Internet in Spain: providers, plans and setup

Getting a good internet connection in Spain is rarely difficult. The country has a particularly extensive fibre network and wide mobile coverage. The hard part is choosing a plan that suits your home, the length of your stay and how you use the internet.

Someone moving to Spain for good will not have the same needs as the owner of a second home used a few weeks a year. Likewise, a household that works from home, streams content and uses several devices at once will need a different connection from a traveller who just wants to check messages.

Before signing up, compare coverage at the exact address, the price after the promotional period, the minimum term, installation fees and the documents required. Here are the main points to help you choose an internet contract or a mobile plan in Spain.

How does the internet work in Spain?

Spain has a highly developed digital infrastructure. According to the official 2025 coverage report, published in 2026 by the Spanish ministry in charge of digital transformation, fibre reaches 95.92% of households. In rural areas, it covers 88.95% of homes.

5G mobile coverage reaches more than 99% of the population. These national figures are encouraging, but they do not guarantee that a given technology or operator will be available in every building. Coverage can differ between two neighbouring streets, or even between two buildings in the same area.

In 2025, Spain also finished closing the exchanges that used the old copper network. Fibre, mobile networks and some radio solutions have gradually replaced ADSL.

Fibre is still the go-to option

For a main home or a property used regularly, fibre is usually the most comfortable solution. It offers a stable connection, high speeds and better performance when several devices are in use at the same time.

Operators commonly offer speeds of 300 Mbps, 500 or 600 Mbps, 1 Gbps and sometimes more. In most homes, 300 to 600 Mbps is enough to:

• browse the internet;
• work from home and join video calls;
• watch films and series in high definition;
• use several phones, computers and TVs at the same time;
• back up documents to the cloud;
• make calls over the internet.

A 1 Gbps plan can make sense for a large household, frequent transfers of large files, content creation or heavy professional use. On the other hand, always choosing the top speed is not always useful. The quality of the router, Wi-Fi coverage in the home and how devices are connected also affect performance.

4G and 5G are a flexible alternative

A 4G or 5G connection can temporarily replace fibre, for example when you have just moved in, in a second home or while you wait for a technician.

Several solutions are possible:

• share your phone's connection;
• put a SIM card in a 4G or 5G router;
• use a mobile router supplied by an operator;
• choose a mobile plan with a large data allowance;
• take out a prepaid card for a limited period.

This option has the advantage of being available quickly. It usually requires no work in the home. Its performance does, however, depend on the signal indoors, the number of users connected and any limits in the plan.

Before relying on this solution for remote work, test the mobile signal in several rooms and at different times of day. Excellent coverage on a national map does not always mean a stable connection inside an old building or one with thick walls.

Who are the main internet providers in Spain?

The Spanish market has several national operators as well as many budget brands and regional players. According to data published by the National Markets and Competition Commission (CNMC), Movistar, Vodafone and MasOrange held 81.7% of fixed lines in February 2026. Adding DIGI, their combined share reached 95.3%.

There is, however, no single best operator for the whole of Spain. The choice depends on local coverage, promotions, the quality of customer service and the services you really need.

Here are the main operators to compare:

• Movistar has a vast network and sells fibre-only, fibre with mobile and TV packages. Depending on coverage, it also offers a fixed connection using 5G where fibre is not available. Its offers may suit people looking for a full range and a provider with a strong presence across the country.
• Orange offers fibre, mobile plans and packages combining internet, TV and phone. Orange belongs to the MasOrange group. Make sure you tell the promotional price apart from the rate charged after the first few months.
• Yoigo sells fibre on its own or bundled with one or more mobile lines. Some plans are also designed for second homes.
• MásMóvil offers fixed and mobile contracts, often built around simple plans. The brand also belongs to the MasOrange group, but its prices and terms may differ from those of Orange and Yoigo.
• Vodafone sells fibre, mobile lines and packages that include TV. It also offers solutions using 5G in some areas or for temporary needs.
• Lowi is a Vodafone brand focused on simpler and generally cheaper plans. It can be a good option if you don't need TV or a large bundle of extra services.
• DIGI has become a major player in the Spanish market thanks to competitive prices. Its terms depend, however, on whether its own network reaches the address in question. The same speed can therefore be offered at a different price depending on the area.

Other local operators can be very well established in some regions. They are worth comparing when their offers are available at your address, especially in areas where the big national networks perform less well.

How much does internet cost in Spain?

Prices change regularly and operators make heavy use of temporary promotions. Some fibre-only offers started at around €10 to €30 a month. Packages including one or more mobile lines, TV or streaming platforms were generally more expensive.

An advertised price does not always reflect the real cost of the contract. Before signing, always check:

• the price during the promotion;
• the rate that will apply after the promotion;
• how long the discount lasts;
• whether there is a minimum term;
• activation or installation fees;
• the cost of the router;
• the conditions for returning equipment;
• early termination fees;
• the services actually included;
• any price rises written into the contract.

An offer advertised at €20 for a few months can end up worse value than a contract at €25 with a stable price. To compare properly, work out the total cost over twelve months rather than looking only at the first monthly payment.

How to choose an internet contract in Spain

Your choice should start with how the property will be used. A very complete package may be pointless for an apartment used a few weeks a year. Conversely, a prepaid card is likely to fall short for a family settled in Spain for the long term.

For a main home

Fibre is usually the best choice. Pick a plan suited to the number of users and check the quality of the Wi-Fi in the home.

For everyday use, a speed of 300 to 600 Mbps is often enough. If the home is large, it may be more useful to invest in a repeater, a mesh Wi-Fi system or a good router than to pay for a top speed that is poorly spread across the rooms.

Also look at the minimum term. Some fibre offers have none, while others require you to stay several months in exchange for installation, the router or a discount.

For a second home

A second home calls for a different approach. It rarely makes sense to pay all year for a full package if the property stays empty for several months.

Depending on how often you use it, you can choose:

• a fibre offer designed specifically for second homes;
• a contract with no minimum term;
• a plan that can be suspended temporarily;
• a 4G or 5G router;
• a prepaid SIM card;
• sharing the connection from a phone.

Also think about security systems, cameras, alarms or smart home devices that need to stay connected while you are away. In that case, a fixed connection or a permanent mobile plan with little data may be better than a solution you only switch on during the holidays.

For a short stay

For a few days or weeks, a prepaid SIM card or an eSIM is often simpler than a fixed contract. It gives you mobile data quickly without waiting for fibre to be installed.

Before buying, check:

• how much data is included;
• how long the credit is valid;
• whether you can top up online;
• the operator's coverage in your area;
• whether tethering is allowed;
• how the eSIM works on your phone;
• the identity checks required for activation.

Travellers who work remotely should plan a backup. It can be wise to have a second SIM card on another network, or to find a coworking space nearby in advance.

How to sign up for internet in Spain

You can usually sign up online, by phone or in a shop. Conditions and required documents vary by operator, offer and customer status.

Check coverage at the exact address

Start by entering the full address of the property on each operator's website. Don't rely on a general coverage map. You need to check whether the building, and if possible the apartment number, is eligible.

Compare at least two or three operators on the same criteria:

• same type of connection;
• similar speed;
• standard and promotional price;
• same minimum term;
• installation fees;
• services included;
• the time quoted for installation.

If you are buying a property, ask the seller or the previous occupant which operator they used. A fibre socket does not guarantee that every provider can activate its service straight away, but this information can make things easier.

Prepare your documents

To sign up, operators may ask for:

• an ID card or a passport;
• the exact installation address;
• a phone number and an email address;
• a payment method;
• a bank statement;
• a Spanish identification number;
• sometimes an additional document.

The NIE is often required for fixed-line or mobile contracts. However, don't assume that every offer applies exactly the same conditions. Some prepaid plans are easier to get when you have just arrived and haven't finished all your paperwork.

A bank account in Spain can make direct debits easier. Within the SEPA area, an IBAN from another European country may sometimes be accepted, but practice varies. It is best to ask for confirmation before you place your order.

Arrange the installation

When work is needed, the operator offers an appointment with a technician, who checks the connection, installs or activates the fibre socket and sets up the router.

Before the technician arrives:

• make sure you can access the common areas if needed;
• find where the fibre socket is;
• choose a central spot for the router;
• check there is a power socket;
• get the owner's approval if any work is needed;
• keep the technician's contact details and the order reference.

After installation, test the connection near the router and then in the different rooms. A lower speed over Wi-Fi than over an Ethernet cable does not necessarily mean a problem with the fibre. It can come from distance, walls or the quality of the wireless network.

Which mobile plan should you choose in Spain?

The right mobile plan depends on the length of your stay, how much data you use and whether you need to keep a Spanish number in the long term.

Prepaid card or mobile contract?

A prepaid card suits short stays or people who have just arrived. It usually avoids a minimum term and helps you control spending. You do, however, need to top up the line and check the conditions for keeping the number.

A mobile contract is more practical for a long-term move. It can include more data, national calls and sometimes discounts when combined with home fibre.

Compare in particular:

• the number of gigabytes;
• the speed reduction once the allowance is used up;
• calls and texts;
• the price after the promotion;
• the minimum term;
• roaming;
• international calls;
• whether you can use an eSIM;
• the conditions for porting your number.

Are unlimited mobile plans really unlimited?

The phrase “unlimited data” can cover different conditions. Some operators reduce speed beyond a certain volume or keep top speed for the first gigabytes used.

Also check whether tethering is allowed without limits. A plan designed for a smartphone is not necessarily meant to power all the devices in a home all the time.

The data you can use while roaming in the European Union may also be lower than your allowance in Spain. Read the terms of your plan if you travel regularly between your home country and Spain.

Can you keep your home phone number in Spain?

You can keep your home number while using a Spanish line. This is often recommended so that you keep receiving calls and verification codes for accounts in your home country.

However, relying only on a plan from home once you have settled in Spain can lead to restrictions or extra charges.

Understanding the EU roaming rule

EU rules let you use a plan from another EU country (Ireland, Germany or the Netherlands, for example) in Spain from time to time at no extra cost, within the limits of your contract. Calls, texts and data are then counted as they would be at home. UK and US plans are not covered: check your operator's roaming terms.

This system is meant for periodic travel, not for permanent use abroad. Under the EU roaming rules, the operator can monitor your usage over four months. If the customer spends more time and uses more services in Spain than in their home country, they may be contacted. Extra charges can then apply if the situation continues.

So it is not advisable to get around this rule by regularly switching operators at home. This makes managing your number harder and does not guarantee you will avoid restrictions.

Use dual SIM or an eSIM

The most practical solution is often to use two lines on the same phone:

• a line from home to keep your usual number;
• a Spanish line for local calls and mobile data.

Many phones accept two SIM cards, or a physical card plus an eSIM. You can choose which line to use for calls, messages and data.

Before taking out an eSIM, check that your phone is compatible and not locked to a former operator. Also keep the details you need to reactivate the line if you change phones.

Use a second-number app

Apps such as Onoff or Sideline let you manage a second number on a single device.

This can be useful for keeping personal and work calls separate. Check before signing up, though, as not all services offer the same countries or types of number. Some virtual numbers do not work properly for receiving verification texts sent by a bank, a public authority or an online service.

The old link to Skype's online number is no longer recommended: it now redirects to Microsoft Teams and no longer meets the need described in this article.

How to get internet as soon as you arrive in Spain

Fibre installation can take a while depending on the operator, the property and technician availability. So it is best to plan a temporary connection.

You can:

• buy a prepaid SIM card when you arrive;
• activate an eSIM before you travel;
• use your phone's hotspot;
• rent or buy a 4G/5G router;
• choose a mobile plan with no minimum term;
• use the Wi-Fi of a coworking space for a while.

If you need the internet for work, avoid depending on a single solution. A phone with a second SIM card can act as a backup connection if the fibre goes down.

In a rented property, also ask whether a connection is already active. Sometimes a contract is included in the rent or the owner prefers to keep it in their name.

Mistakes to avoid before signing up

An internet offer can look simple, but a few checks will help you avoid most unpleasant surprises:

• don't choose an operator without checking the exact address;
• don't rely only on the promotional price;
• don't sign up for a needlessly high speed;
• don't ignore the minimum term;
• don't assume installation and the router are always free;
• don't forget to check the price after the first few months;
• don't use a plan from home as your only line during a long stay in Spain;
• don't choose a virtual number app without checking it receives verification texts;
• don't return the router without keeping proof of return;
• don't cancel your old contract before you have a new connection in place.