In Spain, tickets to the Sagrada Família, the Prado and the Alhambra are bought and shown on your phone, and intercity trains are booked online. Mobile data is part of the trip, not a luxury.
Networks and coverage
The largest networks are Movistar, Vodafone and Orange. Cities, the Costa Brava and Costa del Sol, the Balearic and Canary Islands have excellent coverage, including 5G.
eSIM, local SIM or roaming
A local SIM is bought on arrival, roaming without a package is expensive, while an eSIM takes a minute to buy from home: the QR code arrives instantly and your main number stays on for calls and texts. Worth knowing in Spain:
- Many sights only admit visitors with timed e-tickets.
- Also going to France, Italy or Portugal? One regional “Europe” eSIM covers the whole trip.
- Cafés usually have Wi-Fi, but in the metro and on the street you need mobile data.
How to prepare before you fly
- Check eSIM support: dial
*#06#— if you see an EID line, you're good. - Install the eSIM at home over Wi-Fi. For most plans the clock starts at the first connection abroad; the exact rule is on the plan card.
- Set the eSIM as your mobile data line and turn on data roaming for it.
- Turn off data roaming on your main SIM so it doesn't spend money.
Step by step, with videos: How to install an eSIM on iPhone and Android.
Trip tips
- Keep Renfe train tickets in the app.
- In Barcelona and Madrid, FreeNow, Cabify and Uber work for taxis.
- Save museum e-tickets in advance — the signal at the entrance can be poor.
The ALO eSIM app also has a translator and a map: ask for directions, explain yourself at a pharmacy, find a café nearby.