EsuriJohn

What do members think is the current best value and useable eSim for Spain? Also with UK use for trips back to UK for several weeks.

Snapper2000

it's not PAYG but Lebara do monthly packages that are free of contract ties.
https://lebaraspain.es/

bobd22

I don't know if this is what you are after John it's a virtual SIM. I use Moremins to make UK calls at quite low cost. Never had any issues or problems but I don't know anything about virtual Sims other than that they do them. Here's a linkhttps://www.moremins.com/en/esim

Eric S

We use másmóvil. They have a very cheap PAYG plans, and I believe they have eSIMs. We also like it because you can park your phone number for 1 euro per month if you are out of Spain and/or are using a different SIM for a while.

- Eroc S.

rbs_gb

So much depends on what you actually need in terms of calls, internet and roaming but there is a tariff "Habla 6" with Movistar that costs zero. The only condition is that you add 5 euros to the balance every six months, and you pay for calls and data on demand, with options to add data or minute packages as you go. If the requirement is to have a mobile phone fundamentally for incoming calls on a Spanish number, it is hard to beat.

bobd22

I'm a little confused the question is re "e Sims" which as far as I understand is different altogether to a standard SIM card? There are various options with standard Sims prepay contract or whatever. My wife has a masmovil SIM she pays 5 euros and gets 6gb data 200 Spanish national minutes but she can use 100 of those minutes for international calls. That is PAYG she just tops it up every month. My understanding is an e SIM is not a physical card but some system that allows the mobile to make and receive calls without a physical SIM. Hence the link I put on earlier. How it all works I havent a clue as it not something I do. I use a dual SIM phone with a Spanish SIM for Spain and UK PAYG SIM to mainly receive UK calls. To make UK calls I use the app more mins which allows me to call using my Spanish SIM and free minutes for just 2 cents per minute. I find it an easy and cost effective method. I will add I really only use the phone when essential.

rbs_gb

Your understanding is right, The advantage of an esim is being able to have multiple sims in the phone at once, and not being limited to just one or two physical sim slots in the phone. It has advantages if you travel to different countries. Let's say you move between the UK and Spain, you could have two esims, one for each country and leave the physical slot free. Then, wherever you go in the world, you could add a normal sim to use local networks without disturbing your esims, although you may be limited to only having two lines active at any one time. esims also have advantages in reducing the power consumption of the phone.

UKMS

Vodafone offer esims (you have to visit a store with ID to get the QR code).

The PAYG packages are pretty decent starting at €10 pm. You get UK (and EU) roaming included and calls from Spain to many countries. I also discovered today that they have a customer service number dedicated to non Spanish speakers, who were extremely helpful. In fact the PAYG deals are currently better than contracts with Vodafone.

I’ve researched Esims to death in Spain and many of the telcos don’t provide them or only to contract customers.

As mentioned above esims are perfect if you travel or regularly use multiple lines. I have 3 active lines on esim and can use 2 at any one time on my iphone. With the option to pop a physical sim if I need to.

astera

eSIMS aren't that popular here yet, but give it time and even all the prepaid options will have them.

For your Spanish SIM would you like to use it to make calls to the UK and possibly other countries as well? This is probably the easiest way to filter what offers would be best for you as some networks will allow you to call the UK as part of your included minutes whereas others will want to charge you separately for international calls.

bobd22

Digi Mobile https://www.digimobil.es/movil/ do reasonable PAYG standard SIM cards that have inclusive national international calls and data included. On the site look at movil combi page for options.

astera

Yes, the Digi Combo tariff is the best one if you make international calls as ALL your included minutes can be used both locally and internationally to like 60 countries.

I believe 10 Euros gets you 400 minutes and 20 GB monthly, and there are higher options for heavy users: 15 Euros for 800 mins (& 50 GB), 20 Euros for 2,000 minutes (and 100 GB), or 25 Euros for unlimited everything...

bobd22

I also believe you can roll over unused data?

UKMS

I assume there is a reason the OP asked about esims.

Many of the telcos PAYG plans are broadly the same and pretty competitive these days. (I’ve recently researched them to death for myself)

I think the important part really is whether you get the coverage of a particular provider where you live/work. It’s all well and good saving a couple of euros if the network coverage is rubbish where you need to use it.

bobd22

Yes very true. I agree re original question re e Sims and commented previously on that. I presume e Sims also operate on different networks? So the signal and reception will apply the same.

UKMS

Yes esims operate on whichever networks provide them, which is slightly limited at the moment and more so with the virtual/secondary operators, but nevertheless are easy to find.

I know I’ve been harping on about Vodafone ES but if they have good coverage where you need it Vodafone are hard to beat at the moment. (And they do esims 😁)