It’s useful to stay connected while travelling in Europe, but using data roaming on your phone can be expensive! Using an eSIM during your trip to Barcelona can be a convenient and cheap way to stay online, without the hassle of buying a physical SIM card. In this post, I’ve chosen the best eSIMs for Barcelona, including eSIMs for Spain and eSIMs for cruises from Barcelona, so you can choose the best one for your trip.
Quick Answer: The Best eSIM for Barcelona & Spain
My pick for the best eSIM for Barcelona is the Airalo eSIM. Airalo was one of the first eSIMs on the market and is a reliable brand with great prices and a free 1GB eSIM for new customers to get you started. I have used Airalo eSIMs while travelling and found the service to be quick and easy with good signal.
However, if you’re looking for other options such as eSIMs for a cruise from Barcelona, or need a data for long stay as a digital nomad these eSIMs may be better for you:
| Airalo: | Best Known eSIM Brand, Best Value eSIM and Best for Beginners – easy to set up, and top up, well-known brand. Get a free eSIM with 1GB of Data then Prices start from $4.50 per GB, valid for 7 days. Can hotspot to use data on your laptop or other devices. | GET YOUR FREE ESIM |
| GigSky: | Best for Cruisers – get a free eSIM with 500mb of data to test out, then top up the same eSIM easily without needing to install a new eSIM each time. Prices start from $4.99 per GB, valid for 7 days. Can hotspot to use data on your laptop or other devices. Packages for cruising which work for Europe & on a cruise ship. Save 10% on your first top-up with the code CLAIRESTURZ | GET YOUR FREE ESIM |
| aloSIM: | Best for callers – easy to use, comes with a free phone number with 30 minutes of WiFi calls. Prices start from $4.50 per GB, valid for 7 days. Can hotspot to use data on your laptop or other devices. | CHECK PRICES |
| Ubigi | Best for long stays – cheap data valid for 30 days with prices starting at $6 for 3GB. Can hotspot to use data on your laptop or other devices. | CHECK PRICES |
| Holafly: | Best eSIM for phone streamers – unlimited data on your phone for every day you need. Prices start from $6 per day for unlimited data. Hotspot only available to use up to 500mb of data on other devices. | CHECK PRICES |
Quick Answer: The Cheapest eSIM for Spain
💲CHEAPEST SPAIN eSIMS BY DATA For a small amount of data, or unlimited data, GigSky is the cheapest eSIM for Spain that I found. They also offer a free eSIM with 100mb of free data to get you started. For long stays that don’t need much data, Ubigi is another cheap Spain eSIM option.
| Amount of Data | Valid For | Airalo | GigSky | aloSIM | Ubigi | Holafly |
| FREE ESIM | Varies | 1 GB | 500 MB | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 1 GB | 7 days | $4.50 | $4.99 | $4.50 | N/A | N/A |
| 2 GB | 15 days | $6.50 | N/A | $6.50 | N/A | N/A |
| 3 GB | 15/30 Days | $8.50 | $9.99 | $8.50 | $5.00 | N/A |
| 5 GB | 30 Days | $10 | $12.99 | $11.50 | N/A | N/A |
| 10 GB | 30 Days | $15.50 | $19.99 | $18.00 | $12.00 | N/A |
| Unlimited | 1 Day | N/A | $4.99 | N/A | N/A | $1.99 |
| Unlimited | 3 Days | N/A | $14.99 | N/A | N/A | $12.00 |
| Unlimited | 7 Days | N/A | $28.99 | N/A | $18.00 | $29.90 |
| Unlimited | 10 Days | $35 | N/A | $35 | N/A | $36.90 |
| Unlimited | 14 Days | N/A | $43.99 | N/A | N/A | $47.90 |
| Check Prices: | Airalo | GigSky | aloSIM | Ubigi | Holafly |
What is an eSIM?
OK let’s start at the beginning. An eSIM, or embedded SIM, is a digital SIM card that is downloaded directly into your device (usually a smartphone but it could also be a tablet, or smartwatch or even a compatible laptop). Unlike traditional physical SIM cards, eSIMs can be activated with different carriers without needing to insert or replace a physical card.
eSIMs are easy to use and set up, and are usually much cheaper than roaming plans. You can have multiple eSIMs on your phone as well as your usual physical SIM card, and you can switch between several eSIMs and your traditional SIM card easily, without worrying about losing your SIM card or phone number.
Benefits of Using an eSIM in Barcelona
Time-Saving & Convenience
One of the major benefits of using eSIMs is that everything is done digitally, so there is no need to waste your precious vacation time visiting a store to get a local SIM card in Barcelona. You can activate and switch carriers easily on your phone, and it works right away.
Money Saving
eSIMS are usually cheaper than roaming with your usual phone provider, and they are ideal for travellers as you avoid high roaming fees.
Eco-Friendly
eSIMs are virtual, so are plastic-free and don’t need any packaging, so you can be a little more eco-friendly while travelling.
Downsides of eSIMs
Device Compatibility
Not all devices support eSIMs. Although most new smartphones and devices do, older models and some budget phones do not, so make sure you check that your phone has eSIM functionality before you buy an eSIM.
No Local Phone Number
Generally, eSIMs don’t include a local phone number, so you can’t make phone calls with your eSIM. However, they do give you data so you can make calls to your contacts using Whatsapp or other internet-based phone apps.
Activation Process
While generally straightforward, the eSIM activation process can vary by carrier and sometimes involves more steps than inserting a physical SIM card. You may need to download and activate the eSIM before you travel to make sure you have a steady internet connection to complete the setup, instead of relying on spotty airport WiFi.
ESIM v Local SIM Card in Barcelona
Choosing between an eSIM and a local SIM card in Barcelona depends on your travel style, phone compatibility, and data needs. An eSIM is a convenient, hassle-free option if your phone supports it, and I’d recommend that in most cases.
You can set it up before arriving, avoiding queues and any potential language barriers in the phone store. Many eSIM providers offer competitive short-term data plans specifically for tourists, and it’s easy to top up or switch providers online.
eSIMs also allow you to keep your home number active on your physical SIM for calls or texts, which is useful for two-factor authentication for managing banking apps or staying in touch with family.
On the other hand, a local SIM card from Spanish providers like Movistar, Orange, Vodafone, or Yoigo can offer better value, especially for longer stays or if you need lots of data. You can usually get a prepaid SIM with generous data for a month for less than what international eSIM plans might charge.
My pre-paid Vodafone SIM for example costs €10 for a month and includes 60 GB of data, and a Spanish phone number with unlimited local calls and 500 international minutes.
However, buying a physical SIM requires visiting a shop with your passport and dealing with Spanish paperwork or staff who may not speak English fluently. If you want to keep accessing your regular sim card for calls or messages then you will need to have a dual SIM phone that allows you to use both SIMs at the same time, otherwise, you’ll have to take out your usual SIM and replace it with the local one.
Overall, an eSIM is best for short stays, as it is very easy to set up and use, while a local SIM card is probably better for longer visits or if you want more data and a local phone number.
Which is the Best eSIM for Spain and Barcelona?
Here I’ve chosen the best Spanish eSIMs to use in Barcelona and the rest of Spain, based on my own personal experience and reviews from other users. I’ve included the current (as of July 2025) prices and data packages available for each provider, but please note that prices may change without notice, so make sure you check the up-to-date prices on the websites.
Airalo eSIMs for Spain
The Airalo app clearly shows you how much data you have used and how long you have left, including an exact time for the expiration, which is useful. They sent me an email 3 days before my data expired and 1 day before, so I had plenty of warning and opportunity to top up easily.
For some countries, the costs can be slightly higher than other providers, but the Spanish eSIMs are great value and this is a reliable choice for your first eSIM. Airalo has 10,000,000 customers worldwide and is one of the best-known eSIM providers.
New customers get a free 1GB eSIM to try out, and you’ll also get 5% cashback in Airmoney with every purchase which goes back into your account to use towards other eSIMs you might buy for your next trip. As another added bonus, Airalo also have a referral system where you can refer a friend and get $3 Airmoney in your account to use towards future purchases of Airalo eSIMSs.
Current Costs for Airalo Spanish eSIMs:
| Amount of Data | Valid For | Cost USD (USD) |
| 1 GB | 1 day | FREE |
| 1 GB | 7 days | $4.50 |
| 2 GB | 15 Days | $6.50 |
| 3 GB | 30 Days | $8.50 |
| 5 GB | 30 Days | $10 |
| 10 GB | 30 Days | $15.50 |
| 20 GB | 30 Days | $22.50 |
| Unlimited | 10 Days | $35 |
SPECIAL OFFERS FOR AIRALO
New Airalo users get a free 1GB eSIM to try out, and then you can save 15% on your first booking with the promo code: NEWTOAIRALO15. The maximum discount any new user can get is $100. Read more about the promo code terms of usage here.
Existing users get a 10% discount on one booking made on the Airalo site or app with the promo code: AIRALOESIM10. The maximum discount any existing user can get is $100. Read more about the promo code terms of usage here.
If you are going to different countries then a European eSIM or Global eSIM might be more useful as you can use them in several destinations. Airalo European eSIM packages start from 1GB for $5 USD which is valid for 7 days.
Check current pricing and package options for Airalo here:
GigSky eSIMs
I used a GigSky eSIM when I visited Barcelona before I moved back and found it very easy to use with quick customer service when I had a question. While Airalo are now cheaper for many packages, and offer the free 1GB eSIM for Spain, GigSky is still a great choice – especially if you have a cruise from Barcelona, as their cruise packages work on land and at sea.
If you’ve never tried eSIMs before then GigSky offer a free eSIM with a free 100mb of data (currently 500mb for a limited time) so you can try out eSIMs completely risk-free!
To get your free GigSky eSIM for Spain (or anywhere else), download the GigSky app and set up an account. Once you have the eSIM installed it’s easy to activate and then you’re online and roaming. I downloaded a free eSIM for myself and was also really impressed that the following day GigSky sent me a money-off voucher to put towards my next top-up too!
And as an extra bonus, you can get an extra 10% off your first top-up with the code CLAIRESTURZ, valid on any purchase over $4 USD, except on cruise and inflight plans. In the GigSky app you can clearly see which plans you have active, how much data you have left, and when it will expire, down to the hour of expiry.
If you’re taking a cruise in Spain then GigSky also offer Cruise + Land data eSIM plans, so you can stay connected at sea, in port, and in Spain, all with the same eSIM. Prices for the Cruise & Land packages are obviously more expensive than the standard Spanish eSIMs so if you’re not cruising, the data packages for Spain and Europe are still great value.
Current Costs for GigSky Spanish eSIMs:
| Amount of Data | Valid For | Cost USD (USD) |
| 500 MB / 100MB | 7 days | FREE |
| 1 GB | 7 days | $4.99 |
| 3 GB | 15 Days | $9.99 |
| 5 GB | 30 Days | $12.99 |
| 10 GB | 30 Days | $19.99 |
| 50 GB | 90 Days | $59.97 |
| 100 GB | 180 Days | $89.99 |
| Unlimited | 1 Days | $4.99 |
| Unlimited | 3 Days | $14.99 |
| Unlimited | 7 Days | $28.99 |
| Unlimited | 14 Days | $43.99 |
| Unlimited | 30 Days | $74.99 |
SPECIAL OFFERS FOR GIGSKY
Don’t miss out on a free eSIM with a free 100mb of data (currently 500mb) so you can try out GigSky eSIMs completely risk-free! New GigSky users can also save 10% on their first top-up with the promo code: CLAIRESTURZ (excluding the cruise packages and inflight plans, minimum purchase of $4 USD required).
If you are going to different countries then a European eSIM or Global eSIM might be more useful as you can use them in several destinations. You can get a free eSIM with 100mb (currently 500mb of data for 7 days, then GigSky European eSIM packages start from 1GB for $5.99 USD which is valid for 7 days. ➡️Check the current prices and offers here.
AloSIM Spanish eSIMs
AloSIM is another great option for an eSIM in Spain, especially if you might need to make phone calls while you are travelling. It works in a similar way to Airalo and Gigsky, but most prepaid data packages from aloSIM now come with a free phone number from their sister app, Hushed.
You get a free Canada or U.S. number that works over Wi-Fi or data so you can make calls and send texts over Wi-Fi or using your aloSIM data. I haven’t found another eSIM that includes a phone number so this is a useful benefit, and while it is an international number (so it would cost people in Spain quite a lot to call you) you can call them through the Hushed app, as long as you’re connected to the internet either using your eSIM data or WIFI.
Packages come with free credits worth about 30 calling minutes or 50 texts, and you can add more credit if needed. I used an aloSIM eSIM on a recent trip to Turkey and Georgia and it worked really well – this was before they introduced the free phone number with Hushed so I haven’t tested that yet, but the sim was great.
It was easy to use, with step-by-step instructions on how to set it up. The app tells you how much data you have left and how long it will last for (although it isn’t as precise as the Airalo app). I also got a push notification and an email when my data was about to expire, with a link in the email to top up quickly and easily if I wanted more data.
Another nice bonus (like Airalo) is the aloCASH referral system where you can refer a friend and get $3 aloCASH in your account to use towards other purchases of aloSIM eSIMSs. You’ll also get 5% cashback with every purchase which goes back into your account to use towards other eSIMs in future.
Current Costs for aloSIM Spanish eSIMs:
| Amount of Data | Valid For | Cost (USD) |
| 1 GB | 7 days | $4.50 |
| 2 GB | 15 Days | $6.50 |
| 3 GB | 30 Days | $8.50 |
| 5 GB | 30 Days | $11.50 |
| 10 GB | 30 Days | $18.00 |
| 20 GB | 30 Days | $26.00 |
| Unlimited | 10 Days | $35.00 |
If you are going to different countries then a European eSIM or Global eSIM might be more useful as you can use them in several destinations. AloSIM European eSIM packages start from 1GB for $5 USD which is valid for 7 days. ➡️Check the current prices and offers here.
HolaFly Unlimited Data eSIMs for Spain
I haven’t used HolaFly before as I don’t usually need unlimited data, but if you don’t have WiFi at your accommodation, or you know you will need a lot of data for streaming then an HolaFly eSIM could be a good option for you.
HOWEVER, HolaFly’s Spanish eSIM only allows for 500mb of tethering data, so if you expect to connect to your phone data use it as a hotspot for your laptop then this isn’t the best option for you .
This eSIM works differently from the others as the packages are charged per day (not per GB) and you get unlimited data every day that it is valid for which could be useful if you have lots of video calls on your phone or heavy streaming needs.
For long trips the costs can add up, so think carefully about how much data you might use before you buy. I’d also recommend checking the connection for a day before you purchase a long period of data, just in case the signal is poor where you need to use it! The 1 day unlimited data eSIMs for Spain are really cheap so that could be a good test opportunity.
There is also a note in the technical specs that says there may be some speed reduction if you hit high levels of usage, and some carriers may reserve the right to apply a Fair Usage Policy, so be aware of that too.
Current Costs for HolaFly Spanish eSIMs:
| Unlimited Data Valid For | Cost (USD) |
| 1 Day | $1.99 |
| 2 Days | $9.90 |
| 3 Days | $12.90 |
| 5 Days | $20.90 |
| 7 Days | $29.90 |
| 15 Days | $50.90 |
| 30 Days | $74.90 |
Strangely, HolaFly offer specific eSIMs for Barcelona as well as Spain, but looking at the specs the Spanish eSIM will have better coverage in other parts of Spain, and will also allow for 500mb of data tethering (whereas the Barcelona-specific one doesn’t) so the Spain eSIM seems better than the Barcelona specific one.
Alternatively, if you are going to different countries then a European eSIM could also be better for you as it is the same price as the eSIM for Spain.
Esimatic Spain eSIMs
Another excellent choice for an eSM for Spain. Once you have an Esimatic eSIM installed on your phone you can simply choose a package and top up whenever you need a different package, you don’t need to re-install a new eSIM each time. There is a website but to make your purchase you’ll need to buy your eSIM through the Esimatic app.
Ubigi eSIMs
Ubigi is another option for eSIMs in Spain and is a new discovery for me so I haven’t personally tried out their eSIMs yet. They offer great rates for their data eSIMs and they most are valid for 30 days which is useful if you are staying in Spain for a few weeks or months.
Data sharing is allowed, so you can hotspot your phone and use the data on other devices like a laptop or someone else’s phone. There is no option to add a phone number, although you can use the data to call contacts on Whatsapp or use another VOIP internet-based call app (like Skype) to call other numbers not in your contacts.
Current Costs for Ubigi Spanish eSIMs:
| Amount of Data | Valid For | Cost (USD) |
| 3 GB | 30 Days | $6.00 |
| 10 GB | 7 Days | $9.00 |
| 10 GB | 30 Days | $12.00 |
| 50 GB | 30 Days | $34.00 |
Ubigi also offers more long-term options if you are spending several months or a year in Spain as a digital nomad or taking a workation here, with a 12 month data package for 2 GB per month at $26.00 total for the year, or a monthly package for 5GB of data per month at $8 per month.
Conclusion: Which is the Best eSIM for Spain?
Which Spanish eSIM you choose for your trip to Barcelona will depend on what how much data you want, what you intend to do with it and how long you will need it for.
If you’ve never used eSIMs before, the free eSIM from Airalo with a free 1GB data package is a nice way to practice and get you started, and you can then easily top up when you need to (save 15% on your first booking with the promo code: NEWTOAIRALO15).
I would also recommend a GigSky eSIM if you’re travelling on a cruise from Barcelona, and the free phone number for VOIP calling with aloSIM could be useful if you want to make calls.
Don’t forget you can use WhatsApp to call any of your contacts free of charge as long as you are using wifi or data, and can use other VOIP programs like Skype to call other numbers not in your contacts (for an additional cost per minute), so having an international number isn’t essential.
If you stream a lot or make a lot of video calls on your phone then the HolaFly unlimited data packages could be useful for you, but they don’t allow for much tethering, so you couldn’t use more than 500mb if you wanted to hotspot your phone data to use on a laptop or other device.
If you’re a digital nomad in Barcelona, check out Ubigi for long-term data usage, or just buy a local SIM card from a store.
How to Choose an eSIM for Spain and Your Trip to Barcelona
Check Your Current Roaming Data Costs
Before you buy an eSIM for Barcelona, check what the roaming costs are with your current phone provider. European providers may include roaming for Spain, but most UK and other providers do not. In some cases, you can get an add-on service which will allow roaming, but usually, these are expensive daily charges or come at a very high cost per MB or GB.
Check if Your Device is Compatible with eSIMs
The next step before buying an eSIM for Spain is to make sure your phone or chosen device has eSIM capability. Most modern smartphones from brands like Apple (iPhone XS and later), Google (Pixel 3 and later), and Samsung (Galaxy S20 and later) support eSIMs, but it is best to double-check.
Tablets like the iPad Pro (2018 and later), certain models of Apple Watch, Samsung Galaxy Watch, and others, and some laptops, particularly those marketed towards frequent travellers or business users also support eSIM functionality. You can check with your device provider or Airalo has a good list of compatible devices here.
Decide How Much Data You Might Need & What You Need it For
It can be hard to say how much data you might use while you’re in Barcelona, but think about how much you use your phone and what you might do with it. If you have WiFi at your accommodation then you can save data by not doing any big downloads or uploading videos until you get back to your accommodation so you won’t waste data while you’re out and about.
Things like looking at Google Maps and some basic social media shouldn’t need very much, but if you’re streaming or uploading videos and watching lots of TikToks then your data could go quite quickly!
I’ve looked at various sources each with different estimates for how much data social media uses, or how long 1Gb of data could last. One way of checking how much data you use is by checking the data usage on your phone. You could also get a free eSIM from Airalo which comes with 1GB of free data, so test that and see how long it lasts.
The good news is that if you run out of data you can always top up easily – most eSIM providers will send you a notification when you are running low, or you can set up an alert on your device to let you know how much you use each day.
You also need to decide if you will only use your data on your phone or device the eSIM is installed on, or if you want to use it as a hotspot and connect your laptop or other devices to your phone data. If you’re working on your laptop or want to share your data with other people, you’ll need to make sure that tethering and using your phone as a hotspot is permitted.
Most providers like Airalo, GigSky and aloSim allow unlimited tethering, but HolaFly only allows up to 500mb for example.
Unlimited data eSIMs could be a good option if you want to share your data with someone else, eg family or friends you are travelling with. Just make sure that the package you are looking at allows WIFI tethering to multiple devices so you can use your phone as the WIFI for everyone else.
Confirm the Duration of Your Trip & the Destinations
eSIM packages vary in how long they are valid. Some just last for a few days, and others last for up to 30 days, so choose the best one for your trip. You can also consider buying 2 shorter-duration eSIMs and top up when your first eSIM runs out.
Which option you choose will also depend on where you are travelling on your trip – if you are just going to stay in Spain then a national eSIM for Spain will be best (and cheapest), but if you are going to different countries then a European eSIM or Global eSIM might be more useful.
For example, if you’re looking for the best eSIM for Spain and Portugal, a European eSIM that you can use in both destinations could be best for you, or you could get two separate eSIMs – one for Portugal and one for Spain which might work out cheaper, depending on the length of your trip and how long you’ll spend in each country.
If you are taking a cruise from Barcelona and want to use your eSIM on the cruise, then check out the package options on Gigsky, which work on both land and at sea.
How to Set Up an eSIM
Setting up your Spanish eSIM is easy. Once you have chosen an eSIM plan from a provider, download their app and buy the eSIM or scan the QR code provided on their website to install the eSIM profile to your phone. They will give you step-by-step instructions to set up and activate their eSIMs.
Sometimes it is best to download the eSIM to your phone before you travel, and then activate it either shortly before you travel, or when you arrive. Each provider has slightly different instructions, so follow those carefully to make sure you do everything correctly.
Tips to Reduce Data Use while Travelling
Reducing phone data use while travelling can help you make the most of your eSIM data package and cut down on costs even further, here are some tips for maximising your data allowance:
Before You Travel
Download Offline Maps: Use apps like Google Maps or Maps.me to download offline maps of your destination so you can navigate without using data. This is very useful for finding your hotel when you arrive, and getting around Barcelona easily.
Save Documents Offline: Save all your travel documents like travel itineraries, hotel bookings, and insurance details to your phone and/or cloud services that allow offline access.
Download Entertainment: Download music, movies, and books to your device before you leave so you’re not tempted to download anything on the move. This will also give you something to do on the plane!
Prepare your eSIM: Download and install your eSIM data package so it is ready for you to use when you arrive at your destination.
During Your Trip
Use Wi-Fi Whenever Possible: Connect to Wi-Fi in hotels, cafes, and public spaces to save data. However, be cautious with public Wi-Fi security and make sure you use a VPN to protect your data if you’re on a public network.
Avoid Streaming: Avoid streaming videos and music over your mobile data. Use downloaded content instead or wait until you have WiFi.
Limit Social Media Usage: Social media apps, in particular video-heavy apps like TikTok, can consume a lot of data. Limit their use while you’re out and about or adjust settings to disable auto-playing videos.
Use Offline Modes: Many apps have offline modes so you can access the content you’ve downloaded. For example, Spotify allows you to download playlists, and Netflix lets you download shows and movies to watch later.
Turn Off Background Data: Go to your phone’s settings and disable background data usage for apps that don’t need it.
Optimize App Settings: Adjust settings in individual apps to minimise data use, such as lowering video quality in streaming apps.
Disable Auto-Updates: Turn off automatic updates for apps and system software so you don’t accidentally download updates on your eSIM data.
Monitor Data Usage: Use your phone’s built-in data tracker or a third-party app to monitor your data usage and set alerts for when you’re nearing your limit so you can keep track of how much data you’re using.
Switch to Airplane Mode: When you don’t need your phone, switch it to airplane mode to avoid any accidental downloads.
I hope this article is useful for you, please feel free to share it with others and let me know if you’ve used an eSIM in Spain and whether you would recommend it – just head over to our Facebook group to share your tips!