Use Cell Phone in Spain: How much does it cost? (Guide for travelers)

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Spain is surely one of the best places to visit in Europe. Not only can people enjoy beautiful landscapes, but it is also a country where the passion for football allows many tourists to visit it year by year. Still, there’s a question everyone has, how can I use my cellphone in Spain? 

That’s something we will talk about today, so there’s no need to worry at all. Things are actually simpler than people think, and we will give all the information travelers need to know to make everything easier for you on your trip.

Contents

Can I use my cell phone in Spain?

Using a cellphone in Spain while traveling is a must. People can’t simply forget that they have a cell phone because there are things they probably need to do through their cellphone or experiences they want to share on social media. But, how can people stay connected to Mobile internet in Spain?

There’s nothing to worry about that because there are different ways for people to stay connected. To begin with, the first thing we have to talk about is the networks bands available in Spain for cellular connection. 

TechnologyBands
5G bands5G 3500 (78)
4G bandsB3 (1800 MHz), B7 (2600 MHz), B20 (800 MHz), B42 (3500 MHz)
3G bandsB1 (2100 MHz), B8 (900 MHz), UMTS 2100
2G bandsGSM 900, GSM 1800
Table 1: Network frequencies in Spain. Source: gsmarena.com

What are the options for using a cell phone in Spain?

So far, we have talked only about the network frequencies available in Spain. Up to this point, that’s pretty clear, but there’s another question that frequently comes up. What cellular services can people use in Spain? Let’s talk about them a little more.

Unlimited data eSIM for traveling abroad

To begin with our list, it’s time to talk about International eSIMs. These are basically improved SIM cards for the new generation of cellphones. It is a pretty decent option as it is easy to buy and easy to activate, which saves a lot of time for people. Other than that, the eSIM Spain from Holafly is quite a good option to consider.

The first alternative on our list will be eSIMs for Spain. For those wondering what eSIMs are, these are basically digital SIM cards that people can take wherever they go while traveling worldwide.  

Days of useAmount of dataPrice (USD)
5 Unlimited data$19
15 Unlimited data$47
30Unlimited data$64
90Unlimited data$99
Table 2: Values of Holafly’s eSIM data variants for Spain

Is there other stuff to consider, about the eSIM? Yes, and that’s something we will clear up right now.

Advantages

eSIMs have some pros that make the product one of the most used alternatives among travelers. Take a look at them below!

  • The activation process only requires a QR code.
  • Unlimited data
  • If bought with Holafly, people get 24/7 customer support service.
  • eSIMs won’t change the phone number people have at that moment.
  • It provides access to high-speed 4G connections.

Disadvantages

Does the eSIM have its disadvantages? Actually, it does, but people don’t have to worry much about it.

  • Only work in last-gen devices such as iPhones and Samsung.
  • Doesn’t allow people to send text messages or phone calls.
  • People can’t change the eSIM from one device to another.

International SIM Card

Time to talk about an alternative that has been around for quite some time. Nowadays, International SIM cards have taken over the tourist market as it has become a solution for travelers to stay connected wherever they go.

So, let’s talk about the prices people can find; in this case, we’ll talk about the SIM card Spain from Holafly.

Days of useAmount of Cellular DataPrice (USD)
30 days8GB$39
30 days12GB$49
Table 3: Values of the data variants of Holafly’s Spain SIM card

Time to talk about the pros and cons of this service.

SIM card advantages

As SIM cards are a well-known alternative for people, there aren’t so many things to say. But as this is a travel SIM card, some things are entirely new.

  • The SIM card is easy to activate once people are in Spain.
  • No need to change the WhatsApp number to the one included with the SIM card, keep the one you already have!
  • People can get 24/7 customer support if the SIM card was bought with Holafly.
  • Cheaper than other similar alternatives.
  • Gives a new phone number to people using it.

SIM card negative aspects

Now, let’s talk about the negative side of using a SIM card while being in Spain. Don’t worry; there aren’t many of them.

  • It is a must for people to have an open-band device.
  • Cellular data might run out before people finish their trip.

Pocket WiFi for Spain

An old alternative for people who are still traveling worldwide is the Pocket WiFi device. These devices were the main method for people to communicate in the past alongside roaming, but that has changed in previous years.

People can still use them now, but this service is a bit too expensive. This, along with the penalties charged by companies to users who lose a device, makes it a not-so-attractive alternative.

Free WiFi in Spain

Spain is a place where people can find many places with free WiFi connections. This is something normal due to the government pushing on towards nationwide connectivity.

Therefore, finding a free WIFi might be easy to do in squares, hotels, and even restaurants. So, if you want to do this, you can use an app such as Avast Wi-Fi Finder, WinMan, or WiFi Map to help you out. 

Can I use my phone service in Spain?

As a matter of fact, yes. People can still use their local phone service while being there, but it can end up being a lot more expensive for people. Roaming service in Spain is a good option, but it is not the cheapest on our list.

Today, we will focus on talking about two different options. One of the options will be T-Mobile while the other is Vodafone, so let’s see what can we expect from them.

Using my cell phone in Spain with T-Mobile

T-Mobile is a famous service in the United States. People can sign up for different plans with them, and these plans can also work while traveling worldwide. It is a suitable alternative for travelers who want to save some money.

To be exact, T-Mobile has three different plans, each one of them with its own benefits. Also, it is fair to say that each one has a different price from the other, which is totally normal.

These three plans are the Magenta, Magenta Plus, and Essentials, and people can get them from 29 to 47 USD.

Using my cell phone in Spain with Vodafone

Another alternative for people to use is Vodafone. In this particular case, we are talking about a service that is mostly available to people living in Europe.

In most cases, the service can end up being free depending on where people are going to travel, or they can pay 7 USD per day to access the roaming service.

Local cellular operators in Spain

Just like it happens in many other places, people living in Spain have access to different cellular operators, plans and services. In this particular case, the services offered there are mostly focused on locals, so gaining access to these services as a foreigner can be something of a difficult task. Still, people can give them a try if they’d like to.

How much does it cost to use my cell phone in Spain?

Up to this point, we have talked about different things. Prices, advantages, and disadvantages, which service is better and more. We also talked about prices, but that’s something that people can easily forget, so let’s refresh our memory with a chart with all the prices of the available services to travel to Spain.

Service Internet tariff in Spain
eSIM card SpainUnlimited data for 30 days for 64 USD
SIM card Spain12GB for 30 days for 44 USD
T-Mobile roaming in SpainFree access with plans from 29 to 47 USD
Vodafone Roaming in Spain7 USD per day depending on the destination
Pocket WiFi for SpainFrom 50 to 100 USD for a week of usage.
Public WiFi in SpainFree
Table 4. Rates of the different options to connect to the internet in Spain

If you think that everything we said here is important, then you can save it for your future trips. It might not be the same info everywhere you go, but it will help you to make a choice on which service you can use. 

Remember that for now, Holafly is one of the best alternatives to stay connected. So, if you are planning to go to Spain soon, this can help you a lot! 

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