Prepaid vs contract SIM cards in Spain

Overview

One of the first decisions when getting a Spanish phone number is whether to go prepaid (pay-as-you-go) or sign a postpaid contract. Each suits a different stage of settling in, and the right choice often changes once you're more established.

Requirements

• Prepaid SIMs generally require only a passport for identity verification
• Contract (postpaid) plans generally require an NIE and a Spanish bank account for direct debit

Step-by-step process

• Consider a prepaid SIM first if you've just arrived and don't yet have an NIE or Spanish bank account
• Top up your prepaid balance online, via app, or at kiosks and supermarkets, as needed
• Once you have your paperwork in order, compare postpaid contract plans — they're usually cheaper per GB for regular, ongoing use
• Switch from prepaid to a contract with the same or a different provider once ready, keeping your number via portability if you wish

Required documents

• Passport (prepaid)
• NIE and Spanish bank account (postpaid contract)

Common mistakes

• Signing a long postpaid contract before you're confident you'll stay with that provider or in that city
• Not checking a prepaid SIM's balance expiry — unused credit can expire if not topped up periodically

Practical tips

• Prepaid SIMs are widely available at airports, kiosks, supermarkets and phone shops — a practical first purchase on arrival
• Many virtual operators (MVNOs) offer competitive prepaid and postpaid options on the same major networks as bigger carriers

How Tuchati can help

If you're not sure which option fits your current stage of settling in, Tuchati can help you weigh it up.