Move to Spain
NIE, TIE, padrón, EU registration, visas, and residency.
ExploreWhere should we begin?
Vacation in Spain
Short visits, entry rules, transport, places to stay, and practical trip planning in Spain.
Live in Spain
Healthcare, banking, taxes, digital access, and the key admin steps for everyday life in Spain.
Not legal advice. Always verify with official sources before filing.
IberiGo guide
Phone and internet in Spain
Getting a mobile number and home internet in Spain is straightforward once you have ID. Compare major operators and flexible options before signing.
Phone number and internet
Getting a Spanish SIM is straightforward and often one of the first things to sort on arrival — you need a working Spanish number for bank verification, government SMS codes, appointment confirmations, and Cl@ve PIN registration. Major operators are Movistar, Vodafone, Orange, and MásMóvil; low-cost MVNOs like Simyo, Digi, and Lebara offer good value on the same networks. You need your passport or NIE to register a SIM (anonymous SIMs are not legal in Spain). Prepay SIMs are available in supermarkets, phone shops, and operator stores. For home broadband, fibre coverage in Spain is extensive — Spain has one of the highest fibre penetration rates in Europe — and contracts are typically 12 months with competitive pricing.
Next steps
- Decide whether you need a temporary arrival solution or a stable line for living in Spain.
- Prepare passport or NIE/TIE, because some providers may ask for identification when opening a contract or porting a number.
- Before choosing a plan, check coverage in your area, contract length, home internet options, and whether you need reliable SMS codes for banking or public portals.
- Compare the larger operators and the more flexible options before choosing mobile, fibre, or a bundled package.
Official links
Movistar
Best overall coverage, especially in rural areas — but usually the priciest of the big carriers.
Vodafone
Strong urban coverage and often English-speaking staff; pricier if you only need a short stay.
Orange
Good coverage and competitive prepaid deals; activation usually needs a visit to a store.
DIGI
Cheapest of the main options, running on Orange's network at secondary priority; fewer stores.
O2
Movistar's online-only budget brand on the same network: cheaper and simpler, but no stores or in-person help.
Yoigo
Part of the MasOrange group and now carried on Orange's network; cheaper than Orange, with fewer extras.
This app is a planning guide, not legal advice. Spanish immigration and administration rules, document lists, fees, and appointment labels can change. Always verify your procedure with official sources before filing.
Documents that often slow people down
Identity and civil records
- Valid passport or EU national ID.
- Birth, marriage, or partnership records where relevant.
- Legalization or Hague apostille for many foreign public documents.
- Sworn Spanish translations when documents are not accepted as-is.
Spain-side basics
- Address in Spain and, when requested, padrón certificate.
- Immigration appointment confirmation.
- Correct EX form for your procedure.
- Paid tasa receipt, often Modelo 790 with the matching code.
Money, health, purpose
- Proof of economic means for routes that require it.
- Health insurance or public coverage proof where required.
- School admission, remote-work evidence, family link, or permit approval.
- Criminal record certificate for some visas and residence routes.
Not every document applies to every route. The guide should help you narrow this down.
Official sources
Appointments and fees
Identity and residence
Digital access
Residence routes
This app is a planning guide, not legal advice. Spanish immigration and administration rules, document lists, fees, and appointment labels can change. Always verify your procedure with official sources before filing.
Last reviewed: July 2026