First week
Time
15 min
Cost
€10–20
Difficulty
Easy
What to bring
Passport (Spain requires ID registration for all SIMs)
Not needed: NIE. Prepaid SIMs register against your passport
Not needed: A Spanish bank account (needed only for contract plans)
Our pick
Compare all 4 →Prices checked June 2026
Do it
- 1
Walk into an Orange or Vodafone store
Portal de l'Àngel, Passeig de Gràcia, or any shopping centre. Skip the tourist kiosks on La Rambla — worse rates.
- 2
Ask for a prepaid SIM ("tarjeta prepago")
They scan your passport (legally required) and register the line on the spot.
- 3
Pick a bundle
€10–15/month buys 30–40GB. Say how long you're staying; staff will match the right promo.
- 4
Test it before leaving
Have them insert the SIM, confirm data works, and note the top-up method (app, supermarket, or ATM).
Common questions
Do I need a NIE for a SIM?
Not for prepaid — passport is enough. Contracts want a NIE and a Spanish bank account, which is why prepaid comes first.
Which operator if my Spanish is shaky?
Lobster runs English-first support on the Movistar network. Otherwise any Vodafone/Orange shop in the centre handles English fine.
Can I port my number later?
Yes — portability is free and takes a couple of working days. Pick convenient now, optimise later.
Full checklist tracking and task completion live in the Settli app for Barcelona.