While living in Spain, it will be necessary to have a Spanish phone number. Just like opening a bank account, getting a Spanish phone number should be one of the first things you do upon arriving in Spain.
You need a Spanish phone number for the following:
- Getting an appointment reservation for bureaucratic processes and filling out application forms.
- Using 2 factor authentication for Spanish websites, accounts, and processes.
- Accessing commonly used apps such as Bizum.
- Making and answering normal phone calls while in Spain.
I’ll guide you through the process of getting a Spanish phone number. It’s not too difficult, and you should be able to do everything in an hour.
- Before you Leave for Spain – Unlock Your Cell Phone
- Upon Arrival – Get a Temporary Phone Plan
- Save Money – Get a Phone Contract
(Requires a NIE, bank account, and address) - Cheap and Convenient Travel Plan
(This can also be used when you first move to Spain)
Step 1: Before You Leave for Spain – Unlock Your Cell Phone
Make sure your phone is unlocked before you go to Spain. If you aren’t sure, call your provider and ask!
The easiest and least expensive way of getting a Spanish phone number is through changing your SIM card for a Spanish SIM card (either electronically or physically). This is a quick and easy process if your phone is unlocked beforehand. It is much more difficult to unlock your phone while in Spain. Do it before leaving!
- Cell-phone unlock: T-Mobile
T-Mobile gives instructions on how to unlock your cell-phone based on your cell-phone’s manufacturer. - Cell-phone unlock: Verizon
In their official policy, Verizon states that their phones automatically unlock 60 days after purchase. Check with your provider to confirm it is unlocked. - Cell-phone unlock: AT&T
AT&T lists the requirements to have your phone unlocked. At the bottom of the page they offer the option to unlock your device and check its unlocked status.
Changing SIM cards and keeping your old one also has the benefit of allowing you to keep and access your old phone number if you so wish. (Although that would entail paying for 2 phone plans – not recommended.) If you are an American, please consider getting Google Voice instead. I’m not sponsored, I just use it myself and find it incredibly useful.
How to keep an American number without an American phone plan: Google Voice
Remember that your phone number isn’t just a line of communication. It’s also used for two factor authentication for things like banking apps and financial accounts that are still connected to your old phone number.
Make sure to get all of your accounts with 2 factor authentication sorted beforehand. That means checking in the guide above if Google Voice is compatible with 2 factor authentification for your needs. Also, if you are going to cancel your old phone number without Google Voice, make the necessary changes to your accounts.
If your phone isn’t eSIM compatible, make sure you are able to remove the SIM card from your phone. Check if you need to purchase a special tool. For my android phone, I am able to open the SIM card slot with a bent paperclip. Other phones might not be so simple.
What about eSIM cards?
An eSIM is a digital SIM that allows you to activate a mobile data plan from your network provider without having to use a physical nano-SIM.
Some modern phones only use an eSIM, but you can still get a Spanish cellular plan (and number) on an eSIM. It can be activated either by eSIM Carrier Activation, eSIM Quick Transfer, or other activation methods. Many carriers also support eSIM activation on prepaid plans which will allow you to use a local phone number without a contract.
Vodafone eSIM Information
(If you plan on using Vodafone, I have a discount code below)
This is just one example of a Spanish provider that can provide you a Spanish phone number and plan using an eSIM.
Step 2: Upon Arrival – Get a Temporary Phone Plan
When you arrive in Spain, you may need to start off with a temporary phone plan. These prepaid plans allow you to get a Spanish phone number as soon as you arrive. They may be a bit more expensive than signing up for a contract, but the prices will still be surprisingly low compared to the rates we pay back home. Regardless, you won’t be able to sign up for a contract until you have a Spanish bank account, a Spanish address, and your TIE or NIE, so the prepaid plan is always your best bet when starting off in Spain.
Spain has 4 main operators for providing phone plans. All of the options are great with reasonable rates and good service. You can easily find physical locations in city centers, at international airports, and throughout Spain.
**Although I have experience with (and highly recommend) Vodafone for their “sin permanencia” contract plan, I have recently heard of issues with their prepaid plan. Texting isn’t included, and getting a prepaid plan makes it difficult to later on switch to a contract. For these reasons, please avoid using their prepaid plan.
Check the links below to decide on which plan and provider works best for you. There is a large variety of options to choose from with varying services and rates. This is a personalized decision based on your cellphone habits, so choose what works best for you.
Prepaid plans and rates:
After you decide on a plan, the process is very simple. Go to the store, request your plan, show proof of ID, take out your old SIM card, and insert the new Spanish one (or have them set up a Spanish eSIM). As long as your phone is unlocked, everything should load quickly and be functional within the hour. As a security measure, many SIM cards have a passcode you need to enter when turning on your phone. It will be given to you by your provider. Don’t forget it, and don’t lose it! Later on once you fulfill the requirements for an actual contract, you can very easily change your plan.
After getting your new number, you can easily change your Whatsapp account to use your new Spanish phone number instead of your old number. It’s a very simple process. Just follow the guide below.
How to Change Your Phone Number (Whatsapp)
Step 3: Save Money – Get a Phone Contract
Before you get a phone contract, you first need to have the following:
Residency Card (TIE) or NIE, Spanish address, Spanish bank account
Once you have all of the required items, it is exactly the same process as getting a prepaid contract to getting a normal phone contract. I highly recommend you get a contract “sin permanencia”. You do not want to be stuck trying to cancel a phone contract when you are trying to leave Spain.
I personally have a phone plan with 25gb, unlimited call and text along with free roaming use in all of Europe and cheap roaming elsewhere for 10 euros a month through Vodafone. I’ve never had issues with connection or service, even while abroad. Furthermore, the price is unbeatable compared to what we pay in the States.
This plan is “sin permanencia”, so I would have no issues cancelling it whenever I want. If you would like to use this plan too (or any other Vodafone plan), please take advantage of the “invite a friend” 25-50 euro reward.
(Vodafone Discount Link for a 25-50 euro reward)
How to qualify for the reward:
Step 1: Click on the above link.
Step 2: Enter your email address or continue with Google. You will be sent to a page notifying you that you will receive an “invite a friend” reward. After about 6 seconds, it will redirect you to their special offers.
Step 3: Scroll down and choose your plan. You can either select a Wi-Fi + phone bundle (Fibra y Movil) plan with a 50 euro reward, or you could select an individual phone plan (Movil) or Wi-Fi plan (Fibra) with a 25 euro reward instead.
Step 4: After selecting your plan, input your personal details.
Once you finalize your purchase and start your plan with Vodafone, you’ll qualify for the reward after being with Vodafone for at least 1 month. It will be sent by either PayPal or a bank transfer. Congratulations!
For those that want to shop and check out the various phone plans, I will link them below:
- Vodafone – Phone Plans
- Orange – Phone Plans
- Movistar – Phone Plans
- Yoigo – Phone Plans
- Lowi – Phone Plans
- O2 – Phone Plans
Cheap and Convenient Travel Plan
eSIM data providers are a great option for those of you who want to avoid paying roaming fees while travelling internationally. This, in turn, allows you to freely use data to connect to the internet and contact friends and family. To use this service, your phone must be eSIM compatible (you can check in the link below). Using a travel plan is quick, easy, and can be done completely online. There are a few scenarios where a travel plan would be right for you:
- You are travelling to Spain and your American phone plan doesn’t cover free international roaming or have reasonable roaming rates.
- You are visiting family in the U.S. and your Spanish phone plan doesn’t cover free roaming in the U.S. or have reasonable roaming rates.
- You are travelling elsewhere in the world and want access to cheap and reliable data.
The process of getting an eSIM data plan is quite simple. In the link below, you can select the country you are travelling to, check if your phone is eSIM compatible, and get your eSIM plan set up in just a few clicks.
Saily – Affordable eSIM data provider
Get a 10% discount when using my link.
Remember that a data plan would not include calling and texting, so make sure to use WhatsApp to contact friends and family. If you took the additional step to port your number and get Google Voice, you would be able to call and text with your ported American number through that application. The recepient would simply receive a normal text or phone call.
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