Cell service in Spain

Do you have an unlocked phone? Is it dual-SIM.

If so, there are a lot of eSIM providers to choose from. I've always used Airalo and it's generally always worked well for me.

If you phone is unlocked you should be able to find tons of sim cards, or even eSim - I use Google Fi eSim at home and when we go overseas it just seamlessly connects in a bunch of countries - and I usually just "switch" plans for the month that I will be gone and use the premium plan so we have plenty of data to use for maps, train tix, etc and then swap back to the Flex plan the next month which is a bit cheaper -

Hi mmnafletcher,

• First, check if your phone supports dual SIM (it has two slots to insert two SIM cards). If it does, you can simply buy a SIM card when you arrive in Spain and insert it into the second slot. You'll then be able to choose which SIM to use for calls, texts, WhatsApp, and more—problem solved.

• If your phone doesn't support dual SIM, make sure it's unlocked (as mentioned earlier). If it is, you can swap out your current SIM for a local one once you're in Spain. Temporary SIM cards are easy to find in stores throughout Spanish cities. For info: An unlocked phone is a phone that isn't tied to any specific carrier or network. This means you can use it with SIM cards from different providers—useful when travelling or switching plans. In contrast, a locked phone only works with the carrier it was originally purchased from (e.g., Verizon, Vodafone) unless it's unlocked by them.

• Some phones also support eSIMs—a digital SIM built into the device that lets you activate a mobile plan without a physical card. However, this feature is only available on newer or high-end phones.

Purchasing a SIM card or an eSIM in Spain is straightforward: simply go to any telecoms shop, plenty all over, with your passport and choose (or ask the seller to recommend one).

Lastly, you can always purchase a cheap phone here and get a temporary SIM card. You can purchase a cheap phone for 40€ in any electronics store or mobile phone shop, and a temporary SIM card (in Spanish "SIM de prepago"). The cheapest companies these days for SIM cards are Simyo, DIGI and MASMOVIL. Note coverage works fine for all companies in most places -except very rural areas, then you need to choose your companies carefully.

PS: I am surprised thought you mentioned your carrier does not have international calling options... that's unthinkable here in Europe.

Thank you to all for the super helpful information!
My phone is unlocked and it seems I can have 2 SIM cards- one physical and one e card!
So, that is what I will do! Thanks for making this process easier than I thought it would be!
Spain here we come!!!!

Also, to answer Enric’s wondering- we go through Cricket which is a cheaper cell service so I think that’s why no international option!

Got me curious... Cricket is owned by AT&T, that might explain it.