sim cards.
Check out my guides for buying a sim card at Barcelona Airport or my guide for buying a sim card at Madrid Airport.
How to activate an eSIM
Installing and activating an eSIM is made as simple as possible. Everyone can activate an eSIM and the instructions on how to are very detailed and will be send to you instantly by email. But wait, it gets even easier. Just scan the QR code.
When you order an eSIM plan for Spain you instantly receive a summery of your order including a QR-code after the payment is processed.
You will see a summary of your eSIM order including a QR code on your screen and at the same time you will also receive an email with the same QR code. The email contains instructions on how to instal and activate your Spain eSIM.
But installing an activating an eSIM is as easy as scanning the QR code with the same phone where you want to activate the eSIM on. The QR contains all the information about your Spain eSIM.
Once you scan the code you will be guided through a couple simple steps and within less than 1 minute your eSIM is successfully installed.
Very important is that you are connected to the internet when installing your eSIM otherwise you will get an error and issues can occur.
Tip: if you order an eSIM with the same phone where you want to instal the eSIM on then ask a friend or someone nearby to take a photo of the QR code and then you scan the QR code from his/her phone and start the installation.
When to order an eSIM for Spain?
You can order an eSIM for Spain pretty much any time you want. Most eSIMs have to be installed on a phone within 1 month after purchasing, some even within 1 year, so you have time.
More important therefore is when do you instal/activate the eSIM. The validity of some eSIMs start straight after the installation, other eSIMs only start their validity when they connect the first time to a supported network.
Traveltomtom advices to instal your eSIM on the day of departure to Spain. Or if you want to maximise your validity then activate your Spain eSIM on arrival after you connect to the free WiFi of the airport on arrival in Spain. All international airports in Spain have free public WiFi.
How do I know? Traveltomtom also wrote arrival guides for Barcelona Airport and Madrid Airport.
Things to know before ordering an eSIM for Spain
Here are some general tips for using eSIMs when traveling abroad. These tips do not only apply for Spain eSIMs, but are things you have to know before buying an eSIM in general.
Make sure your phone is unlocked
To make sure you didn't miss this, let me say this again: eSIMs only work in UNLOCKED phones. If your phone is unlocked then you can use any eSIM without any problems.
If your phone is locked then ask your mobile internet provider from your home country to unlock your phone before your trip to Spain. It is likely that your mobile internet provider will charge you a fee for unlocking your smartphone.
If you are unable to unlock your phone you can look into getting a pocket WiFi for staying connected when traveling to Spain or better… bring a second unlocked phone on your trip to Spain and use it as a portable WiFi device.
Which smartphones support eSIMs?
Another very important thing you have to check before buying an eSIM is if your smartphone supports eSIMs. If you have any of the latest smartphones then there is no need to worry, all new smartphones of the well known brands support eSIMs.
The fastest way to find out if your phone is eSIM compatible is by asking Google the question: is my (your phone model) eSIM compatible? Simple as that!
Can I trust these eSIM providers?
All the eSIM providers for Spain recommended in this guide are reputable eSIM reviewed and tested by Traveltomtom. All of them are licensed third party companies and resellers that partner or work directly with the mobile internet providers in Spain.
Traveltomtom has used Airalo and SimOptions sim cards now for more than 5 years and never really faced a major issue.
Check out the pros and cons of SimOptions in our article: Honest Review of SimOptions.
The Traveltomtom Team has extensively tested and reviewed Nomad and they have proven to be a reliable eSIM provider. However, some mixed reviews have come back from the Traveltomtom Team about connectivity and activation.
Jetpac is a fairly new eSIM provider, but Traveltomtom only received positive feedback and excellent reviews about the eSIMs and services of Jetpac.
Sim Local has more than 100 sim card shops and kiosks in international airports around the world and has been selling sim cards for tourists for more than 5 years. Read Traveltomtom's honest review about Sim Local eSIM provider.
Since Traveltomtom is not a fan of eSIMs with unlimited data and an FUP I hardly use Holafly, but when I did I was not happy. So now I let the Traveltomtom Team randomly test Holafly and just like myself, mixed reviews have come back. Some positive, some negative.
On top of that there is now also Roamless, an eSIM provider with no data expiration. Truly a game changer!
Traveltomtom does NOT sell Spain eSIMs, Traveltomtom only compares and recommends you to use eSIMs for traveling to Spain.
All eSIM providers have their own Helpdesk which you can contact may you encounter any problems or in case you want to claim a refund.
Can I keep my phone number from home with a Spain eSIM?
Yes, you can and this is for many people a reason to order an eSIM to stay connected when traveling to Spain. An eSIM can be used next to your physical or eSIM from your home country at the same time. You do not need a dual-sim phone for using an eSIM.
So you can have multiple eSIMs installed on your phone? Yes, no problem at all!
For example: you can turn off the mobile data from your sim card from home but still use it for texting and calling. Your new Spain eSIM you can be used at the same time just for data to ensure you are not wasting money on high roaming costs.
If your Spain eSIM also allows you to make phone calls and you want to make a local call in Spain, you simply switch between the sim cards and make a local phone call with your Spain eSIM.
Switching between physical and eSIMs is a matter of turning them on/off in the settings.
Can I make phone calls with a Spain eSIM?
This depends on the type of eSIM that you order. Only the international eSIMs from SimOptions offer calling and texting. All the eSIMs from Nomad, Jetpac, Holafly and Airalo are data-only.
If you want to make phone calls while traveling in Spain Traveltomtom recommends ordering an eSIM for Spain via SimOptions. These international eSIMs are valid in all of Europe and they come with unlimited calling in and to every country in Europe.
Does a Spain eSIM come with a phone number?
This also depends on the type of eSIM that you buy. eSIMs that support calls and sms they come with a phone number. All the international eSIMs you order via SimOptions come with a phone number. The eSIMs from Airalo, Jetpac, Nomad and Holafly are data-only and do not come with a phone number.
In the above Spain eSIM comparison you can find all the specifications per eSIM.
Can I use 5G on a Spain eSIM?
Yes, there are now eSIMs for Spain that support 5G. Unfortunately all the eSIMs you buy via Nomad and Airalo are only 4G/LTE max data speed. SimOptions, Jetpac as well as Holafly have 5G eSIMs for Spain.
In fact, SimOptions offers an amazing eSIM deal for Spain that supports 5G:
This eSIM is valid in all of Europe and therefore not only one of the best eSIMs for traveling in Spain but also rated as one of the best sim cards for traveling to Europe in 2024.
Are there eSIMs for Spain with unlimited data?
Yes, the Holafly eSIMs for Spain include unlimited data. However, Traveltomtom is not a big fan of unlimited data sim cards.
Always ask yourself is unlimited truly unlimited. Is there a catch? If the unlimited data is not on max data speed, then there is a so called FUP. Which means that your data speed will be capped after you used an X amount of Gigabytes.
Holafly is an eSIM provider that sells eSIMs with unlimited data for Spain and uses a so-called Fair Use Policy (FUP). Holafly does NOT specify what the FUP is. Which is very dissatisfying.
Traveltomtom does NOT recommend Spain eSIMs with unlimited data plans with an FUP. On Holafly sim cards I experienced a reduce in data speed after using more than 2 GB per day. After I contacted support they explained me that I had to wait for 24 hours until my data speed was restored to normal.
Those 24 hours were a nightmare as my data speed was barely enough to use WhatsApp. Social media was not even loading!
Especially on days that you have a long bus or train ride and you need a lot of data, you definitely don't want any data speed restrictions that day.
Again, Traveltomtom does NOT recommend eSIMs for Spain with unlimited data. But if you think you will never use more than 2 GB per day, then Holafly might be your favorite eSIM.
However, if you don't use so much data per day then what's the point of an eSIM with unlimited data... is what you have to ask yourself.
Via SimOptions you can order the Orange Holiday Europe eSIM with 100 GB data that is pretty much unlimited already.
There are a lot of different specifications per eSIM. Another reason why I advice you to take a close at my comparison of the best eSIMs for traveling to Spain in 2024 before choosing your favorite.
Are eSIMs the best way to stay connected when traveling to Spain?
eSIMs are the easiest and fastest way to get data on your phone when traveling to Spain, but are they also the best way to stay connected when traveling to Spain?
There are 3 ways to stay connected when traveling to Spain:
- Local prepaid sim cards
- International prepaid sim cards
- eSIMs
Let's compare eSIMs, local prepaid sim cards and international prepaid sim cards, for you to find out what is your preferred way of staying connected.
Local prepaid sim cards
If you use a lot of data then local prepaid sim cards are probably a cheaper way to stay connected, depending on the length of your trip. Local prepaid sim cards often offer bigger data plans than eSIMs. However, local prepaid sim cards can only be purchased on arrival in Spain in a phone store and NOT on the internet.
More info about the best Spain sim cards for tourists can be found in my complete guide for buying a tourist sim card for Spain in 2024.
For example in the link above in my comparison of the best prepaid sim cards for tourist in Spain shows you that a Vodafone prepaid sim card for €10 EUR ($11 USD) will give you 50 GB data in Spain, including 19 GB free EU data roaming.
If this sounds like something you want then on arrival in Spain you will need to find a Vodafone store nearby your hotel. They also sell Vodafone sim cards at Barcelona Airport and Madrid Airport, but at tourist prices that are 5x as much!
The advantage of local prepaid sim cards is that you buy them directly from the mobile internet provider. You get the cheapest prices, (unlimited) local calls & sms included, the biggest data packages and the fastest data speed and 5G ready.
Be aware that that local prepaid sim cards for tourists that you buy in Spain are also NOT all 5G ready, only Vodafone allows prepaid users to use the 5G network. Orange, Movistar and Yoigo only offer 4G/LTE max data speed on prepaid sim cards.
International prepaid sim cards
If your smartphone is not eSIM compatible you can order an international prepaid sim card for traveling to Spain. Some of them are great for using in Spain as well as in all other countries in Europe and you can easily order them online.
Traveltomtom also put together a list of the best sim cards for traveling in Europe in 2024.
A pre-activated physical sim card will be delivered to your home address before your trip. You put this physical sim card in your phone and as soon as the plane touches the ground and the sim card connects to a supported network you are online. Plug and play!
Click here to order an international prepaid sim card for Spain directly online.
The advantage of an international prepaid sim card is they all included calling and texting. Most eSIMs are data-only sim cards.
eSIMs
There are two different eSIMs:
- eSIMs that you buy on the internet through a third party
- eSIMs that you buy in Spain in a mobile internet provider store
The big difference is that eSIMs provided by the local internet operators in Spain: Orange, Vodafone, Movistar and Yoigo can only be purchased at one of their phone stores around Spain.
However, as of October 2024 eSIMs are not available for prepaid tourist sim cards. Traveltomtom personally shopped around to find out if eSIMs were available for tourists. Every store I called in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and Sevilla I got a NO!
This also counts for Barcelona and Madrid Airport. Read all about it in my detailed guides about buying a sim card at Madrid Airport and Barcelona Airport.
eSIMs vs. local prepaid sim cards
Getting an eSIM is the easiest way to stay connected when traveling to Spain, no doubt! You arrange everything online within just a couple click. Right here, right now and you are all set for your trip to Spain. You arrive prepared and there is no need to visit a sim card shop. As soon as the plane lands, you are online.
But what is cheaper? An eSIM or a local prepaid sim card for tourists? When we compare Spain eSIM prices with local prepaid sim cards for Spain Traveltomtom comes to the conclusion that in fact eSIMs for Spain are the cheapest as they already start from just $4.5 USD.
However, if you are a heavy data user local prepaid sim cards are much better value for money as for €10 EUR ($11 USD) you already get 50 GB data, including calls and the use of the 5G network.
After a long flight you just want to go to your hotel and it is often a big task to go to a sim card store and get connected.
Therefore a lot of travelers simply get an eSIM for Spain. Faster, easier and less stress and depending on your needs sometimes even cheaper.
Data speed
Another difference between a local prepaid sim card and an eSIM is that eSIMs are often through a third party, a so called MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator). These MVNO's operate on the network of one of the main mobile internet operators and basically buy bandwidth.
This may sound a little bit too technical, but what it means is that eSIMs through an MVNO are the last ones in line when the line is busy. Especially during peak times, the performance of an eSIMs is less compared to a local prepaid sim card from a mobile internet operator.
Bottomline: the data speed of eSIMs can be less compared to a local prepaid sim card.
I am sure some of the above tips for finding the best eSIM for your trip to Spain were helpful. I hope that after reading through my comparison, tips and tricks it was easier to make a decision and order your eSIM for Spain right away.
If you still have any questions about eSIMs then please leave me a comment below or reach out to me on social media and I am more than happy to help you out.
Curious what it looks like trying to visit every country in the world? Go check out my Instagram account @traveltomtom and follow along. As of October 2024 I have visited more than 155 countries, so still a long way to go.
Enjoy your trip to Spain!