When planning a trip to Spain, staying connected is now essential for most travellers. Traditional SIM cards can be a hassle with changing phone plans and purchasing new cards upon arrival.
Enter the eSIM: a modern solution that allows you to activate a cellular plan without needing a physical card. This seamless technology is perfect for travellers visiting Spain who want to hit the ground running.
In this post, we explore the best eSIM cards for travelling to Spain. We’ll look into top providers like Holafly, Orange, Ubigi, Airola, Nomad, and Maya Mobile, each offering unique plans and features to suit different needs. From extensive coverage to competitive pricing and ease of use, we'll dive into the benefits and drawbacks of each provider.
Whether you need unlimited data, easy top-ups, or coverage across multiple European countries, we’ve got you covered.
Understanding what each provider offers will help you make an informed decision, ensuring you stay connected without breaking the bank.
Join us as we navigate the world of eSIMs to help you find the perfect fit for your next Spanish adventure.
The Top eSim Spain Providers
Holafly
Holafly is a prominent Spanish based eSIM provider specialising in offering convenient and reliable mobile connectivity.
Founded with the aim of simplifying international travel, Holafly provides eSIM solutions For Spain that cater to the needs of tourists visiting Spain and other destinations.
Holafly's eSIM plans are designed to offer seamless connectivity without the hassle of physical SIM cards.One of their standout features is unlimited data, ensuring you never run out of internet access during your travels. This is particularly advantageous for heavy data users who rely on their phones for navigation, social media, and streaming.
Their eSIM plans come in various durations, ranging from 5 to 90 days, with pricing starting at around €19 for a 5-day plan. This flexibility allows travellers to choose a plan that best fits the length of their stay.
Holafly's eSIMs are easy to install and activate, with customer support available 24/7 to assist with any issues. The eSIM can be set up in minutes, and users can enjoy high-speed 4G/LTE connectivity throughout Spain.
While convenience and unlimited data are significant advantages, there are a few inconveniences to consider. Holafly’s eSIMs are data-only, meaning they do not support traditional voice calls or SMS. Additionally, while coverage is generally excellent in urban areas, rural areas may experience occasional connectivity issues.
Advantages:
• Holafly's eSIM cards can be purchased and installed effortlessly using a QR code or manual setup.
• They offer eSIM cards for 160 destinations worldwide. Many of their eSIM plans feature unlimited data usage.
• Customer support is available 24/7 in Spanish, English, German, French, Italian, and Japanese.
• Their pricing options are highly flexible to suit different needs.
• Most of their plans offer unlimited data.
• Their dedicated app allows users to monitor data usage and remaining contract days easily
DATA ONLY PLANS: 5 to 90 Days.
PRICING: Starts at around €19 for a 5-day plan.
POPULAR HOLAFLY PLANS:
5 Days - Unlimited Data - €19
15 Days - Unlimited Data - €47
30 Days - Unlimited Data - €69
Saily
What is Saily?
Saily is a global eSIM provider designed for travellers who need seamless connectivity. Offering a wide range of flexible data plans across 190+ countries, Saily ensures hassle-free internet access with quick setup and 24/7 chat support.
Developed by Nord Security
Saily is a product of Nord Security, the company behind NordVPN—one of the world’s leading digital privacy solutions. While VPNs focus on protecting your online privacy across various networks, eSIMs like Saily ensure a secure and reliable internet connection while travelling. Both technologies aim to keep you connected, no matter where you are.
Saily is an innovative eSIM provider designed to keep travellers connected effortlessly. An eSIM, or embedded SIM, is a digital SIM card that eliminates the need for a physical one, allowing users to download and activate it directly on their compatible devices. This means you can set up your mobile data plan before arriving in Spain, ensuring immediate connectivity upon landing.
Advantages of Using Saily
There's no need to search for local SIM cards or deal with language barriers at mobile shops. With Saily, you can select and purchase your desired data plan through their user-friendly app on both iOS and Android platforms. The app lets you choose from various data plans tailored to different needs and durations.
By opting for Saily, travellers can avoid the often exorbitant roaming fees charged by their home carriers. Traditional roaming can lead to unexpected and substantial charges. Still, with Saily's prepaid eSIM plans, you have clear visibility of your data usage and costs, allowing for better travel budget management.
In summary, Saily provides a seamless, cost-effective solution for staying connected in Spain. Its digital eSIM technology offers unparalleled convenience, competitive pricing, and the assurance of avoiding unwanted roaming fees, making it an ideal choice for modern travellers.
Data Plans and Pricing
Saily offers a range of eSIM data plans for travellers visiting Spain, providing flexibility to suit various data needs and durations. The available plans are:
- 1 GB: Valid for 7 days, priced at approximately €3.65.
- 3 GB: Valid for 30 days, priced at approximately €6.40.
- 5 GB: Valid for 30 days, priced at approximately €9.15.
- 10 GB: Valid for 30 days, priced at approximately €14.65.
- 20 GB: Valid for 30 days, priced at approximately €21.10.
Orange Holiday Europe
Orange Holiday Europe is a leading eSIM provider offering extensive coverage and reliable service for travellers in Spain and across Europe.
Orange Holiday Europe’s eSIM plans offer both data and voice services.
Their standard eSIM plan includes 20GB of high-speed 4G/LTE data, unlimited calls and texts within Europe, and 120 minutes of international calls for just €39.99. This plan is valid for 14 days, making it ideal for short trips.
One of the key advantages of Orange Holiday Europe is its comprehensive coverage across multiple European countries, not just Spain.
Setting up the Orange Holiday Europe eSIM is straightforward, and customer support is available to assist with activation and any issues that may arise.
There are a few inconveniences to consider. The data allowance of their 28 day plan, while generous, is limited to 100GB, which might not be sufficient for heavy data users. Additionally, the plan's validity is limited to 14 days, which may not suit longer trips. Recharging the eSIM can also be slightly more complicated compared to other providers.
Overall, Orange Holiday Europe offers a well-rounded eSIM solution with substantial benefits for travellers seeking both data and voice services in Spain and beyond.
DATA & VOICE PLANS: 7 to 28 Days.
PRICING: Starts at around €4.99 for a 7-day plan.
The Orange Holiday Europe eSim 28-day plan costs €49.99 and provides:
• 100GB in Europe in 5G
• Unlimited Calls from Europe to Europe
• 120 Minutes from Europe to the World
• 1000 SMS from Europe to the World
• Data Tethering is allowed and unrestricted.
Ubigi
Ubigi works in a slightly different way to other eSim providers. Unlike traditional models where you would buy a data plan upfront and then activate the eSIM, Ubigi reverses this process. You first install the eSIM for free on their compatible devices, and then add credit based on their data usage needs.
This flexibility allows you to adjust your plans according to your travel itinerary, without committing to a fixed data package beforehand.
Operated by Transatel, a prominent Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) and Mobile Virtual Network Enabler (MVNE) based in France, Ubigi provides global coverage across various continents, including Europe, North America, Asia, and beyond.
While Ubigi offers the convenience of flexible data management and global coverage, potential considerations may include varying data speeds and occasional limitations in network availability.
PRICING: Starts at around €6 for a 30-day plan with a 3GB allowance.
POPULAR PLAN: 30 Days coverage including 50GB allowance costs €34
Airola – Hola Guay
Airola is an emerging eSIM provider known for its user-friendly approach, Airola offers a variety of eSIM plans designed to meet different travel requirements and budgets.
Their plans cover numerous global destinations, making them a versatile option for frequent travellers.
Airola's eSIM plans are straightforward and competitive, with pricing structured to accommodate short-term trips, extended stays, and heavy data users.
Typically, their plans range from 1GB to 10GB of data, with varying durations from a few days to a month. The flexibility in plan options ensures that users can find a suitable package regardless of their data consumption needs.
Additionally, Airola's transparent pricing with no hidden fees makes it easy for travellers to budget their mobile expenses.
The company provides robust customer support to assist with any issues or queries.
Airalo's eSIM cards for Spain, provided by Guay Mobile, utilise the Movistar 4G/LTE network, ensuring reliable connectivity throughout the country. However, as of July 2024, these eSIM cards are not yet compatible with 5G networks.
The Guay Mobile data-only eSIM cards from Airalo do not include a phone number, so they do not support phone calls or SMS services.
An Airalo eSIM card must be installed within one month of purchase, and the credit validity begins as soon as it connects to a supported network for the first time.
There are some inconveniences to consider. Airola's coverage, while extensive, may not be as comprehensive as some of the more established providers. Additionally, users might experience varying data speeds depending on the local network infrastructure of the destination.
Despite these minor drawbacks, Airola remains a solid choice for travellers looking for an easy-to-use, flexible, and cost-effective eSIM solution.
DATA & VOICE PLANS: 7 to 30 Days.
PRICING: Starts at around €4.13 for a 7-day plan with a 1GB allowance.
POPULAR PLAN: 30 Days coverage including 20GB allowance costs €23.85
Nomad
Nomad caters well to international travellers looking for flexible data plans. Founded with the mission to offer convenient and affordable connectivity, Nomad has quickly become a popular choice when buying eSim cards for Spain.
omad offers a variety of eSIM plans tailored to different travel needs. Their plans are available for numerous destinations, including Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
For Spain, Nomad provides data plans that range from 1GB to 10GB, with prices starting at arround €5 for 1GB of data, making it suitable for both short-term and longer stays.
These eSIMs are data-only, meaning they do not support voice calls or SMS, which might be a drawback for some users who need a local number for calling or texting.
One of the key advantages of using Nomad is the simplicity of their service. The eSIM can be easily purchased and activated through their user-friendly app, which is available on both iOS and Android platforms. The app also allows users to monitor their data usage and top up as needed. Additionally, Nomad offers 24/7 customer support to assist with any issues that may arise.
However, a potential inconvenience is that Nomad's eSIMs may not support 5G networks in all regions, including Spain, which could be a limitation for users who require the fastest internet speeds available.
Despite this, Nomad's overall service, competitive pricing, and ease of use make it a strong contender in the eSIM market for travellers visiting Spain.
DATA PLANS: 7 to 30 Days.
PRICING: Starts at around €5 for a 7-day plan with a 1GB allowance.
POPULAR PLAN: 30 Days coverage including 20GB allowance costs €21
Maya Mobile
Maya Mobile is a dynamic eSIM provider designed to meet the connectivity needs of travellers worldwide.
Renowned for its flexibility and user-friendly approach, Maya Mobile offers a variety of eSIM plans that cater to different travel requirements and budgets.
Maya Mobile offers a range of eSIM plans with data packages suitable for various durations and usage levels.
Maya work with the big Spanish internet providers Vodafone and Movistar which both have the latest 5G network.
For instance, in Europe, including Spain, they offer plans offering between 5GB to 40GB of data, with prices beginning at around €5 for a 5 day plan with an 3GB allowance.
These plans are designed to cater to both short-term tourists and long-term travellers.
One of the standout features of Maya Mobile is their competitive pricing, which offers excellent value for money compared to traditional roaming charges plus they now offer Unlimited allowance plans from just €19.
The eSIM from Maya Mobile is data-only, meaning it does not support voice calls or SMS, which could be a limitation for travellers needing these services.
However, for data-centric users who primarily rely on internet-based communication apps, this is not a significant drawback.
Activation is straightforward, with the eSIM easily purchased and installed through their intuitive app. The app also provides real-time data usage monitoring and top-up options, ensuring users can manage their data efficiently.
DATA PLANS: 5 to 30 Days.
PRICING: Starts at around €5 for a 5-day plan with a 3GB allowance.
POPULAR PLAN: 15 Day coverage including Unlimited data allowance costs just €44.
» Maya Website.
Why Overseas Data Roaming Plans Aren’t Ideal
Considering using an overseas data roaming plan from your home internet provider? Think again!
Using your data roaming service from your home phone provider while travelling can lead to unexpectedly high costs and unwanted telephone bills.
Most providers charge exorbitant rates for international data usage, often not included in your standard plan. Even brief usage can result in significant charges, as roaming data is typically billed at much higher rates than domestic data.
Moreover, some providers impose additional fees for calls and texts, compounding the cost. Despite promised daily or weekly roaming packages, data speed is often throttled, leading to slow internet connections, frustrating travellers, and making the cost even less justifiable. Hidden fees and complex billing structures can also lead to confusion, resulting in shocking bills upon return.
Most mobile operators severely limit data speeds for overseas roaming, often relegating you to slow 3G speeds even when 4G/LTE is widely available in Spain.
Plus, data roaming can be incredibly expensive, leading to unexpected and hefty charges on your phone bill.
Save yourself the hassle and expense. Opt for an eSIM card or an international prepaid SIM card for your trip to Spain.
Spending a few extra euros will keep you connected 24/7 avoiding the need to constantly hunt for WiFi or borrow a friend's hotspot.
Switching to an international eSIM or prepaid local SIM card offers a cost-effective alternative, providing clarity on data usage and avoiding the financial pitfalls of traditional roaming services.
Where to buy an eSim Card?
Buying an eSIM is convenient and straightforward. You can buy an eSIM directly from mobile network providers, either online or at their physical stores.
Many international eSIM providers like Holafly, Ubigi, and Nomad offer online purchases through their websites.
Travel-specific eSIMs are also available through platforms like Airalo and Maya Mobile, catering to tourists needing short-term plans.
Additionally, some tech retailers and travel agencies sell eSIMs tailored for travellers.
Ensure your device is compatible with eSIM technology before purchasing.
How to install an eSim Card?
Installing an eSIM card is a straightforward process.
Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Check Compatibility: Ensure your device supports eSIM. Most modern smartphones from brands like Apple, Samsung, and Google have this capability.
Purchase an eSIM Plan: Choose a plan from a carrier that offers eSIM services. They will provide you with a QR code or an activation code.
Activate eSIM:
1. iOS Devices: Go to Settings > Cellular > Add Cellular Plan. Scan the QR code provided by your carrier. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup.
2. Android Devices: Navigate to Settings > Network & Internet > Mobile Network > Advanced > Carrier. Tap on Add Carrier and scan the QR code.
3. Manual Entry: If you don’t have a QR code, you can manually enter the eSIM details provided by your carrier.
4. Confirm Activation: Once the eSIM is added, your device should display the new cellular plan in the settings. Ensure it’s active and connected to the network.
5. Switch Between Plans: If you have multiple plans, you can switch between them in the settings.
Installing an eSIM provides flexibility and convenience, allowing you to easily switch carriers without having to remove, replace and set up a physical sim card each time.
