At Passporter we know that eSIM cards are the best option to have internet connection when traveling to Spain or any other country abroad. If you are reading this, you think the same way and you already started your search for the ideal eSIM card for your trip to Spain. You are in the right place. At Passporter we have prepared this post where we share what is the best eSIM travel card for Spain based on our experience.
Below we describe all the options available to have internet in Spain, both with an eSIM and with other less recommended ways such as portable Wi-Fi, SIM cards or roaming, notorious for its very high prices. Currently there are several brands of eSIM cards available in Spain, such as Holafly, Airalo, Truphone, Ubigi and Maya Mobile, however, we can already let you know that our favorite is Holafly’s eSIM because of its unlimited data, its 24/7 customer service in English and other languages, and the flexibility of their data plans.
Are you ready to find your perfect travel eSIM card for Spain? Then read on and we’ll tell you all about it.
Comparison of eSIMs for a trip to Spain
When comparing different eSIM brands we must take into account all the features that will determine if the card fits the needs of our trip. That’s why we have prepared this table with all the essential information about each brand to help you choose. Later on we will elaborate on all the important aspects so that you don’t miss any information.
| Brand | Plan duration | Data sharing | Unlimited data | App | GB per plan | Support | Price | Trustpilot | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holafly | 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 60 and 90 days | No | Yes | Yes | Unlimited data on all plans | In English and other languages, direct chat and WhatsApp | 19€ -99€ | 4,6 | 4 |
| Airalo | 7, 15 and 30 days | Yes | No | Yes | 1GB, 2GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB and 20GB | In English, via a bot | 4,5$ – 26$ | 3,9 | 3,8 |
| Maya Mobile | 30 days | Yes | No | Yes | 1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB | In English, via a bot | 5€ – 46€ | 4,4 | 3,2 |
| Ubigi | 30 days | Yes | No | Yes | 3GB, 10GB, 50GB | In English, via email or the App | 9€ – 69€ | 1,9 | 4,1 |
| Truphone | 1 and 30 days | Only some devices | No | Yes | 500MB, 1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB and 20GB | In English via chat | 5$ – 35$ | 3,1 | 3,8 |
1. Holafly, eSIM with unlimited data and 24/7 customer support for Spain
| Advantages | They offer data packages by continent and by country. Holafly’s eSIM cards are easy to purchase and install with QR code or manually. They have eSIM cards for 160 destinations. Most of their eSIM plans have unlimited data. 24/7 technical support in Spanish, English, German, French, Italian, and Japanese. Very flexible pricing. They have unlimited data plans. It has an App where you can check the consumption and the remaining days of the contract. |
| Inconveniences | Their eSIM cards do not include calls or sms. Holafly’s eSIM card for Spain does not allow data sharing. It is not possible to do the installation through their App. |
Holafly is a Spanish company with offices around the world and more than 100 employees. They offer eSIM cards with unlimited data for those who want to travel without worrying about running out of internet. In addition, the brand offers a 24/7 customer service in Spanish, English, German, French, Italian and Japanese that responds in less than a minute by chat or WhatsApp. And currently it is the company with the best customer rating on Trustpilot with a score of 4.6.
On their website you can find 8 unlimited data plans with various duration periods between 5 and 90 days. The price ranges from €19 to €99. The brand also provides customers with eSIM plans for 32 countries in Europe, so you can move from one country to another without having to install a new eSIM.
| Data plan | Price in Euros | Price in Dollars | Price in Mexican Pesos |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 days – unlimited data | 19€ | 19$ | $339 |
| 7 days – unlimited data | 27€ | 27$ | $517 |
| 10 days – unlimited data | 34€ | 34$ | $699 |
| 15 days – unlimited data | 47€ | 47$ | $899 |
| 20 days – unlimited data | 57€ | 54$ | $1199 |
| 30 days – unlimited data | 69€ | 64$ | $1399 |
| 60 days – unlimited data | 87€ | 84$ | $1699 |
| 90 days – unlimited data | 99€ | 99$ | $1999 |
The Holafly eSIM cards can be installed easily by scanning the QR code that you will receive by email once you have completed the purchase. The installation can also be done manually without the need for a computer, simply writing a code in the settings of your mobile that you can consult in the mail or in your App, which is very convenient to control the duration of the data plan.
After testing Holafly’s eSIM cards we can say that they are one of the most expensive options on the market, but in the end they pay off because you will not have to recharge again because you will never run out of data. Here we share with you this ranking where we evaluate from 1 to 5 all the features of the Holafly’s eSIM cards for Spain based on our experience.
| Data | Duration | Support | Price | App | Speed | Data Sharing | Currencies | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4,8 | 4,5 | 4,8 | 3,5 | 3,5 | 4,8 | 0 | 4,5 | 4,4 |
In this post you can read about our experience with Holafly eSIM cards and some users’ opinions: Our review of Holafly eSIM: is it worth it?.
2. Airalo and their cheap data plans
| Advantages | They offer regional, country or global data packages. Airalo eSIM cards are easy to purchase and install. It is one of the cheapest brands in the market. They offer a wide variety of eSIM cards with different duration, price and gigabytes. They have eSIM cards for 190 countries. Their eSIM card allows you to share data with other devices. They allow you to recharge the eSIM. They have an App and you can buy and install the eSIM from it. |
| Inconveniences | Gigabytes are limited to 20GB or less and do not have unlimited data cards. Short-term plans have very limited gigabytes. Their eSIM cards do not include calls and sms. The duration of the data plans is limited to 7, 15 and 30 days. Their services and technical support is exclusively in English and takes a long time to respond. |
This company, founded in Singapore in 2019 by Turkish entrepreneurs Abraham Burak and Ahmet Bahadir Özdemir, was one of the first to offer these services, and has a wide coverage of countries where they offer eSIM cards.
Although Airalo is one of the cheapest brands on the market, the truth is that in the long run it can get expensive as their data plans have very limited gigabytes that can run out at any time, and their customer service takes a long time to respond.
Airalo’s eSIM card data plans for Spain have durations of 7, 15 and 30 days, and prices range from $4.5 to $26. The brand has an App where you can buy and install the eSIM, and later recharge it when you run out of data.
| Data plan | Price in U.S. Dollars |
|---|---|
| 7 days – 1 GB | 4,5$ |
| 15 days – 2 GB | 6,5$ |
| 30 days – 3 GB | 8,5$ |
| 30 days – 5 GB | 11,5$ |
| 30 days – 10 GB | 18$ |
| 60 days – 20 GB | 26$ |
On Airalo’s website you can choose from 6 data plans between 1GB and 30GB. We compared customer reviews and opinions on Trustpilot and found that Airalo has one of the lowest scores with 3.7. Here you can find the ranking for each aspect of Airalo and in this post you can also read about our opinion of the brand: Our review of Airalo eSIM: is it worth it?
| Data | Duration | Support | Price | App | Speed | Data Sharing | Currencies | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 3 | 4.5 | 4 | 4 | 4,5 | 3 | 3,8 |
3. Truphone and their App
| Advantages | They offer regional, country or global data packages. Truphone eSIM cards are easy to purchase and install in your App. They have eSIM cards for 188 countries. 24/7 customer support both in the app and on the web. Very affordable prices. You can recharge data from the App. No need to scan QR code. Data sharing is only available on some devices. They offer data plans for Apple Watch. They offer 100 MB free trial for 1 day. |
| Inconveniences | Gigabytes are limited to 20GB, they do not have unlimited data cards. Short-term plans have very limited gigabytes (1GB). Cannot be purchased on the web, only from mobile phone. The duration of data plans is limited to 1 or 30 days. Their services and customer support are exclusively in English. |
Truphone is a UK company that offers eSIM cards to connect to the internet in over 160 countries. It was a pioneer in the industry and the first global operator to launch eSIM for iPad, Apple Watch and Google Pixel devices. In addition, it has been a technology partner of Apple since 2016, which gives it a great competitive advantage and makes it easier to install eSIMs on their devices.
For Spain the brand offers 6 plans with durations of 1 or 30 days, and a data limit ranging from 100MB to 20GB. The 100MB plan has a duration of one day and is free, so you can try their product. The problem with this brand is that their data plans have very few gigabytes (maximum 20GB) and this means that you can run out of internet in the middle of your trip.
| Data plan | Price in Euros | Price in Dollars | Price in Pounds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 day – 100 MB | 0€ | 0$ | 0£ |
| 1 day – 1 GB | 5€ | 5$ | 5£ |
| 30 days – 3 GB | 9€ | 9$ | 9£ |
| 30 days – 5 GB | 13€ | 13$ | 12£ |
| 30 days – 10 GB | 20€ | 20$ | 18£ |
| 30 days – 20 GB | 35€ | 35$ | 32£ |
Although on the website you can check the data plans and all the details about their eSIMs, to buy the eSIM card you will need to download the mobile application. Once downloaded, you will need to create an account filling in your details directly or through Google or Facebook. You can then choose the country and data plan you need for your trip and pay securely. A great advantage of the App is that it detects if your phone is compatible with the eSIM before allowing you to complete the purchase.
The installation and activation processes are done through the App, so you won’t need to scan any QR codes. Just keep in mind that you will need internet to perform the operation.
If you go to Trustpilot you can see that Truphone has over 100 reviews and a score of 1.9, one of the lowest among eSIM card providers. We have also rated the Truphone eSIM card based on our experience and these are our conclusions.
| Data | Duration | Support | Price | App | Speed | Data Sharing | Currencies | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3,5 | 3,5 | 4 | 3,5 | 4,5 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 3,8 |
If you want to know more about our experience with Truphone eSIM cards and the opinions of other users visit this post: Our review of Truphone eSIM: is it worth it?
4. Ubigi and their eSIM cards for smart cars
| Andvantages | They offer regional, country or global data packages. Ubigi eSIM cards are easy to purchase and install via the web or App. Ubigi’s eSIM is installed for free from the App. They have eSIM cards for 190 destinations. 24/7 real time technical support. They offer eSIM cards for smart cars. Their eSIM cards allow data sharing. You can recharge the eSIM card from the App. |
| Inconveniences | The gigabytes are limited to 3GB or less and do not have unlimited data plans. Their eSIMs do not include calls or SMS. They only have 2 plans of 30 days. Their support service is exclusively in English. |
Ubigi is a provider of eSIM cards a bit different than the rest of the data plan companies for traveling abroad. While with other brands you have to choose and buy the plan and then proceed to install the eSIM, with Ubigi it’s the other way around. First you can install the eSIM for free and then add credit depending on the gigabytes you are going to use. You can pay in dollars, euros, pounds and yen.
On their website and App you can see only 3 data plans of 3GB, 10GB and 50GB with a duration of 30 days. This aspect is quite limiting if we go on a short trip. In addition, the data is really limited and you will most likely run out and have to recharge the eSIM again.
They also offer global data plans, for all of Europe or for the Iberian Peninsula, which include both Spain and Portugal.
| Data plan | Price in U.S. Dollars | Price in Euros | Price in Pounds | Price in Yens |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 days – 3 GB | 9$ | 9€ | 8£ | 1300¥ |
| 30 days – 10 GB | 18$ | 18€ | 16£ | 2600¥ |
| 30 days – 50 GB | 69$ | 69€ | 60£ | 9700¥ |
Luckily, their App works very welland in addition to buying the eSIM from there, you can install and recharge it if necessary. Also, Ubigi’s eSIMs allow for data sharing with other devices
A curious thing about Ubigi eSIM cards is that they also work in cars with internet. Some models of Jaguar, Fiat, Land Rover, Alfa Romeo or Jeep already incorporate this technology.
In this table you can see how we evaluate each feature of Ubigi’s eSIM cards. And if you want to know our opinion about Ubigi eSIMs, check out this post: Our review of Ubigi eSIM: is it worth it?
| Data | Duration | Support | Price | App | Speed | Data Sharing | Currencies | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 3,5 | 4 | 4 | 4,5 | 4 | 4,5 | 4,8 | 4,1 |
5. Maya Mobile, 30-day data plans
| Advantages | They offer data packages by continents and countries. Maya Mobile eSIM cards are easy to purchase and install with a QR code or manually. They have eSIM cards for 194 destinations. Data plans limited to 1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB, which can run out quickly. Flexible pricing. They have unlimited data plans. Possibility of internet sharing. Rechargeable after 30 days. |
| Inconveniences | Their eSIM cards do not include calls or sms. They do not have an App. The unlimited data plan has a 5Mbps limit. Technical support in English via a bot. They only have data plans for 30 days. |
This company offers eSIM cards for 30 days in Spain. In this case, the price of the data packages varies depending on the gigabytes. In total they have 4 packages of 1, 3, 5 and 10 gigabytes, and another with unlimited gigabytes. The unlimited data plan is relative as the maximum browsing speed is 5Mbps and after having used 30GB of the plan, it drops to 1Mbps. The price ranges from 5€ to 46€.
Like Holafly, Maya Mobile is characterized by the speed and simplicity of its contracting and installation process, which is also done with a QR code that you receive via email. In addition, they have a 100% refund policy of the purchase in case the data does not work, which is not common because they have a minimum of two data providers in each country where they offer their services.
Maya Mobile also offers a Europe-wide plan that includes 30 countries and has unlimited data (with maximum speed of 5Mbps dropping to 1Mbps).
| Data plan | Price in Euros |
|---|---|
| 30 days – 1 GB | 5€ |
| 30 days – 3 GB | 7€ |
| 30 days – 5 GB | 10€ |
| 30 days – 10 GB | 17€ |
| 30 days – unlimited data* | 46€ |
In the case of Maya Mobile we consider it a disadvantage their plans being very inflexible and only having a duration of 30 days. In Trustpilot you can see that the brand has an average score of 4.4, but there are hardly any comments. Here is the table with the score for each of the features of their eSIM cards.
| Data | Duration | Support | Price | App | Speed | Data Sharing | Currencies | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 4,5 | 4,5 | 3 | 3,2 |
Conclusion: what is the best eSIM for Spain
There are many important factors to take into account when comparing eSIM cards, so we have prepared this section where we share our experience on which eSIM card is best for each type of travel in Spain
When we travel we don’t want to run out of data in the middle of our vacation, so eSIM cards with unlimited data are the best option. In this case, the only brands offering unlimited eSIM data are Holafly and Ubigi, but as we have seen, Ubigi’s unlimited data is not real.
With some companies like Ubigi or Truphone you can top up the eSIM already installed via their website or App, but the best thing is not having to pay again if you run out of data.
We know it can be tricky to calculate the gigabytes you’ll need during your trip, so we’ve prepared this table to help you make an estimate if you end up choosing an eSIM card with a data limit, which we don’t recommend.
| Plataform | Gigabyte consumption per hour |
| 0,12GB – 0,18 GB | |
| 0,12GB – 0,18 GB | |
| 0,06 GB | |
| Tiktok | 0,18 GB – 0,8 GB |
| Netflix | 0,3GB – 7GB |
| Youtube | 0,14GB – 1,7 GB |
| Amazon Prime | 0,8GB – 6GB |
The installation process of eSIM cards is always simple and fast, but it is true that there are some companies that make it even easier. The first thing is to check if your smartphone is compatible with the eSIM of the brand. This information you can check on the website of each provider. In the case of Truphone, the App itself will tell you if your phone is compatible when you download it.
The purchase of the eSIM for Spain can be done on the web for some brands such as Holafly, or through the app like Truphone or Ubigi. Both methods are simple and fast.
The only brand that allows you to do the installation through the App is Truphone, and in the case of Holafly, in the App you can get the code to install the eSIM manually without using a computer. You can also perform the installation by scanning a QR code that you will receive by email as soon as you complete the purchase with Holafly or Maya Mobile.
On the other hand, it is very important to consider the customer service to help you in the installation process and solve any doubt or problem. Most brands such as Maya Mobile or Truphone have a chat bot that takes a long time to respond and only does so in English. In the case of SimOptions, technical support will depend on the brand of eSIM card you have chosen. In this regard Holafly’s customer support is the best as they respond in less than 1 minute in Spanish, English, German, French, Italian and Japanese through the web chat or WhatsApp, where a conversation is opened automatically after purchase.
One of the most important aspects is price. The cheapest brands are Maya Mobile and Airalo, however, their data plans are very limited and you’re likely to run out and have to pay again. That’s why it’s often recommended to pay a little more and get an eSIM card with unlimited data like Holafly’s for peace of mind and no need to recharge again.
All in all, Holafly eSIM cards are the best choice for traveling to Spain for their unlimited data and multilingual customer support that responds in less than a minute. Also, their plans are really flexible and adjust to all types of trips. With Holafly you will never run out of data on your trip.
Other options to have internet o your trip to Spain
Although eSIM cards are the best option to have internet in Spain because of all the advantages and conveniences they offer, there are also other alternatives like the ones we describe below. For now, here we present this table with all the reasons why we prefer to use travel eSIM cards rather than other options.
| Convenience | Immediate delivery and activation upon purchase. Purchase prior to travel. Easy installation; unlike SIM cards, there is no need to remove the original card. You’ll be connected as soon as you land, no need to find a store first. You’ll find tailor-made plans to suit the duration and needs of your trip. No need to rely on batteries, as with Pocket wifi. You won’t have to carry an extra device during your trip, like the Pocket Wifi. |
| Peace of mind | You will have 24/7 technical support in English, unlike with a SIM or Pocket Wifi. You will not have to worry about forgetting or losing any device other than your cell phone. |
| Security | You will avoid using public wifi networks vulnerable to hacking. You will avoid entering personal data in endless forms to get Wifi. No need to open or manipulate your mobile phone like with SIM cards. |
1. SIM cards
SIM cards are one of the most widespread options today, but that does not imply that they are the best option because, as we show below, they have several drawbacks.
| Advantages | There are a variety of brands and data plans to choose from. Installation is fast. They can be purchased online or in physical stores. You can make calls and send messages with a local number. |
| Inconveniences | It always replaces your regular SIM, which can be lost or damaged. The cell phone must be opened and handled during the installation process. You have to travel to buy it or wait for the card to be delivered. When the contract of your travel SIM expires, it must be replaced by another one. You will not be able to keep your regular phone number. |
In Spain there are many brands that offer SIM cards, such as O2, Orange, Movistar or Vodafone. The price depends on the gigabytes contracted and the duration of the contract, but more or less usually ranges around 30€ for 15 days.
The advantage of SIMs is that they also include calls and SMS, but as you may know, the installation process requires removing your regular SIM and running the risk of losing it.
SIM cards can be purchased online before you start your trip, at the airport or in official stores in the commercial areas of the destination country.
2. Rent a Pocket WiFi
Another alternative for connecting to the Internet in Spain is to rent a Pocket WiFi, that is, a portable router that you can use to access the Internet wherever you go.
| Advantages | Can be used by several devices at the same time. You can choose the gigabyte package that suits you best. No need to install anything on our cell phones. |
| Inconveniences | It is one of the most expensive options. There are few brands to choose from. Contracts are usually of long duration. In addition to the data plan, you have to pay for rental, insurance and shipping costs. The battery lasts 6 hours maximum. If you use it with more people you have to be in the same room. You have to carry it with you wherever you go and you run the risk of losing it. |
A brand that rents these routers in Spain is Wifivox. On their website you will see that there are 3 plans with 1GB, 5GB and 10GB per day that cost between 5€ and 7€ per day. Their devices allow you to connect up to 5 people, and you decide the length of the contract. Simply book the device online and pick it up at the airport or at any approved pick-up point in Europe.
This option is interesting when we only need internet in a very specific space, for long periods of time or when we travel with more people, since everyone can benefit from the connection and share the expenses.
3. Search for free WiFi networks in Spain
As you can imagine, this is the cheapest option. Who hasn’t spent a couple of hours sitting at a coffee shop table to get WiFi? However, as you may already know, it is also the most frustrating option in most cases. Slow connection, time limit or eternal forms that promise WIFI after you provide all your data.
| Advantages | It is free of charge. There is nothing to install on our cell phones. |
| Inconveniences | It is difficult to find free access wifi networks. Public wifi networks are often slow or give connection problems. You often have to fill in forms and share your personal data. Some free wifi networks have limited time. You have to be near the router to connect. These networks are vulnerable to hacking. |
This is an option that should be used with caution for security reasons. Public WiFi hotspots are very vulnerable to hacks or cyberattacks, providing access to private data. It is therefore recommended to spend as little time as possible connected, use it for specific queries and do not expose your personal data.
These are some places where you can find WiFi on your trip to Spain in case of a need: airports, museums, subway, parks, cafes, restaurants and hotels. There are also APPs that tell you where to find WiFi hotspots, as well as Facebook, which also offers this service.
4. Activate roaming for Spain
One of the options that is losing more and more popularity due to its high costs is roaming, also known as data roaming. It is the simplest option as you can receive calls and connect to the Internet without having to install anything or change your phone number, however, the bills are very high.
Before setting off on a trip, it is recommended to ask your usual carrier about the cost of roaming so that you can compare with other services such as eSIM cards.
If in the end you decide to use another option, remember to turn off data roaming on your cell phones or change the main line in the case of using an eSIM.
| Advantages | There is no need to install anything on our cell phone. There is no need to contract any extra service. You can receive calls, send messages and connect to the internet immediately. |
| Inconveniences | This is the most expensive option. Sometimes it is activated without us realizing it. Not all telephone companies offer this service. |
Frequently asked questions about how to have internet in Spain
Most models of popular brands such as Apple, Samsung, Motorola, Huawei or Google are supported as long as they are recent models. Several iPads are also compatible. However, it is best to consult the website of each provider, where they will indicate all the compatible models.
eSIM cards allow you to have internet on your cell phone when you travel abroad without having to remove your regular SIM card, as is the case with SIM cards. This is possible thanks to a chip that is incorporated in the latest generation of cell phones.
The purchase of the eSIM data plan can be done through the web or the App of some brands. Choose your destination, the duration and the gigabytes of the data plan and pay securely.
The installation and activation of the eSIM is a really easy procedure that will only take a few minutes.
Once you have verified that your cell phone is compatible with the product and chosen the data plan that best suits your needs, go to the mobile data settings on your smartphone and select “add data plan”. Then the camera will open so you can scan the QR code that you will have received in the mail after the purchase. The installation and activation of your card will then begin.
This process must be carried out with an internet connection, so it is recommended to do it before starting the trip or as soon as you arrive at the hotel.
SIM cards can be purchased in physical stores or online, with delivery times ranging from 48 to 72 hours. There are also companies that offer same-day express shipping.
Most carriers offer packages with data limits. Holafly, unlike the rest, offers a wide variety of unlimited data packages.
To activate the eSIM card it is necessary to have internet connection, so it is recommended to do it before starting your trip.
Data packages usually last for weeks or months, however, there are providers such as Holafly that offer more flexible packages between 5 days and 3 months.
Unlimited data plans do not normally allow data sharing, but plans with a specific number of GBs included do.
The data of the unlimited plans is really unlimited. Note in any case that local mobile operators may temporarily reduce the speed if you make a very intensive use of applications such as Netflix or Youtube. These limits are more intended to avoid network saturation by a few users.
Holafly is a Spanish company launched in 2018 that you can trust, it has been tested by more than 400,000 customers, travel blogs and Youtubers. Holafly markets eSIMs since 2019.
Holafly has more than 10,000 positive experiences published on Trustpilot, with an “Excellent” rating and 4.6 average score.
SIM Options has both positive and negative reviews, and an average Trustpilot score lower than Holafly, at 3.8. SIM Options is a Hong Kong-based company.
Maya is owned by a U.S. company, Maya Virtual Inc. Reviews of Maya on Truspilot are good, with an average score of 4.5.
Airalo’s reviews on Truspilot are good, with an average score of 3.9.
Truphone is a UK company and Google technology partner. On Trustpilot they have a score of 3.1.
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