Introduction: Spain, Leading the Way in Telecommunications
In Spain, both prices and services are ahead of many other European countries. Spain is one of Europe’s leading nations when it comes to investment in both home broadband and mobile internet, offering robust infrastructure, high speeds, and exceptional value for money.
With this guide, we aim to help everyone visiting Spain, and especially those who decide to buy a property here, discover the best mobile and internet deals available, so you can stay connected from the very first day.
Types of Mobile Plans: Pay As You Go or Contract
Before choosing a provider, it’s important to understand the two main types of mobile plans available in Spain:
- Pay As You Go: Pay in advance and top up easily in shops or online using a debit or credit card. This is the ideal option for shorter stays or for visitors who do not want to open a Spanish bank account.
- Contract: Requires a Spanish bank account, as the monthly payments are collected automatically by direct debit.
Spain’s Mobile Networks
Before choosing a provider, it’s worth understanding the networks behind the different operators:
- Movistar Coverage: One of the largest and most reliable mobile networks in Spain.
- Orange Coverage: Fast, reliable coverage across the country (with Yoigo now fully integrated into the Orange network).
- Vodafone Coverage: Excellent coverage in both urban areas and more rural locations.
- A Note About DIGI: DIGI is currently building its own fibre and mobile network, a rollout that will take several years following its recent stock market listing. In the meantime, it also operates using other highly reliable national networks.
Important: There is no single network that offers the best coverage everywhere. Some areas have a stronger Movistar signal, others are better served by Orange, and others by Vodafone. What you can be sure of is that all the plans below include 5G mobile coverage while offering excellent value for money.
The Best Mobile Phone Deals
1. Movistar Network ( DIGI Operator)
DIGI offers excellent options for both Pay As You Go users and highly competitive contract plans:
- Pay As You Go Plans:
- €7/month: 50 GB + unlimited calls within Spain + 100 international calling minutes per month (to call your home country).
- €10/month: 100 GB + unlimited calls within Spain + 400 international calling minutes per month.
- €12/month: 150 GB + unlimited calls within Spain + 800 international calling minutes per month.
- €15/month: 250 GB + unlimited calls within Spain + 2,000 international calling minutes per month.
- Contract Plans:
- IlimiTODO (10 €/month): Unlimited data plus completely unlimited national and international calls.
- Discount for additional lines: If you take out three mobile lines, the price drops to just €6 per line, including VAT.
2. Orange Network ( Xenet Operator)
For those looking for large data allowances on the Orange network, the virtual operator Xenet offers excellent value with both Pay As You Go and contract options:
- €5.90/month: Unlimited national calls (international calls not included) and 300 GB.
- €8.90/month: Unlimited national calls and unlimited data.
3. Vodafone Network ( ALO Operator)
- €99 per year: Using Vodafone’s network, ALO offers unlimited data and unlimited national calls with a single annual payment, making it one of the most cost-effective options available on this network.
English-Speaking Customer Service: Lobster
Customer service in Spain is generally provided in Spanish. However, for expatriates and visitors who prefer support in English, Lobster is a specialist provider. Its plans are billed every 28 days rather than on a traditional monthly cycle:
- €12.99 (every 28 days): 200 GB of data and unlimited calls and texts to Spain, the UK and other countries.
- €18.99 (every 28 days): 500 GB of data with similar conditions.
- €24.99 (every 28 days): 750 GB of data with similar conditions.
- (There is also a “Just Spain” option offering 200 GB with national calls only for €10.99 every 28 days.)
Unlimited international calls included: Lobster’s plans allow unlimited calls at no extra cost to the United Kingdom, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, and even the United States.
Home Internet: Fibre Broadband
If you also need fixed broadband for your home, Spain offers some outstanding options:
- With DIGI: Prices and available plans depend on whether your property has access to DIGI’s own fibre network (with home broadband available from €10 per month for 500 Mbps) or whether the service is provided through another operator’s network (from €25 for 300 Mbps or €30 for 1 Gbps nationwide).
- In addition, taking out DIGI fibre reduces the cost of DIGI’s unlimited mobile plans to €8 per month (for one mobile line) or €5 per line if you keep three mobile lines active.
- With operators such as Lobster, combining fibre broadband (600 Mbps or 1 Gbps) with one of their mobile plans gives you a permanent €5 discount on your monthly mobile bill.
Have you compared these prices with those in your home country? As you’ll see, the savings can be considerable.
Spain: A European Leader in Mobile Communications
True freedom means having unlimited calls, including international calls, and unlimited mobile data for both your smartphone and tablet, allowing you to make the very most of the outstanding quality of life that Spain has to offer. Don’t hesitate to contact SILC ESTATES to find your ideal home or the perfect holiday property in Spain.
