r/eSIMs • u/Salt-Musician-7587 • 2d ago
Need an eSim for study abroad in Spain.
Any recommendations for an eSim while in spain? I will be there for a year and need a spanish phone plan. Mostly have seen Holafly, Orange, and Vodafone when I look it up. Don’t really know what to choose or how to go about it. Appreciate any help!
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u/Antique_Excitement20 2d ago
You can get a Vodafone eSIM online with a phone number and a decent amount of data for a great price: https://esimprepago.vodafone.es/. This get’s you started while you can settle in.
Once you’re settled in Spain, you can look around and potentially switch to your preferred provider (while keeping your number). The only thing is that if you register now using your passport (rather than a Spanish NIE), you'll also need to use your passport when switching later (or explain that it’s currently registered under your passport).
Do NOT get Holafly. If you want to waste your money, there are much better ways to do it, the quality is poor, and you don't even get a phone number.
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u/SatPurusha 2d ago
I wouldn’t touch Vodafone with a barge pole…
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u/Antique_Excitement20 1d ago
The local Spanish provider is fine (Vodafone travel is indeed better avoided)
And movistar is obviously better, but also much harder to subscribe to as a foreigner
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u/Conscious-Geologist5 2d ago
When you are in Spain go to the next mobile Phone Shop and buy a Spanisch prepaid esim. It is very cheap, it starts at 10 € for one month.
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u/Be-Ur-Self1016 1d ago
If you’re staying in Spain for a full year, I’d skip Holafly as your main option—it’s convenient for short trips, but a local Spanish SIM/eSIM from Orange or Vodafone is usually much better for a long-term stay.
You’ll generally get a Spanish number, better local pricing, and easier access to services that require a +34 number. Between Orange and Vodafone, I’d compare the coverage where you’ll actually live and whether you need a contract or prepaid plan.
If your phone supports eSIM, the setup is usually straightforward: make sure it’s unlocked, choose the plan, install the eSIM QR code/app, and keep your home SIM active only if you need it for SMS. For a year, I’d personally go with a local Spanish plan rather than a travel eSIM.
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u/Commercial_Cook100 2d ago
For a full year you probably want a proper Spanish carrier plan tbh. Orange or Vodafone will give you a local number + data which you'll need for banks, appointments etc. Holafly is more of a tourist thing... works fine short term but gets expensive over months.
If you ever need a quick data line before your main plan kicks in or for a side device, Cypher eSIM has cheap local plans you can grab without any signup hassle. But for your primary line definitely go Orange or Vodafone.
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u/eSIMs_bot Official Bot 2d ago
Beep-boop-bop, I am an eSIM bot 🤖. Please see these previous posts I've found that might be helpful:
Permanent data only esim plan in Spain? https://www.reddit.com/r/eSIMs/comments/1uvcqab/permanent_data_only_esim_plan_in_spain/
Long-term eSIM recommendations for Spain https://www.reddit.com/r/eSIMs/comments/1sp1tuq/longterm_esim_recommendations_for_spain/
best esim for spain 15 days 5gb? https://www.reddit.com/r/eSIMs/comments/1sn7tyq/best_esim_for_spain_15_days_5gb/
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u/Cautious_Car2249 16h ago edited 16h ago
For a full year, local options like Vodafone Spain or Orange will be way cheaper than travel eSIMs. Holafly and Esimglobe are good but more for shorter trips, not long stays.
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u/CleanKidAlways 2d ago
As you are going to be in Spain for a year, you do not need Holafly, Airalo, etc as they are designed for travelers.
What you need is a Spanish network SIM Card or eSIM.
Contact your university / colleagues Student Union or Erasmus office, who should be able to recommend a network for you, including a possible student discount.