Spain eSIM Guide: Movistar, Orange and the Canary Islands
Spain is well covered by mobile networks, from Madrid and Barcelona to the beach towns of the Costa del Sol. For visitors, the details that matter are the islands, which have their own coverage quirks, the Camino de Santiago, where pilgrims walk for weeks through rural areas, and the small territories next door, Andorra and Gibraltar, which aren't Spain for mobile purposes.
Which networks Spain eSIMs use
Spain's main networks are Movistar, Vodafone, Orange and MasOrange, which was formed in 2024 when Orange Spain merged with MásMóvil (the Orange brand continues). Among the wholesale Spain plans we track:
| Plan type | Networks | Where data exits |
|---|---|---|
| Roaming, two networks | Orange, Movistar (5G) | France, Netherlands or UK |
Two large networks give your phone a fallback in rural areas and on the islands. Data exits outside Spain, so some websites may show another country's version, while maps use GPS and work normally. More on routed plans in what a travel eSIM is.
Coverage
| Area | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Valencia, Málaga | Strong 4G and 5G |
| Madrid and Barcelona metros | Coverage in stations and most tunnels |
| AVE high-speed trains | Mostly covered, with drops in tunnels and remote stretches |
| Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Ibiza, Menorca) | Good in towns and resorts; weaker in the Serra de Tramuntana and on remote coves |
| Canary Islands (Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote) | Good in resorts; gaps in mountains and some national parks such as Teide |
| Pyrenees, Picos de Europa, Sierra Nevada | Good in towns and ski resorts; patchy on trails |
The Canary Islands
The Canaries are part of Spain and of the EU, so Spain and Europe plans normally include them. They sit off the coast of Africa, though, and some plans list them as a special case. If your whole trip is in the Canaries, check the plan mentions them or at least covers Spain without exceptions.
Andorra and Gibraltar
| Place | Why it's different |
|---|---|
| Andorra | Outside the EU with its own operator; often missing from Europe plans |
| Gibraltar | A British territory with its own networks; listed separately on many plans |
Phones near the border can connect to Andorran or Gibraltarian networks by accident, which can stop data on a plan that doesn't include them. In La Línea or near the Pyrenees border, select a Spanish network manually if data stops. Our multi-country guide explains how border connections work.
The Camino de Santiago
Most Camino routes pass through villages with mobile coverage, but there are stretches in Galicia, on the Meseta and in the mountains where signal drops. For pilgrims walking several weeks:
- A plan with a long validity period, or a top-up option, avoids the plan expiring mid-walk.
- Two networks improve coverage in rural Galicia.
- Albergue Wi-Fi is common but often slow when many pilgrims are online at once.
- Download offline maps and accommodation details for the next few stages.
Combining Spain with Portugal or France
Spain is often combined with Portugal or southern France. Portugal is in the EU and on most Europe plans. France is missing from some; see our France guide and the Europe guide for the comparison.
Getting around
Renfe's app shows tickets and live train information, including the AVE. Madrid and Barcelona have good metro systems with contactless options. Ride-hailing apps such as Uber and Cabify operate in major cities, and taxis can be hailed on the street.
How much data you'll need
| Trip | Suggested data |
|---|---|
| 5 days in Barcelona or Madrid | 3 to 5 GB |
| 10 days, Madrid, Andalusia and Barcelona | 8 to 10 GB |
| A week on the beach in the Canaries | 5 GB |
| 5 weeks on the Camino | 15 to 20 GB with a long validity period |
The data guide has per-activity figures.
Setting up and troubleshooting
Install the eSIM at home over Wi-Fi and switch it on after landing at Madrid-Barajas, Barcelona-El Prat or your island airport. Set it as your cellular data line and enable data roaming for it. If there's no service, toggle airplane mode, then select Movistar or Orange manually. The troubleshooting guide covers the rest.
Emergency calls
The European emergency number 112 works throughout Spain, including the islands.
FAQ
Do Spain eSIMs include a Spanish number?
Most travel eSIMs are data-only. Local prepaid SIMs with a Spanish number require your passport.
Does a Spain eSIM work in the Canary Islands?
Usually, yes, as they are part of Spain. Check the plan doesn't list them as an exception.
Will my plan work in Andorra?
Only if Andorra is on the list. Many Europe plans leave it out.
Is there signal on the Camino de Santiago?
On most of the route, yes, especially in villages. Some rural and mountain stretches have gaps.
Why did my data stop near Gibraltar?
Your phone may have connected to a Gibraltar network. Select a Spanish network manually.