Mobile operators in Spain: networks, plans and coverage compared
Good news: Spain has one of the most competitive mobile markets in Europe, which means excellent coverage, fair prices and plenty of choice. With over 62.5 million active mobile lines in a country of around 49 million people, operators are constantly fighting for your business, and that works in your favour. Whether you've just arrived and need to get connected quickly, or you've been here a while and fancy a better deal, this guide walks you through everything you need to know.
The main mobile network operators in Spain
Spain has three main network groups — known as Mobile Network Operators or MNOs: Movistar, MasOrange (which includes Orange, Yoigo and MásMóvil) and Vodafone. Together they account for 86.4% of all mobile lines in the country, according to the CNMC. The rest is covered by virtual operators (MVNOs), which run on these three networks and typically offer lower prices.
Spain has three main network groups, known as Mobile Network Operators or MNOs: Movistar, MasOrange (which includes Orange, MásMóvil and Yoigo) and Vodafone. Together they account for 86.4% of all mobile lines in the country, according to the CNMC. The rest is covered by virtual operators (MVNOs), which run on these three networks and typically offer lower prices.
| Operator | Starting price | Typical data | Unlimited? | Contract | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Movistar | €20.00 | 50-100 GB | Yes | No | Premium quality |
| Orange | €15.00 | 20-100 GB | Yes | No | Best balance |
| Vodafone | €11.00 | 25-150 GB | Yes | No | Heavy users |
| Yoigo | €8.00 | 10-80 GB | Yes | No | Budget |
| MásMóvil | €4.90 | 15-100 GB | No | No | Budget |
Movistar
Movistar is Telefónica's Spanish brand and the operator with the best coverage in the country, full stop. Its 4G network reaches virtually everywhere: cities, rural areas, mountain regions, the Canary Islands and the Balearics. According to the Opensignal Spain report (February 2025), it wins 8 awards outright, leading on download and upload speeds in both 4G and 5G, and is the only operator in Spain in the Very Good bracket for video streaming. On 5G, its advanced 5G+ network already covers around 91% of the population. The trade-off is price: it's typically the most expensive of the four.
- Best for: unbeatable national coverage, fastest speeds on the market and the best video streaming experience according to Opensignal.
- Worth knowing: the priciest of the four main operators.
Vodafone
Vodafone launched 5G in Spain first, back in 2019, and its network experience has only strengthened since. According to the Opensignal Spain report (February 2025), it wins five categories outright: network reliability (906/1,000 points), gaming on both 4G and 5G, and voice app quality, WhatsApp calls, Zoom, and so on. It's also the only operator active in Spain recognised in the Opensignal Global Awards 2026, earning Global Leader status for upload speed alongside operators from Finland, Japan and Malaysia. For a more affordable route to the same network, its budget brand Lowi is one of the best-value options in Spain.
- Best for: best network reliability in Spain, top for gaming and voice apps, and the only Spanish operator in the Opensignal Global Awards 2026.
- Worth knowing: prices are slightly above average; without a promotion it can struggle to match budget MVNOs on price.
MasOrange: Orange, MásMóvil and Yoigo
MasOrange is the group formed after the 2024 merger of Orange and MásMóvil, which also includes Yoigo. Together they make up Spain's largest mobile group by number of lines. Orange, the group's premium brand, ties with Movistar for network availability in the Opensignal 2025 report: both reach 98.9% of time connected, the joint best result in the country. The group's 5G network covers around 90% of the population across more than 3,700 municipalities. Orange also offers tourist prepaid plans available at airports with no NIE required, making it one of the easiest options for newcomers.
MásMóvil and Yoigo are the group's more affordable brands, running on the same MasOrange infrastructure. Yoigo's own legacy network was shut down in 2025, so both brands now share Orange's coverage: 4G at 99% of the population and 5G across 3,700+ municipalities. If you're on a budget, either brand offers solid coverage at a lower entry price than Orange or Movistar. The budget sub-brand Simyo also runs on the same network and is worth a look for even more flexibility.
- Best for: network availability on a par with Movistar, tourist plans at airports (Orange), and the most affordable entry-level options among the main operators (MásMóvil and Yoigo).
- Worth knowing: coverage in very remote rural areas is slightly behind Movistar, and MásMóvil and Yoigo have fewer physical customer service locations than the other operators.
Mobile network coverage in Spain
Mobile coverage in Spain is genuinely excellent: 4G reaches over 99% of the population and all four operators now have 5G deployed across roughly 90% of the country. The differences only really show up in rural areas, mountains and the islands, where Movistar is the clear leader. It's the only operator whose 4G reliably reaches small villages and remote terrain. In cities, Orange, Vodafone and Movistar are effectively neck and neck. On 5G specifically, Vodafone leads on real-world performance while Orange and Movistar lead on time connected.
Operator |
Network availability |
5G coverage (population) |
Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
Movistar |
98.9% (joint 1st with Orange) |
~91% (5G+) |
Rural areas, mountains, islands, speed |
Orange |
98.9% (joint 1st with Movistar) |
~90% / +3,700 municipalities |
Availability, urban and suburban coverage |
Vodafone |
97.9–98% |
~90% / +3,700 municipalities |
5G performance, reliability, gaming, voice |
Yoigo |
97.9–98% |
~90% (MasOrange network) |
City coverage, competitive pricing |
Sources: Opensignal Mobile Network Experience Spain, February 2025 (network availability) · Movistar, Orange and Vodafone official data, 2025 (5G coverage)
Mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) in Spain
Virtual operators rent network capacity from the main three groups and sell plans under their own brands, usually at lower prices, since they don't have the overhead of shops and infrastructure. Spain has over 50 registered MVNOs. The one to know is Lowi, Vodafone's own budget brand, which gives you full Vodafone network quality at a noticeably lower price. During peak hours, MVNO customers may occasionally get lower network priority than direct customers, though most people never notice.
Virtual operator |
Network used |
Best for |
Starting price (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
Lowi |
Vodafone |
Budget / residents |
~€5/month |
O2 |
Movistar |
Budget / residents |
~€7/month |
Simyo |
Orange |
Flexible / tourists |
~€3.50/month |
Pepephone |
Movistar / Vodafone |
Quality of service |
~€7/month |
Types of mobile plans in Spain
You've got two options. Prepaid means topping up every 28-30 days: no contract, no NIE needed, no bank account. It's the go-to if you've just arrived or you're only staying short-term. The cost per GB is higher, but the flexibility is worth it early on. Contract gives you a fixed monthly fee with more data for your money, but requires a NIE or TIE and a Spanish bank account. Most operators now offer contracts with no minimum term, so you're not tied in.
If you're also looking for home broadband internet, combining both with the same provider often results in a better deal; check out the best broadband providers in Spain.
Which mobile operator is best for you?
- Best coverage: Movistar. If you live outside a city, travel frequently by road or just want a signal everywhere, mountains, islands, rural Spain, Movistar is the one. No other operator comes close.
- Best reliability and 5G: Vodafone. City-based and use your phone heavily, calls, gaming, streaming, working on the go? Vodafone wins on the metrics that matter day to day, and it's the only operator active in Spain in the Opensignal Global Awards 2026.
- Best value: Orange or Lowi. Orange hits the sweet spot between coverage, reliability and price among the big operators. If you want to go cheaper without sacrificing network quality, Lowi, Vodafone's budget brand, is the MVNO we'd recommend first.
- Best for tourists and short stays: Orange. Tourist prepaid plans at airports, no paperwork, great coverage in tourist areas. Easiest option to get up and running from day one.
- Best for newly arrived expats: Yoigo or Lowi. Yoigo has competitive entry-level plans while you get settled. Once you have your NIE, switching to Lowi on a contract is usually the most cost-effective move.
Frequently asked questions about mobile operators in Spain
Which is the best mobile network in Spain?
It depends what you need. For coverage, especially outside cities, Movistar is the undisputed leader. For reliability and real-world performance, gaming, calls, video, Vodafone comes out on top according to Opensignal, and it's the only operator active in Spain in the 2026 Global Awards. For value, Orange leads among the big operators and Lowi among MVNOs.
What is the cheapest mobile plan in Spain?
Virtual operators offer the lowest entry prices, with plans from Lowi and Simyo starting from around €5 per month. Among the main operators, Yoigo tends to have the lowest starting prices. For the best data-to-price ratio overall, Lowi is hard to beat.
How many mobile operators are there in Spain?
There are three main network groups: Movistar, MasOrange (which includes Orange, MásMóvil and Yoigo) and Vodafone. On top of that, there are over 50 virtual operators registered with the CNMC, all running on one of those three networks.
Do I need a NIE to get a mobile plan in Spain?
Not for a prepaid plan: any valid ID will do, including a passport. For a contract you'll need a NIE or TIE and a Spanish bank account. If you haven't got your NIE yet, start on prepaid and switch once you're sorted.
Can I use my Spanish mobile plan in other European countries?
Yes. All Spanish plans include Roam Like at Home across the EEA: use your data and minutes in France, Germany, Portugal or anywhere in the bloc at domestic prices. That said, fair use policies apply. Under EEE regulations, operators must guarantee a minimum roaming data allowance — calculated based on your monthly fee — but they are permitted to cap it, even on unlimited plans. If you spend significantly more time roaming than using your plan in Spain, your operator may also apply additional charges. In practice, for occasional travel this makes no difference, but if you're planning to use a Spanish plan as your primary connection while living abroad long-term, it's worth checking the specific roaming conditions with your operator first.