Spanish SIM Card for International Students: Get a +34 Number Online

Spanish Phone Number (+34) — Digital Key

- When? 4–5 months before departure, from the country of origin.

- Why? It is the first mandatory step. All residency forms and secure applications of traditional Spanish banks require a number of exactly 9 digits (Spanish format) to send the SMS-OTP security codes. Without it, the computer systems block you.

- How is it done legally? According to the Spanish law Ley 25/2007, anonymous cards are prohibited. The student buys a prepaid plan (Prepago) online via eSIM (Vodafone, Orange/Simyo, Yoigo) or orders a physical card from Amazon. Identification is officially done with the Passport.

For students to get an all-inclusive eSIM online from home – meaning plenty of mobile data, a Spanish phone number (+34) and international calls included to stay in touch with family – the absolute best options that eliminate the need for a home address in Spain are the local Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) in Spain.

Here’s the exact plan for a student to buy, check and activate an all-inclusive Spanish eSIM from anywhere on the planet, before they even pack their bags.

Option 1: Lebara Spain (Best for non-EU and EU students)

Lebara operates on the Vodafone network (great 5G coverage) and specializes in international and expat students. Their prepaid plans (Prepago) are completely all-inclusive.

Option 2: Lycamobile Spain (Best for high data volume + international minutes)

Lycamobile operates on the Yoigo/MasOrange network. It is a direct competitor to Lebara and offers similar all-inclusive prepaid packages.

Option 3: Simyo Spain (Best for pure data and local flexibility)
Simyo works on the Orange network. It is ideal if the student is not interested in traditional minutes for international calls (preferring WhatsApp/FaceTime) and just wants cheap, high-speed local data and a Spanish number.

Step-by-step guide: How to buy from home

1. Visit the Spanish version of the site: Go directly to lebara.es, lycamobile.es or simyo.es (use Google Chrome's automatic translation feature if necessary, as some local prepaid payment processes are only in Spanish).
2. Select "Prepago" (Prepaid) and eSIM: Choose the all-inclusive package. Make sure to select eSIM and NOT "Tarjeta SIM física".
3. Fill in the address form:
- Calle (Street): [Enter the name of the university street]
- Número: [Number of the university building]
- Código Postal (Postal Code): University postal code, e.g. 28040 for Madrid Complutense
- Ciudad: University city, e.g. Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia
4. Upload document: Take a clear, glare-free photo of the photo page of your passport or EU ID card (front and back). The system will automatically analyze the data to comply with Spanish security laws.

5. Pay and activate: Pay using a standard international card (Revolut, Wise or a bank card from your home country).

6. Scan the QR code: Check your email. Scan the QR code provided with your phone's camera while connected to your home Wi-Fi network. The Spanish line will download and remain inactive until the plane lands in Spain, where it will instantly connect to the local network.

Option 4: Sim Local ES (Best internet)

To purchase and activate an eSIM from Sim Local for Spain as an international student, you do not need any physical documents or visas, as the process is completely online.

Sim Local ES (Best internet)

To purchase and activate an eSIM from Sim Local for Spain as an international student, you do not need any physical documents or visas, as the process is completely online.
However, you must meet some strict technical and legal requirements before purchasing:
1. Required technical specifications

- Unlocked phone on any network: Your device must not be restricted by a mobile operator (not locked to the network).
- eSIM compatibility: Your phone must support eSIM technology (for example: iPhone XS or later, Samsung Galaxy S20 or later, Google Pixel 3 or later).

2. Information required upon purchase
When purchasing the plan from the Sim Local website or app, you will only need to provide:

- A valid email address: To receive the activation QR code and instructions.
- A digital payment method: Credit/debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay.

3. Important exception (Spanish law)
If you choose a standard Local Sim plan (which only offers internet data), you do not need a passport or ID.
If the chosen plan also includes a local Spanish phone number for calls and SMS, Spanish law (Law 25/2007) prohibits anonymous cards. In this specific case, during activation you will be asked for:

- Valid passport or ID card (C.I.).

- A selfie photo for identity verification.

Buy now Sim Local ES

Lebara Spain (Best for non-EU and EU students)

Lebara operates on the Vodafone network (great 5G coverage) and specializes in international and expat students. Their prepaid plans (Prepago) are completely all-inclusive.

- What you get: Massive data volume (e.g. 50GB to 150GB), unlimited national calls, and hundreds of included minutes to international destinations (covering Europe, Latin America, North America, and parts of Asia).

- How to bypass the address: When completing your online order, use the official address of your Spanish university or original hostel/hotel. Since it is an eSIM, no physical correspondence is sent.

- ID requirements: Accepts all international passports and EU national IDs in digital format.

- Payment: Accepts foreign credit/debit cards and PayPal.