# eSIM for Spain

Viasimo's Spain eSIM starts at $1.29 for 500 MB over 1 day, running on Movistar and Orange with 5G where available. Plans last 1 to 180 days, arrive by email in minutes and install from your phone's settings, with no app.

Canonical page: https://viasimo.com/destinations/spain/

## Spain eSIM prices

| Plan | Data | Days | Price | Price per GB |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 500 MB, 1 day | 500 MB | 1 | $1.29 | $2.64 |
| 1 GB, 1 day | 1 GB | 1 | $1.59 | $1.59 |
| 2 GB, 1 day | 2 GB | 1 | $2.29 | $1.15 |
| 5 GB, 1 day | 5 GB | 1 | $4.00 | $0.80 |
| Unlimited, 3 days | Unlimited | 3 | $6.99 | - |
| Unlimited, 5 days | Unlimited | 5 | $10.99 | - |
| 1 GB, 7 days | 1 GB | 7 | $1.59 | $1.59 |
| Unlimited, 7 days | Unlimited | 7 | $13.99 | - |
| Unlimited, 10 days | Unlimited | 10 | $18.99 | - |
| 2 GB, 15 days | 2 GB | 15 | $3.00 | $1.50 |
| 3 GB, 15 days | 3 GB | 15 | $3.00 | $1.00 |
| Unlimited, 15 days | Unlimited | 15 | $27.99 | - |
| 3 GB, 30 days | 3 GB | 30 | $3.29 | $1.10 |
| 5 GB, 30 days | 5 GB | 30 | $4.59 | $0.92 |
| 10 GB, 30 days | 10 GB | 30 | $8.00 | $0.80 |
| 20 GB, 30 days | 20 GB | 30 | $14.99 | $0.75 |
| 50 GB, 30 days | 50 GB | 30 | $29.99 | $0.60 |
| Unlimited, 30 days | Unlimited | 30 | $50.00 | - |
| Unlimited, 60 days | Unlimited | 60 | $97.99 | - |
| Unlimited, 90 days | Unlimited | 90 | $149.99 | - |
| 50 GB, 180 days | 50 GB | 180 | $37.99 | $0.76 |
| Unlimited, 180 days | Unlimited | 180 | $299.99 | - |

## Which networks does the Spain eSIM use?

- **Movistar**: 5G
- **Orange**: 5G

Your eSIM picks one automatically; you do not choose or switch between them.

The operator list comes from the network partner that carries this eSIM. Verified October 30, 2026.

## eSIM Details

- **Data**: 500 MB – 50 GB or unlimited
- **Validity**: 1–180 days
- **Speed**: 4G LTE / 5G
- **Hotspot / tethering**: Supported on most devices
- **Activation**: Starts when you first connect in your destination
- **Speed management**: Roughly 2-3 GB per day at full speed, sometimes less depending on the local carrier, then reduced
- **Top-ups**: Add more data from your account, before the plan expires
- **Text messages (SMS)**: Data only: use an app for verification codes
- **Unused validity**: 180 days before it must be installed

## Spain: what to know before you land

Source: https://viasimo.com/destinations/spain/#destination-guide · Researched October 2026 by Viasimo

In Spain your eSIM connects to Movistar or Orange, both running 5G. Normally that just works, but the nationwide blackout on 28 April 2025 showed what happens when it doesn't. Mobile traffic collapsed and every Renfe train stopped. Spain's summer heat, flash floods and wildfires also make the AEMET weather service's warnings worth checking on your phone.

### Spain: quick facts

| Fact | Spain |
| --- | --- |
| Emergency number | 112 |
| Main airports | Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD); Josep Tarradellas Barcelona–El Prat Airport (BCN); Málaga–Costa del Sol Airport (AGP); Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI) |
| Plug types | Type C, F (230V) |
| Currency | Euro (EUR) |
| Apps worth having | Renfe, WhatsApp, Cabify, Bolt, Uber |

### Lessons from the April 2025 Iberian blackout

(Spain · https://viasimo.com/destinations/spain/#guide-lessons-from-the-april-2025-iberian-blackout)

At 12:33 on Monday 28 April 2025, the power went out across almost all of mainland Spain and Portugal. Electricity was off for about ten hours in most areas, and longer in some. Mobile networks struggled as masts lost power: internet monitor Netblocks reported network traffic falling to about 17% of normal.

Transport stopped too. Renfe halted all its trains, and around 35,000 passengers had to be rescued from trains and underground systems. Madrid's metro and rail lines were evacuated, and medium- and long-distance trains didn't run again until the next day. Spain had restored nearly all demand by the following morning.

A repeat is unlikely, but the blackout is a good reason to keep a few habits on any Spanish trip:

- Save train tickets, hotel bookings and boarding passes so they open offline, in your wallet app or as screenshots.
- Carry a charged power bank and some cash, as card terminals and cash machines need power and data.
- Download offline maps of the cities you're visiting.
- Agree a meeting point with your travelling companions in case phones stop working.

When power and networks return, expect your phone to take a little while to reconnect, as millions of devices try at once.

### AEMET warnings for heat, flash floods and wildfires

(Spain · https://viasimo.com/destinations/spain/#guide-aemet-warnings-for-heat-flash-floods-and-wildfires)

Spain's state weather agency, **AEMET**, publishes the warnings that matter most for travellers, and the UK Foreign Office advises checking them before and during your trip.

- **Heat:** Extreme temperatures are most likely in summer. Check AEMET's warnings and the Spanish Ministry of Health's heat advice for the region you're in, and plan sightseeing for the cooler parts of the day.
- **Flash floods:** Sudden heavy rain can flood roads, damage property and disrupt trains and flights. Look for AEMET warnings before long drives and follow local authorities' instructions if roads are closed.
- **Wildfires:** Fires are common in summer, including on the Balearic and Canary Islands. Starting one is a crime even if it's accidental, so put cigarettes out properly, don't use barbecues in forests and don't leave bottles behind.

At the beach, learn the flag system. A red flag means you mustn't go in the water. Where there are no lifeguards or flags, ask locally before swimming, and watch for strong currents, especially around the islands.

Call **112** for any emergency. Your eSIM is data only, so call from your home SIM or another phone.

### Carrying ID and protecting your phone at airports and car-hire desks

(Spain · https://viasimo.com/destinations/spain/#guide-carrying-id-and-protecting-your-phone-at-airports-and-car-hire-desks)

Spanish police can ask to see photo ID, and the UK Foreign Office says they may hold you until your identity is confirmed. Ignoring a police request can be a criminal offence. Carry photo ID, and keep a copy of your passport photo page somewhere separate from the original.

Phones are a common target for street thieves. The Foreign Office says they often work in teams and use distraction techniques, and it specifically mentions taking care at airports and when collecting hire cars. Your phone is at most risk when you're distracted, such as at Madrid-Barajas, Barcelona El Prat or Málaga arrivals, at the car-hire desk while you sort paperwork, or at a café table.

Some simple precautions help:

- Don't leave your phone on the counter or a café table.
- Keep valuables split between bags and pockets.
- Turn on your phone's find-my-device feature and make a note of how to lock it remotely.
- Keep your home SIM's PIN set, so a thief can't use it to receive your bank codes.

If your phone is stolen, report it to the police and get a report for your insurer.

### Sources for the Spain guide

- [2025 Iberian Peninsula blackout – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Iberian_Peninsula_blackout)
- [Spain travel advice: safety and security – GOV.UK](https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/spain/safety-and-security)
- [Plug, socket & voltage by country – WorldStandards](https://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plug-voltage-by-country/)

## Seven days in Spain: Madrid, Toledo, Córdoba, Seville and Granada

7-day itinerary · 7 days · Source: https://viasimo.com/destinations/spain/#itinerary

A rail-based week from the capital into Andalusia: two days of Madrid's art and old streets, a day trip to Toledo, then high-speed trains south to Córdoba's Mezquita, two days in Seville and a final day at the Alhambra in Granada.

**When to go:** March to early June and late September to November are best; July and August in Seville and Córdoba regularly pass 40°C, so plan sightseeing for early morning and evening and check AEMET heat warnings.

### Day 1 in Spain: Madrid: Habsburg Madrid and the Royal Palace

- **Base:** Madrid
- **Getting there:** Metro line 8 or the Cercanías train connect Madrid-Barajas Airport with the city centre in about 25–40 minutes.
- **Plan:** Start at the Puerta del Sol and walk to the arcaded Plaza Mayor, then through the old streets of Habsburg Madrid to the Royal Palace and Almudena Cathedral. Watch sunset from the Templo de Debod, an Egyptian temple rebuilt in a park west of the palace. Keep your phone and bag close in busy squares, where pickpockets work in teams.
- **Mobile signal:** Your eSIM connects to Movistar or Orange, both with 5G in central Madrid. The metro has coverage in stations and most tunnels.

### Day 2 in Spain: Madrid: the Prado and Retiro

- **Base:** Madrid
- **Plan:** Spend the morning at the Prado Museum for Velázquez, Goya and El Greco, then walk through the Retiro Park to the Crystal Palace and the boating lake. In the afternoon see Picasso's Guernica at the Reina Sofía museum near Atocha. Spend the evening in the La Latina district, where tapas bars cluster around Cava Baja.
- **Mobile signal:** Strong 5G across the Paseo del Prado and Retiro. Museum interiors can be patchy, so download tickets beforehand.

### Day 3 in Spain: Day trip to Toledo

- **Base:** Madrid
- **Getting there:** About 33 minutes by Avant high-speed train from Madrid-Atocha to Toledo.
- **Plan:** Take the train to Toledo, a hilltop city above a loop of the Tagus river and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit the Gothic cathedral, then the Church of Santo Tomé for El Greco's Burial of the Count of Orgaz. Walk through the old Jewish quarter to the Synagogue of Santa María la Blanca, and end at the Mirador del Valle viewpoint across the river before returning to Madrid.
- **Mobile signal:** Good 4G and 5G in Toledo's old town, with weaker signal in the narrowest lanes. Save your return train ticket so it opens offline.

### Day 4 in Spain: Córdoba: the Mezquita

- **Base:** Córdoba
- **Getting there:** About 1 hour 45 minutes by AVE from Madrid-Atocha.
- **Plan:** Take a morning high-speed train south to Córdoba. Visit the Mosque-Cathedral, the Mezquita, with its forest of red-and-white striped arches and the cathedral built into its centre. Walk the lanes of the Judería to the medieval synagogue and through the flower-filled patios of the old town. Cross the Roman Bridge at sunset and visit the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos and its gardens.
- **Mobile signal:** The high-speed line crosses the Sierra Morena through tunnels, so expect brief signal drops. Córdoba's centre has reliable coverage.

### Day 5 in Spain: Seville: Cathedral and Real Alcázar

- **Base:** Seville
- **Getting there:** About 45 minutes by AVE from Córdoba to Seville-Santa Justa.
- **Plan:** Catch an early train to Seville. Visit the Real Alcázar, the royal palace with its Mudéjar courts and gardens, booked in advance for a timed slot. Next door, see Seville Cathedral, one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in the world, and climb the ramps of the Giralda tower. In the evening wander through the Santa Cruz quarter's narrow lanes and squares.
- **Mobile signal:** Strong 5G across central Seville. In summer, do your outdoor sightseeing early and check AEMET heat warnings on your phone.

### Day 6 in Spain: Seville: Plaza de España and Triana

- **Base:** Seville
- **Plan:** Walk through María Luisa Park to the Plaza de España, the semicircular pavilion built for the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition, with tiled alcoves for each Spanish province. Cross the Guadalquivir to Triana, the old potters' and sailors' district, and visit the Triana market and ceramics workshops. In the evening climb the Setas de Sevilla, the wooden canopy at Plaza de la Encarnación, for sunset views, and catch a flamenco show.
- **Mobile signal:** Reliable 5G throughout the city. Busy evening venues can slow speeds, so buy tickets earlier in the day.

### Day 7 in Spain: Granada: the Alhambra

- **Base:** Granada
- **Getting there:** About 2 hours 30 minutes by train from Seville to Granada; buses also run. Málaga airport is about 1 hour 30 minutes from Granada.
- **Plan:** Travel early to Granada for the Alhambra. Your ticket gives a timed entry to the Nasrid Palaces, so arrive on time with the ID used to book it. Explore the Alcazaba fortress and the Generalife gardens, then walk down to the Albaicín, the old Moorish quarter, for the view of the Alhambra from the Mirador de San Nicolás before flying home from Granada or Málaga.
- **Mobile signal:** Good coverage around the Alhambra and in the Albaicín. Keep your Alhambra ticket saved offline, as queues at the gates can be crowded.

### Staying connected on this Spain route

- Save train tickets and boarding passes so they open offline, a lesson from the April 2025 blackout when networks and trains stopped.
- Book the Alhambra, Real Alcázar and Mezquita online in advance, and carry the ID used for the booking.
- Check AEMET warnings for heat, flash floods and wildfires before long travel days.
- Keep your phone off café tables and car-hire counters, where thieves often strike.

### Sources for the Spain itinerary

- [Spain travel advice: safety and security – GOV.UK](https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/spain/safety-and-security)
- [2025 Iberian Peninsula blackout – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Iberian_Peninsula_blackout)
- [Alhambra and Generalife official tickets – Patronato de la Alhambra](https://tickets.alhambra-patronato.es/en/)
- [Historic City of Toledo – UNESCO World Heritage Centre](https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/379/)

## About this eSIM

Spain rewards travellers who can look things up at short notice: the museum that only sells timed slots, the restaurant that does not open until the evening is well underway, the last cercanías service back along the coast. A Spain eSIM gives you a local data line for all of it, working from the minute you land at Barajas, El Prat, Malaga, Palma or Tenerife, while your usual number carries on taking calls in the background.

### Getting online when you land

The profile goes onto your phone at home, over wifi, as far ahead of the trip as you like. Installing it needs data; using it does not have to happen until you are standing in Spain.

On arrival, enable the line, pick it as your data line, allow data roaming on it if the phone asks, and switch mobile data off on your home line. Two minutes at the gate and you are finished.

That first connection earns its keep immediately. Metro line 8 from Barajas, the Aerobús from El Prat and the Renfe cercanías services from the terminals all run to live times worth checking, and the transport apps expect you to buy before you reach the barrier. If you have booked an apartment rather than a hotel, the door code and check-in instructions are almost certainly sitting in a message thread you need signal to open.

### The networks you'll be on

Coverage here comes from Movistar and Orange. Both carry 4G LTE and 5G where it has been rolled out. Your handset sorts this out for itself and moves on when it needs to.

For everyday use that means solid 4G/LTE almost everywhere you will actually stand, which is plenty for maps, tickets and a video call home from a rooftop in Madrid or Barcelona at an hour when everyone back home is already in bed.

### Where coverage holds, and where it thins

Mainland cities are strong: Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville and Bilbao, plus the Andalusian towns in between, the metro systems and the AVE high-speed corridors, which dip in tunnels and recover quickly. The Mediterranean strip from Alicante and Benidorm down past Malaga is built up and well served.

Thinner ground starts where the population does. The Pyrenees and the Picos de Europa, the higher Sierra Nevada, empty back roads across Extremadura and the Castilian meseta, and the quieter Camino stages where you walk a couple of hours between villages. On the islands, main towns and resort strips on Mallorca, Ibiza and Tenerife are comfortable, while the volcanic interiors and steep northern valleys of the Canary Islands hold dead pockets, and inter-island ferries drop out offshore.

### What you'll actually use data for here

Tickets and time slots dominate. The Alhambra, the Sagrada Família, the Alcázar and the Prado all run on entries booked ahead and carried on your phone, and the queue for people who did not book is its own tourist attraction. Renfe seats work the same way, including the seat and coach number you will forget twice.

Getting around is next: metro and bus apps in the cities, Cabify, Bolt or Uber where they operate, and maps late at night, because Spanish dinner hours mean you are often walking back long after the rest of Europe has gone quiet.

Then ordinary life. Translating a menu chalked up as the day's specials, working out what the waiter meant by media ración, messaging an apartment host on WhatsApp, which is the default channel here for essentially everything, checking whether a shop reopens after the afternoon break, and finding a beach with parking instead of the one everybody else drove to.

### Before you fly

Save your museum and rail bookings so they open without a connection, and screenshot your accommodation address along with the host's number. Apartment blocks with keypad entry are unforgiving if your phone dies on the doorstep.

Download offline maps if mountains or island interiors are on the itinerary. Walking the slopes below Teide or heading up a Pyrenean valley without a cached map makes for a long afternoon.

Watch the battery in summer. Phones left in direct sun on a terrace or a beach towel get hot enough to throttle and shut themselves down, and people blame the network for that far more often than they blame the weather. Keep it shaded, carry a power bank, and disable data roaming on your home line before departure so nothing runs up on it by accident.

## Frequently asked questions

### Does an eSIM work in Spain?

Yes. Your Spain eSIM connects automatically the moment you arrive, with no roaming fees and nothing to set up at the airport. The host networks it can use are Movistar, Orange. Coverage runs on 4G LTE and 5G where the network has rolled it out, and falls back to 4G elsewhere.

### Do I get 5G in Spain?

Yes, where it has been deployed. 5G runs on Movistar, Orange in Spain, and your eSIM uses it automatically on a 5G-capable phone, dropping back to 4G LTE outside covered areas. No country is covered everywhere, so 5G availability varies by location.

### Did mobile phones work during the 2025 Spanish blackout?

Only partly. During the blackout on 28 April 2025, Netblocks reported network traffic falling to about 17% of normal as masts lost power. Renfe stopped all trains, and power was out for about ten hours in most areas. Saving tickets offline and carrying a power bank and some cash is sensible on any trip.

### Where can I check heat and flood warnings in Spain?

Use AEMET, Spain's state weather agency, which issues warnings for extreme heat, heavy rain and other hazards. The UK Foreign Office advises checking AEMET before and during travel, along with the Spanish Ministry of Health's heat advice. Follow local authorities' instructions during floods or wildfires, and call 112 in an emergency.

### Do I need to carry my passport in Spain?

You should carry photo ID. The UK Foreign Office says Spanish police can ask for it and may hold you until your identity is confirmed, and ignoring a police request can be a criminal offence. Keep a copy of your passport photo page separate from the original in case either is lost or stolen.

### Is phone theft common at Spanish airports?

It happens. The UK Foreign Office warns that thieves often work in teams using distraction techniques, and highlights airports and car-hire collection as risky moments. Keep your phone in your hand or a zipped pocket at the hire desk, turn on find-my-device and keep a PIN on your home SIM.

### How much data do I need for 7 days in Spain?

For 7 days in Spain, Viasimo sells 1 GB for $1.59 and unlimited data for $13.99. Our sizing recommendation, not a measurement: maps, messaging and the occasional lookup, about 1 GB a week; maps, social, photos and some browsing, about 3 to 7 GB a week. The data calculator on this site works it out from how you actually use your phone.

## Information and verification

- **Prices and plans**: Every price and allowance on this page is read from the live catalog, not typed in. Verified October 30, 2026.
- **Host networks**: The operator list comes from the network partner that carries this eSIM. Verified October 30, 2026.