Hello

I'm moving to Spain next week, and am looking to get set up with a pre-paid number. Can I do this before I arrive via an eSim? Any tips would be appreciated.

More controls here in Spain than UK when getting a conventional SIM and I imagine an eSim also.

You have to show ID to get a SIM.

Perhaps you can do all online, so your best friend is google...

Doubtful, you need to provide photo proof of ID before any SIM card is issued.

No 'burner' phones in Spain!

You can use your UK mobile until you get a Spanish one.

From your question I'm wondering if you really understand what an eSIM is?

https://cellulardata.ubigi.com/help-...at-is-an-esim/

I'm coming from UAE.

Very much know what one it is. I need to maintain a UAE and a Spain number on an iphone. This is possible with an eSim.

So the question is do I get the eSim in Spain or UAE. Sounds like I'll just get the eSim here and the physical one in Spain. Had hoped to buy it online (which you can for may eSims but they are often data only) just to get the number before I arrive.

Thanks for the link, if you scroll down you can order an esim from them (on compatible phones) ....


https://cellulardata.ubigi.com/mobile-devices/get-esim/

including an explanatory video....

You will need to make sure your phone is unlocked to use and eSim. I have an iPhone 13 and my U.K. EE contract number is an eSim and my Spanish Vodafone number is a physical sim. U.K. phones are all locked by default for the first 6 months of any contract.

You can get a Spanish SIM card from Amazon.Es without problem and you don’t need ID.

https://www.amazon.es/s?k=sim+card+e...s_ts-doa-p_6_8

Once unlocked on an iPhone the operation is seamless. I use The Spanish sim for data when in Spain and around the EU and the EE sim in the U.K. and they can switch back and forward automatically. Call reception is transparent on either number.

.

Thank you - what was confusing me was if these data sims for Spain also did voice.

Thanks for the tip about unlocking. Almost all phones in Dubai are unlocked (we buy handsets not contracts)

You will need ID to activate it.

Yep, just a passport number.

So why did you say that you didn’t need ID?
,

I answered the question, you can buy a sim online without ID. You don’t need photo ID and you don’t need to provide any ID to buy it. You register the sim put your passport number in and it’s active. I got a Vodafone sim for my wife recently.

Fred is right. You are right that a photo ID is not required but I don't think Fred ever said that it was. The law can be found at:
https://www.boe.es/buscar/act.php?la...-18243&tn=1&p=

Is it possible to buy a Vodafone SIM card online and later activate it by just providing a passport number : yes
Is it legal: no

I will eat my hat if you bought the SIM direct from Vodafone online and they activated it just on inputting a passport number. This is illegal and if you check the law above I think you will find it is considered a serious or very serious criminal offence..

Yes loads of resellers of Vodafone cards ( and all the others ) exist on line who openly promote they will activate it on just an ID number. They use different tricks to do this and exploit a loophole in the Law. Been going on for years.

Best
Loco


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