eSim
Dec 22nd 2021, 7:34 pm
#16
Forum Regular
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 288
Re: eSim
Originally Posted by Loco
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
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
Dec 22nd 2021, 9:07 pm
#17
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 606
Re: eSim
According to the link above:
So activating a SIM giving your name, nationality, and passport number seems fine to me.
La identificación se efectuará mediante documento acreditativo de la personalidad, haciéndose constar en el libro-registro el nombre, apellidos y nacionalidad del comprador, así como el número correspondiente al documento identificativo utilizado y la naturaleza o denominación de dicho documento.
Last edited by DLC; Dec 22nd 2021 at 9:10 pm.
Dec 26th 2021, 8:13 am
#19
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 4,963
Re: eSim
Funny enough I have just changed mobile provider from Hits. I asked for the new provider to transfer my number to the new SIM. No problem they said. However there is a problem as they say the Hits SIM isn't in my name? All the details on my online Hits account are in my name I've had the sim about 4 years even had a new SIM sent in my name to my address when Hits updated Sims about 2 years ago. On checking my account I did notice the telephone numbers recorded are different to mine and refer to landline. I can only assume that the shop I bought it from which I'll add is shown as official Hits dealer has somehow set the sim up under their details with me as a user ? I wasn't aware and have ran the sim account as mine. I have provided the details of the seller to the new SIM provider who are going to contact the Hits SIM shop and hopefully get details to sort it out so I can switch the old number to the new SIM. All very confusing.
Dec 26th 2021, 2:18 pm
#22
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 349
Re: eSim
It's not. It's as part of the clause you posted from my link states. .....La identificación se efectuará mediante documento acreditativo de la personalidad......
Best
Loco
Best
Loco
Originally Posted by DLC
According to the link above:
So activating a SIM giving your name, nationality, and passport number seems fine to me.
So activating a SIM giving your name, nationality, and passport number seems fine to me.
Dec 26th 2021, 3:55 pm
#24
Forum Regular
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 288
Re: eSim
Originally Posted by Loco
With the greatest respect the link isn't my interpretation of the Law...... It is the Law !
Best
Loco
Best
Loco
Identification will be made by means of a document proving personality, stating in the book-registration the name, surname and nationality of the buyer, as well as the number corresponding to the identification document used and the nature or name of said document.
https://www.citylifemadrid.com/findi...time-in-spain/
Last edited by airways; Dec 26th 2021 at 4:02 pm.
Dec 28th 2021, 8:13 pm
#25
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 606
Re: eSim
"La identificación se efectuará mediante documento acreditativo de la personalidad"
But there's nothing that says it the document has to be shown in person or the customer has to upload a scan of it, all it says is that that's the document that the customer will be ID'd with and it then goes on to say what data from the document will be stored in the teleco's database.
But there's nothing that says it the document has to be shown in person or the customer has to upload a scan of it, all it says is that that's the document that the customer will be ID'd with and it then goes on to say what data from the document will be stored in the teleco's database.
Dec 28th 2021, 11:30 pm
#26
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 349
Re: eSim
Of couse.
Others have already posted the relevant clause in the Law I first highlighted and posted a link to.
In addition you will find much the same under a disposition in the same law that specifically deals with Pre Paid cards. Just go to the link I provided and search for this :
I think you are confusing contract and pay and go sims. You certainly need a at least an NIE for a contract but for pay and go a passport is quite sufficient as everyone who has one will attest to.
https://www.citylifemadrid.com/findi...time-in-spain/
Others have already posted the relevant clause in the Law I first highlighted and posted a link to.
In addition you will find much the same under a disposition in the same law that specifically deals with Pre Paid cards. Just go to the link I provided and search for this :
Disposición adicional única. Servicios de telefonía mediante tarjetas de prepago
[size=13px]Best[/size]
[size=13px]Loco[/size]
[size=13px]
Originally Posted by airways
Where exactly does it say it in the law? I have translated it and can’t see it. If you could be so kind as to help out with the specific part you refer to it would be really helpful.[/size]
Originally Posted by airways
Where exactly does it say it in the law? I have translated it and can’t see it. If you could be so kind as to help out with the specific part you refer to it would be really helpful.[/size]
Originally Posted by airways
I think you are confusing contract and pay and go sims. You certainly need a at least an NIE for a contract but for pay and go a passport is quite sufficient as everyone who has one will attest to.
https://www.citylifemadrid.com/findi...time-in-spain/
Last edited by Loco; Dec 28th 2021 at 11:35 pm.
Dec 29th 2021, 1:00 am
#27
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 349
Re: eSim
Going back to the OPs question and the thread title they could have acquired an eSim before they arrived in Spain and activated it so long as thier phone was compatible.
I don't see the point. The provider mentioned in subsequent posts is legit and ultimately owned by a huge multi national. Their contract is based on French Law so proving ID etc is at least as strict as Spain if not harder and likely to be inforced.
Thier fees are also eye watering and the service offered very limited.
For someone who needs large amounts of data roaming and travels rapidly and extensively worldwide were WiFi isn't freely available I guess it may make sense but otherwise I really can't see it as worthwhile.
Best
Loco
I don't see the point. The provider mentioned in subsequent posts is legit and ultimately owned by a huge multi national. Their contract is based on French Law so proving ID etc is at least as strict as Spain if not harder and likely to be inforced.
Thier fees are also eye watering and the service offered very limited.
For someone who needs large amounts of data roaming and travels rapidly and extensively worldwide were WiFi isn't freely available I guess it may make sense but otherwise I really can't see it as worthwhile.
Best
Loco
Dec 29th 2021, 1:53 pm
#28
Forum Regular
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 288
Re: eSim
My wife’s Vodafone sim is €10 a month. 900 minutes of calls and 15gb data which rolls over as long as you top up €10 each month. She currently has around 90gb of rolled over data. Pretty good value. It was registered on her passport and she has no problems with it so I will leave the barrack room lawyers to argue amongst themselves on the legality as I am certain in the real world nobody actually gives a toss…
