# What Is the Cheapest SIM Card in Spain? (2026) > Best prepaid SIM cards in Spain for 2026: Digi from EUR 5/month, Simyo, Lowi, O2, Pepephone, and the four MNOs Movistar, Vodafone, Orange, and Yoigo compared. Updated: July 2026 · By Jules · URL: https://www.how-to-spain.com/telecom/sim-cards Updated July 2026. The cheapest prepaid SIM card in Spain is **[Digi](https://www.digimobil.es) at EUR 5 per month** for **15 GB** with unlimited calls. **[Simyo](https://www.simyo.es)** follows at **EUR 7 for 20 GB** on the Orange/MasOrange network, and **[Lowi](https://www.lowi.es)** at **EUR 8 for 30 GB** on the **[Vodafone](https://www.vodafone.es)** network. The four network operators, **[Movistar](https://www.movistar.es), Vodafone, [Orange](https://www.orange.es), and [Yoigo](https://www.yoigo.com)**, run their own infrastructure and start from around EUR 10 to 15 per month. All plans compared here include **EU roaming** at no extra cost, and every prepaid SIM requires a **passport or NIE** to register. ## Which SIM Card Providers Are Best for Expats in Spain? Based on price, data allowance, host-network coverage, and ease of registering without full residency, here are the nine leading SIM providers in Spain, ranked by editorial rating. Cheapest Overall ### Digi 25 GB 4.6Digi prepaid SIM on the Movistar network: EUR 5/month for 25 GB, pay-per-use calls, EU roaming included. Why we recommend it: The cheapest standard prepaid SIM in Spain at EUR 5/month with 15 GB data and unlimited calls, no contract required. Best for: Newcomers who want an easy prepaid SIM with no address needed Pros - EUR 5/month for 15 GB - Unlimited calls included - No contract, cancel anytime - eSIM support Cons - Newer operator with a shorter track record in Spain - Customer service mostly online - Own network still rolling out, so it roams on Movistar's network where its coverage is thin [View Digi Plans](https://www.digimobil.es)Best Value ### Lowi 50 GB 4.5Lowi prepaid SIM on the Vodafone network: EUR 8/month for 50 GB, unlimited calls, EU roaming included. Why we recommend it: Vodafone-network coverage at MVNO pricing, EUR 8/month for 30 GB, one of the strongest value-for-coverage picks in Spain. Best for: Newcomers who want an easy prepaid SIM with no address needed Pros - Runs on the Vodafone network - 30 GB for EUR 8/month - No contract, easy online signup - eSIM support Cons - No English-language support - Self-service app has occasional complaints [View Lowi Plans](https://www.lowi.es)Best Customer Service ### Pepephone Movil 150 GB 4.5Pepephone prepaid SIM on the Orange network: EUR 15/month for 150 GB, unlimited calls, EU roaming included. Why we recommend it: The strongest customer-service reputation among Spanish MVNOs, with unlimited data and transparent, no-hidden-fee pricing. Best for: Residents who want strong value on an established network Pros - Unlimited data for EUR 12/month - Best customer-service reputation among MVNOs - Transparent billing, no hidden fees - No contract Cons - Pricier than Digi or Simyo for comparable data - No physical stores - Runs on the MasOrange network [View Pepephone Plans](https://www.pepephone.com)Heavy Data Value ### O2 Movil 50 GB 4.4O2 prepaid SIM on the Movistar network: EUR 7/month for 50 GB, unlimited calls, EU roaming included. Why we recommend it: Movistar-network coverage at a lower price point, with the largest data allowance among the MVNOs at EUR 10/month for 40 GB. Best for: Residents who want strong value on an established network Pros - 40 GB for EUR 10/month - Runs on the Movistar network - Simple mobile-only plans - No contract Cons - Smaller retail footprint than Movistar - No English-language support [View O2 Plans](https://www.o2.es)No-Frills Budget ### Simyo 50 GB 4.3Simyo prepaid SIM on the Orange network: EUR 7.5/month for 50 GB, unlimited calls, EU roaming included. Why we recommend it: A long-running Orange-owned MVNO with simple, predictable prepaid pricing at EUR 7/month for 20 GB. Best for: Newcomers who want an easy prepaid SIM with no address needed Pros - EUR 7/month for 20 GB - Runs on the Orange/MasOrange network - Easy prepaid top-up - No contract Cons - Fewer promotions than Digi or Lowi - No English-language support [View Simyo Plans](https://www.simyo.es)Widest Coverage ### Movistar Prepago 4.2Movistar prepaid SIM on the Movistar network: EUR 15/month for 60 GB, unlimited calls, EU roaming included. Why we recommend it: Spain's incumbent operator with the broadest network reach, including rural areas and the islands, plus full English-language support. Best for: Newcomers who want an easy prepaid SIM with no address needed Pros - Widest overall network coverage in Spain - Strong rural and island coverage - English-language support - Physical stores nationwide Cons - More expensive than MVNOs for similar data - 25 GB for EUR 15/month is a smaller allowance than the cheaper MVNOs [View Movistar Plans](https://www.movistar.es)MasOrange Network ### Orange Go Prepago 4.1Orange prepaid SIM on the Orange network: EUR 10/month for 65 GB, unlimited calls, EU roaming included. Why we recommend it: Access to the large combined MasOrange network at EUR 10/month for 25 GB, with competitive fiber and mobile bundle options. Best for: Newcomers who want an easy prepaid SIM with no address needed Pros - 25 GB for EUR 10/month - Large combined network after the MasOrange merger - Competitive fiber and mobile bundles Cons - No English-language support - Some post-merger brand and support confusion reported [View Orange Plans](https://www.orange.es)Strong 5G ### Vodafone Prepago 4.0Vodafone prepaid SIM on the Vodafone network: EUR 10/month for 90 GB, unlimited calls, EU roaming included. Why we recommend it: Strong 5G rollout in major Spanish cities backed by a wide retail store network and English-language support. Best for: Newcomers who want an easy prepaid SIM with no address needed Pros - Strong 5G in major cities - Wide retail store network - English-language support - International roaming options Cons - EUR 15/month for 20 GB is pricier than MVNOs on the same network - Price increases on renewal are a recurring complaint [View Vodafone Plans](https://www.vodafone.es)Simple Flat Rate ### Yoigo Prepago 4.0Yoigo prepaid SIM on the Yoigo network: EUR 10/month for 25 GB, unlimited calls, EU roaming included. Why we recommend it: The smallest of the four Spanish MNOs, valued for a simple flat-rate plan structure and straightforward billing at EUR 10/month. Best for: Newcomers who want an easy prepaid SIM with no address needed Pros - Simple flat-rate plan structure - Own dedicated 4G/5G network in cities - Straightforward billing Cons - Smaller data allowance than rivals at the same price - Weaker rural coverage than the big three MNOs - No eSIM support [View Yoigo Plans](https://www.yoigo.com) ## What Are the Cheapest Prepaid SIM Plans in Spain? | Rank | Provider | Network | Price | Data | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1 | Digi | Movistar | EUR 5/mo | 25 GB | | 2 | O2 | Movistar | EUR 7/mo | 50 GB | | 3 | Simyo | Orange | EUR 7.5/mo | 50 GB | | 4 | Lowi | Vodafone | EUR 8/mo | 50 GB | | 5 | Vodafone | Vodafone | EUR 10/mo | 90 GB | | 6 | Orange | Orange | EUR 10/mo | 65 GB | | 7 | Yoigo | Yoigo | EUR 10/mo | 25 GB | | 8 | Pepephone | Orange | EUR 15/mo | 150 GB | | 9 | Movistar | Movistar | EUR 15/mo | 60 GB | Sources: provider websites, **[CNMC](https://www.cnmc.es)**. Prices as of July 2026. Illustration of a coin stack, a price tag, and rising plan tiers, showing budget, mid-range, and premium telecom prices in Spain.Budget to premium: what telecom costs in Spain. ## Which Network Does Each Spanish MVNO Run On? Spain has **four mobile network operators (MNOs)**: **Movistar (Telefonica)**, **Vodafone Espana**, **Orange Espana**, and **Yoigo** (part of the MasOrange group since the 2024 Orange/MASMOVIL merger). Every budget MVNO rides on one of these four physical networks, so coverage depends on the host network, not the retail brand. | MVNO | Host Network | Ownership | | --- | --- | --- | | Lowi | Vodafone | Vodafone-owned | | O2 | Movistar | Movistar (Telefonica)-owned | | Simyo | Orange / MasOrange | Orange-owned | | Pepephone | MasOrange | MasOrange group-owned | | Digi | Own network (rolling out since 2025), roaming on Movistar where its own coverage is thin | Digi Spain (independent, transitioning to its own MNO network) | Host-network pairings updated after the 26 March 2024 Orange/MasMovil merger that created MasOrange. Source: MasOrange group brand pages, Fierce Network, RCR Wireless, as of July 2026. Illustration of four signal towers of different heights, representing Spain's four mobile network operators: Movistar, Vodafone, Orange, and Yoigo.Four networks run Spain: Movistar, Vodafone, Orange, and Yoigo. ## Should You Get a Spanish SIM or a Travel eSIM? If you live in Spain, a **Spanish SIM card** wins on a **local Spanish number**, cheaper large-data plans, and easier registration for banking and contracts. If you are only visiting for days or weeks, a travel eSIM activates instantly with **no NIE** and no shop visit. For short trips, use a travel eSIM such as **Holafly** or **Airalo** (instant, no paperwork). For moving or long-term stays, get a Spanish SIM once you can register with a passport or NIE. Many newcomers do both: a travel eSIM on day one, then a Spanish SIM after arrival. See our [prepaid vs postpaid guide](/telecom/prepaid-vs-postpaid) to compare the two commitment models before you choose. Illustration of a physical SIM card, a swap arrow, and a phone with an embedded eSIM, comparing a Spanish SIM with a travel eSIM.Spanish SIM or travel eSIM: two ways to get online. ## Should You Get a Prepaid or Contract SIM in Spain? As a newcomer just arriving in Spain, a **prepaid SIM (prepago)** is usually the best starting point. Prepaid plans do not require a credit check, a Spanish bank account, or a long-term commitment. You can buy prepaid SIM cards online, at operator stores, or at some supermarkets and electronics retailers. Once you are settled with a padron (municipal registration) and bank account, you may consider a **contract plan (contrato)** for better value on data. Most Spanish operators now advertise plans as **sin permanencia** (no minimum term), which removes the historic lock-in risk of contract SIMs. See our [prepaid vs postpaid Spain](/telecom/prepaid-vs-postpaid) guide for the full breakdown. ## What Are the SIM Card Registration Requirements in Spain? Spain requires identification to activate a prepaid SIM, both in-store and online, under the country's telecom data-retention rules covering prepaid subscribers. In practice this means presenting a **passport**, **DNI**, or **NIE (Numero de Identidad de Extranjero)** at the point of sale, or completing an online identity check by photographing the document plus a selfie, a method used by Movistar and **[Lebara](https://lebaraspain.es)** among others, as of July 2026. The [CNMC](https://www.cnmc.es), Spain's telecom regulator, oversees operator compliance with consumer-protection and registration rules. ## How Do You Switch to a Cheaper Mobile Plan in Spain? Switching providers in Spain runs through the **ICP-Referencia**, a portability reference code issued by your losing operator. Request the code, give it to your new operator, and the switch completes within **1 business day** of a 14:00 cancellation cutoff on the prior business day, per the CNMC's portability rules (Resolution PORT/DTSA/002/16). - **Request your ICP-Referencia code.** Call or message your current operator, or generate it via their app or website. - **Sign up with your new operator** and provide the ICP-Referencia code plus your passport or NIE. - **Wait for porting to complete.** Your number transfers automatically, within 1 business day of the switch being confirmed. - **Your old contract ends automatically** once porting completes, no separate cancellation letter needed. ## Related Guides [### SIM Cards User Reviews Sentiment ranking from real Spanish mobile users.](/telecom/sim-cards-comparison)[### SIM Cards Price Research Full monthly pricing table for every Spanish SIM plan.](/telecom/sim-cards-price-research)[### SIM Finder Answer a few questions and find your best plan.](/telecom/sim-finder)[### Best SIM for International Calling Plans for heavy international-minutes users.](/telecom/international-calling-sim) ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is the cheapest SIM card in Spain in 2026? Digi is the cheapest standard prepaid SIM in Spain at EUR 5 per month for 15 GB with unlimited calls. Simyo follows at EUR 7 for 20 GB, and Lowi at EUR 8 for 30 GB on the Vodafone network. All three include EU roaming at no extra cost. ### Do I need an NIE to buy a SIM card in Spain? A passport, NIE (Numero de Identidad de Extranjero), or DNI is required to register a prepaid SIM in Spain, both in-store and online, under Spain's data-retention law covering prepaid mobile subscribers. Online activations, including Movistar and Lebara, generally verify identity by photographing the document plus a selfie rather than requiring a shop visit, as of July 2026. ### Which network does each Spanish MVNO run on? Lowi and Finetwork run on the Vodafone network, O2 runs on the Movistar network, and Simyo, Pepephone, and Yoigo run on the MasOrange network, the entity Orange and MasMovil formed by merging on 26 March 2024. Digi Spain now runs its own network, rolling out since 2025, and roams on Movistar's network where its own coverage is still thin, as it builds toward becoming a fifth full network operator. Source: MasOrange group brand pages, Fierce Network, and RCR Wireless, as of July 2026. ### Should I get a Spanish SIM card or a travel eSIM? If you live in Spain, a Spanish SIM card wins on price for ongoing use, a local Spanish number, and easier registration for banking and contracts. If you are only visiting for a short trip, a travel eSIM from Holafly or Airalo activates instantly with no NIE or shop visit required. --- Source: https://www.how-to-spain.com/telecom/sim-cards Last updated: Updated: July 2026 Format: LLM-readable Markdown twin (.md) of the canonical HTML page.