Spain eSIM: islands, Gibraltar and Morocco
Spain is a big country with islands, and many trips never leave it. When they do, it is usually to places that sit awkwardly between plans: Gibraltar, Andorra, Morocco across the strait, or Portugal next door. Here is how to choose without paying for coverage you won't use.
Spain only: the Spain plan
Madrid and Barcelona by high-speed train, a road trip through Andalucía from Seville, or a week on the beach. If you stay in Spain, start with the Spain eSIM. You aren't paying for borders you won't cross. Compare its per-GB figure with the Europe page if you want to be sure.
Networks, plan sizes and the trip-by-usage table are in the Spain eSIM guide.
The islands
The Balearics and the Canaries are part of Spain, and our city guides cover Palma de Mallorca, Ibiza, Tenerife and Gran Canaria. The Canary Islands sit off the coast of Africa, and some coverage lists, including our global one, name them separately from Spain. The Spain plan's coverage just says Spain. For a Canaries trip, check the Spain page, and if you want certainty, email hello@e-sim.net before you pay.
The borders that change the answer
Portugal
Seville to the Algarve, Galicia to Porto, or Madrid to Lisbon by bus or plane. Portugal is on both the EU & UK and Europe lists, so either regional plan covers a two-country trip. For that combination, EU & UK is enough.
Gibraltar
From Málaga or the Costa del Sol, Gibraltar is a popular day out. It is not in the EU, so it isn't on the EU & UK list. At the time of writing the Europe eSIM includes Gibraltar. Near the frontier your phone may also see Spanish and Gibraltar networks at once, so if data drops, pick a network manually in settings.
Andorra
Andorra, up in the Pyrenees from Barcelona, has its own page in our catalog and isn't on the Europe coverage list at the time of writing. If you are skiing or shopping there for more than a few hours, check the Andorra page.
Morocco
Ferries from Tarifa and Algeciras make Tangier an easy day trip, and some travellers carry on for a week. Morocco is in neither European regional plan. It has its own Morocco page, or, for a longer multi-region trip, see when a global eSIM makes sense. You can keep two eSIMs installed and switch the data line when you cross.
France
Barcelona to the French Catalan coast, or the Basque Country from Bilbao to Biarritz: France is on both regional plans.
The rule of thumb
- Spain only, mainland or Balearics: Spain plan. Canaries: check with us first.
- Spain plus Portugal, France or another EU country: EU & UK.
- Spain plus Gibraltar, or anywhere outside the EU and UK in Europe: Europe.
- Spain plus Morocco: a second eSIM for Morocco, or a global plan.
The full list of awkward borders is in Europe, EU & UK or one country.
How much data for Spain
Our recommender uses 0.2 GB a day for maps and messaging, 0.5 GB for socials and photos, and 1.3 GB for streaming or hotspot, then adds 15% headroom.
- Five days in Barcelona, posting every day: 2.5 GB, about 2.9 GB with headroom.
- A 10-day Andalucía road trip on maps and messaging: 2 GB, about 2.3 GB with headroom.
- Two weeks on the beach, streaming at night: 18.2 GB, about 21 GB with headroom. An unlimited plan, with the daily high-speed cap shown on the plan line, can be simpler here.
More examples: how much data you need.
Before you go
If your phone plan is from the EU, roam-like-at-home rules already cover Spain within your plan's fair-use terms. From elsewhere, roaming is on your carrier's terms; avoiding roaming charges explains the options. To set up, pay with Apple Pay, Google Pay or card, and install from the link (iPhone) or QR code on the install page while you're on Wi-Fi at home. The plan starts when your phone first connects in Spain.
Questions
Does the Spain eSIM cover Gibraltar?
No, Gibraltar is a separate destination. The Europe eSIM includes Gibraltar at the time of writing; the EU & UK plan does not.
Will my Spain eSIM work in the Canary Islands?
The Canaries are part of Spain, but some coverage lists name them separately. Email hello@e-sim.net before you buy if you want us to confirm.
Which eSIM for Spain and Portugal?
The EU & UK eSIM covers both, as does the Europe eSIM. A Spain plan alone won't work in Portugal.
Can I use the same eSIM in Morocco?
Not with a Spain or European regional plan. Add a Morocco eSIM and switch your data line when you cross, or use a global plan.