Spaniards spend over 1.2 billion euros annually on roaming outside the European Union. Where do they travel the most? How much do they spend on data? What percentage already uses travel eSIMs to save money? This statistical guide analyzes the connectivity habits of Spanish travelers abroad using data from the CNMC, operators, and industry surveys from 2025-2026.
How much Spaniards spend on roaming outside the EU
According to CNMC data and industry estimates, the total spending of Spanish travelers on roaming outside the European Economic Area exceeded 1.2 billion euros in 2025. This is only active roaming spending — it does not include hotel Wi-Fi or third-party travel eSIMs.
| Indicator | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total roaming spending outside EU (M€) | 940 | 1,050 | 1,140 | 1,200+ |
| Average spending per traveler/trip (€) | 42 | 45 | 48 | 52 |
| % travelers with active data at destination | 54% | 62% | 68% | 72% |
| % using travel eSIM | 8% | 14% | 20% | 25% |
| Total estimated savings from eSIM use (M€) | 45 | 95 | 180 | 280 |
The destinations where Spaniards spend the most on roaming
The US leads in roaming expenditure by Spaniards, with an estimated 285 million euros in 2025. This is due to a combination of: a high number of travelers (tourists + expatriates visiting family), the long average duration of trips to the US, and high roaming prices in American destinations. Mexico and Argentina, with large communities of Spanish emigrants, rank 2nd and 3rd respectively.
The profile of the Spanish traveler and their connectivity spending
| Profile | Trips/year | Average roaming spend/trip | GB consumed | % already uses eSIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holiday tourist | 1-2 | 35-60 € | 5-8 GB | 18% |
| Frequent traveler | 3-5 | 50-80 € | 8-15 GB | 42% |
| Business traveler | 6+ | 80-150 € | 12-20 GB | 55% |
| Spanish digital nomad | Continuous | 25-45 €/month | 30-60 GB/month | 82% |
| Spanish emigrant visiting family | 1-2 | 40-70 € | 8-12 GB | 28% |
How many Spaniards already use travel eSIMs in 2026?
25% of frequent Spanish travelers (3+ trips/year outside the EU) already use travel eSIMs in 2026, compared to 8% in 2022. The biggest jump occurred in 2022-2023, coinciding with the widespread adoption of eSIM-enabled iPhones. Digital nomads are the group with the highest adoption (82%), followed by business travelers (55%).
The 20% who "only use Wi-Fi"—disabling roaming data and relying on hotel and cafe Wi-Fi—represent the largest opportunity segment for eSIM: these travelers are already aware of the problem of expensive roaming but have not yet made the switch to eSIM.
How much Spaniards can save with travel eSIMs: a real calculation
| Traveler Type | Current spending (roaming) | With PuraSIM eSIM | Annual savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist (1 trip/year, 10 GB) | 50-85 € | 10-12 € | 40-73 €/year |
| Frequent traveler (4 trips/year, 10 GB each) | 200-340 € | 40-50 € | 150-290 €/year |
| Business traveler (8 trips, 15 GB each) | 600-1,000 € | 100-140 € | 460-860 €/year |
| Digital nomad (12 months, 30 GB/month) | 1,800+ € | 300-420 € | 1,380+ €/year |
Trends: the Spanish traveler is rapidly digitizing
Three trends mark the evolution of Spanish travelers in connectivity: 1) Growing awareness of roaming costs: 88% of Spanish travelers know that roaming outside the EU is expensive (vs. 62% in 2020). Market education is working. 2) Accelerated eSIM adoption: 25% already use travel eSIMs in 2026 vs. 8% in 2022. If the trend continues, it will exceed 50% by 2028-2029. 3) The Spanish digital nomad: Spain has one of the highest rates of digital nomads in Europe (especially in the Canary Islands, Madrid, and Barcelona). This segment adopts eSIMs almost 100% due to practical necessity.
Frequently asked questions about roaming for Spaniards
How much does a Spaniard spend on average on roaming outside the EU per trip?
The average in 2025 is 52 EUR per trip outside the EU. This only includes active roaming (travelers who use their operator's data). Those who already use travel eSIMs spend between 10-18 EUR, and those who rely on Wi-Fi spend practically 0 on data but with a worse travel experience.
When is roaming free for Spaniards?
Roaming is free within the European Economic Area (28 EU countries + Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein). Outside these borders, roaming incurs extra costs with all Spanish operators. Main paid destinations: USA, Canada, Mexico, LatAm in general, Japan, Thailand, UAE, Morocco (yes, Morocco is not in the EU), Turkey.
Why do Spanish business travelers use eSIMs more?
Spanish business travelers have higher eSIM adoption (55%) for three reasons: 1) Their companies have expense control policies that incentivize them to seek cheap alternatives to roaming. 2) They travel more frequently, so learning how to use an eSIM pays off better. 3) They have premium smartphones (iPhone, Galaxy S) that include eSIM and are more familiar with the technology.
Is PuraSIM's eSIM accessible to non-tech-savvy individuals?
Yes, and improving every year. The PuraSIM activation process has been simplified as much as possible: 1) Choose your destination and plan on purasim.com. 2) Scan the QR code in your phone settings. 3) Activate upon landing. For less tech-savvy users, we offer step-by-step video guides for each smartphone model. The average activation time is 3-5 minutes.
How do I know how much data I have consumed with my travel eSIM?
On iOS: Settings → Mobile Data → you will see the consumption of each SIM line (including the eSIM). On Android: Settings → Network → Data usage → select the eSIM as the line. Many eSIM providers also include an app or web panel where you can view your remaining balance in real time.
Conclusion
Spaniards spend over 1.2 billion euros annually on roaming outside the EU – most of it unnecessarily. With 25% already using travel eSIMs and adoption accelerating at +40% annually, change is underway. Every traveler who switches from roaming to eSIM saves between 40 and 860 EUR per year depending on their travel frequency. Join those who are already traveling smart at purasim.com.
