If you’re happy with data-only, probably the easiest way to do it is via an eSIM reseller like Airolo. A quick look at the options for Spain suggest it’s a bit, but not much, more expensive than buying a physical SIM locally — $18 USD for 10GB of data, for instance.

The advantage, of course, is that you can do it before you get on the plane or at the airport when you arrive. Activation and ongoing management is done via the company’s app, so it’s pretty straightforward.

I’ve also seen occasional mention in the last year of Orange offering a prepaid travel eSIM as well, but I’m struggling to find current information about it or exactly how it works for tourists.

Kind regards,

Mike

Yep, you got it. If you top up every three months, the SIM will stay active and you won’t be charged any extra. Having a Spanish debit card will definitely make the process easier!

So, I understand that as long as I top up my card say € 5 ( i was told that’s the minimum amount) every 3 months – assuming I won’t use the card at all -the card won’t expire?

Also, I will check out the page you’ve sent about keeping the card active and get it translated!

Kind regards,

Mine

Hi Mike,

This approach is quite common around the world, but can definitely be confusing. Basically what they’re saying is that to keep using the same 15GB data bundle, you need to pay €20/month. If you stop paying, you won’t be able to use the SIM for calls/texts/data, but it’s still “active” — in other words, still ready to be used when you do start paying again.

If you don’t top up for three months, you’ll start being charged 50 euro cents per month. If you don’t top up for six months, the SIM card will be deactivated, and will no longer function. You’d need to visit a Vodafone store to get it working again (although most likely you’d need to get a new SIM card anyway.) You can find all the details here (in Spanish, but Google Translate does the job if needed!)

If you won’t be in Spain at least every few months, this page has details on how to top up so you can keep the SIM active, but many if not all of the options require you to either be in Spain or have a debit/credit card issued in Spain. :-/ There are several third-party services out there that say they allow you to top up a Spanish Vodafone number from overseas, but I don’t have first-hand experience of any of them to recommend one to you I’m afraid.

Hope that helps!

I’ve purchased an prepaid card from Vodafone in Barcelona. This one is called Hazte Mega Yuser, 15 GB and i’ve paid €20.
I don’t live in Spain, however visit frequently. I was told at the store that if I top up the card for say € 5 every 3 months, the card won’t expire however if I don’t use or top up the card at all it would expire in 6 months.? I am a little confused since it says on vodafone’s website that i must pay € 20 each month?
What would you suggest I should do to keep the card from expiring? I will hardly use this card while I am not in Spain.

Thank you,

Mike

When you run out of data, you’ll continue browsing at a slow, throttled speed until your plan expires. If there’s enough credit on your SIM at that point, the plan will automatically renew.

If you do want to renew before that, however, you can. After topping up, you send a text to 1470 specifying the plan you want to renew. Details are on this page (in Spanish). As an example, if you’re on the Go Walk plan, you could text “GB WALK” to get another 5GB for 9.95 euros.

I’ve updated the article to include this information (and updated the prices as well), as I’m sure others will find it useful.

Let’s say I buy an Orange prepaid SIM card. I use up all the data that comes with it (15GB) in about 3 weeks. I know I can go online (I’ve found the website) and add funds to that phone number.

If I add the appropriate funds, does my SIM card automatically enroll in the same “plan”? For instance, the plan I bought had 15GB and cost 19.95Euros. So if I pay 19.95Euros into my top up, do I instantly/automatically renew my current plan? Or do I have to do something else?

I spent 129 euros at Madrid airport of Barajas Adolfo Suarez for a SIM local datos (5 euros) plus REC. SIM LOCAL DA (124 euros) for 30 days of service. They guaranteed no limit for calls and 5GB data. I could not make calls at all and customer service only provided punctual solutions after complaining, but did not fix anything.

TUTTO-EXACTTA communications IS A TOTAL SCAM!!