Updated · 5 min read
From Barcelona and Madrid to the Costa del Sol, Mallorca and the Canary Islands, you will use maps, taxi and booking apps all day in Spain. Whether a travel eSIM saves you money depends on your home SIM and on where exactly you travel.
Do you need an eSIM for Spain?
With a SIM from an EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway, EU roaming rules apply in Spain, including on the Canary and Balearic Islands, which are part of Spain. Check your operator's fair-use policy for EU data. With a SIM from the UK, Switzerland, the USA, Canada, Turkey, Australia and most other countries, Spain is usually charged as roaming. A travel eSIM gives you a fixed, prepaid pack instead.
Mobile networks in Spain
Spain's main networks are Movistar, MasOrange (Orange and Yoigo), Vodafone and DIGI, which runs its own network and uses Movistar's where it has no coverage. Cities, the coasts and the islands are well covered; mountain areas and the empty interior can have gaps. The plan details on our Spain page show the partner networks of each pack.
Three roaming traps in the south and north
- Gibraltar is outside the EU roaming regulation. A phone that joins a Gibraltar network can be charged as non-EU roaming, even on an EU SIM.
- Andorra is outside EU roaming too. Day trips from Catalonia into Andorra can get expensive on a home SIM.
- On the coast near Tarifa and the Strait of Gibraltar, a phone can join a Moroccan network by accident, as the German motoring club ADAC warns.
Near Gibraltar, Andorra or the Strait, switch off automatic network selection and pick a Spanish network manually.
How much data do I need?
A week of city sightseeing or a beach holiday with maps, messaging and social media usually needs 3–5 GB. Road trips through Andalusia, island hopping or a hotspot for a laptop call for 10–20 GB.
Setup in three steps
- Install the eSIM at home over Wi-Fi before you fly.
- After landing, switch it on and select it for mobile data.
- Turn data roaming on for the eSIM and off for your home SIM.
Plans and current prices are on our Spain eSIM page. Combining Spain with Portugal or France? A regional Europe pack covers several countries on one eSIM; check the country list before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
Does a Spain eSIM work on the Canary Islands and Mallorca?
The Canary and Balearic Islands are part of Spain, so they belong to Spain's mobile networks. The plan details show which networks a pack uses.
Is Gibraltar covered by EU roaming?
No. Gibraltar is outside the EU roaming regulation, so your home operator may charge it separately. Check the country list of your plan before crossing.
Is Andorra covered by EU roaming?
No. Andorra is not part of EU roaming. Check your home tariff or the plan's country list before a trip into Andorra.
Can I keep my WhatsApp number?
Yes. WhatsApp stays linked to your number, not to the SIM you use for data, and calls work over the eSIM's data connection.
When should I install the eSIM?
A day or two before you travel, at home on Wi-Fi. Validity usually starts with the first connection in Spain.