How much do Movistar, Vodafone, Orange and other Spanish operators charge for roaming outside the European Union? The answer varies greatly between operators, but the average is 7-9 EUR per GB — between 6 and 8 times more than a travel eSIM. This guide compares all updated rates for 2026 and tells you when roaming is worthwhile and when an eSIM is more convenient.
Roaming prices by Spanish operator in 2026: complete comparison
| Operator | EU Roaming | Non-EU Roaming (standard) | Travel Package | Best alternative option |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Movistar / O2 | Included* | 8.50 EUR/GB | DigiPass: 5€/day includes 500MB | PuraSIM eSIM |
| Vodafone | Included* | 7.80 EUR/GB | GigaViajes: from 15€/trip with 1GB | PuraSIM eSIM |
| Orange | Included* | 9.20 EUR/GB | Travel Bonus: 25€ with 3GB/month | PuraSIM eSIM |
| Yoigo | Included* | 6.50 EUR/GB | No specific package | PuraSIM eSIM |
| Digi | Included* | 5.00 EUR/GB | No specific package | PuraSIM eSIM |
| MásMóvil / Llamaya | Included* | 7.00 EUR/GB | Travel package: 10€ with 500MB | PuraSIM eSIM |
| Pepephone | Included* | 7.50 EUR/GB | Roaming Bonus: 20€/week with 1GB | PuraSIM eSIM |
| PuraSIM eSIM | — | ~1.20 EUR/GB | Plans from 5€ for 1GB | — |
Roaming within the EU: free for all (with caveats)
Since June 2017, EU operators cannot charge extra for roaming within the European Economic Area (28 EU countries + Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein). This means that if you have a mobile plan in Spain, you can use your data in France, Italy, Germany, Portugal, Greece, etc. at the same price.
But there are important caveats: 1) The fair usage policy limits how much data you can use while EU roaming. If you use more than what is considered fair, the operator may apply surcharges. 2) The limit varies by operator: Movistar allows up to 100% of your data for EU roaming, but low-cost operators may limit it to 10-20 GB/month. 3) It does not apply to countries outside the EU: the United Kingdom (post-Brexit), Switzerland, Turkey, etc. are not under this regime.
Roaming outside the EU: the real cost
Outside the EU, roaming becomes extremely expensive with Spanish operators. Standard prices range from 5 EUR/GB (Digi) to 9.20 EUR/GB (Orange). For a 10-day trip to Mexico consuming 10 GB, that's between 50 and 92 EUR just for data.
The worst destinations where roaming is most expensive: USA and Canada (pay-per-use when there is no package), Japan (some operators charge up to 12 EUR/GB), Southeast Asia (varies greatly by operator and destination), and South America (with some smaller operators it can exceed 10 EUR/GB).
"Travel packages": do they really save money?
Most Spanish operators offer "travel packages" or "international data bonuses" that reduce the price per GB outside the EU. But even with these packages, the cost remains much higher than a travel eSIM:
| Package/Solution | Price | Data included | Real price/GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Movistar DigiPass (international) | 5€/day | 500 MB/day | 10 EUR/GB |
| Vodafone GigaViajes (10GB) | 60€/month | 10 GB/month | 6 EUR/GB |
| Orange Travel Bonus (3GB) | 25€/month | 3 GB/month | 8.3 EUR/GB |
| PuraSIM eSIM (10GB, 30 days) | ~12€ | 10 GB | 1.2 EUR/GB |
Comparison by destination: roaming vs PuraSIM eSIM
| Destination | Movistar Roaming (10 GB) | PuraSIM eSIM (10 GB) | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico / LatAm | 85 EUR | 10-12 EUR | 73-75 EUR |
| USA / Canada | 75 EUR | 12-15 EUR | 60-63 EUR |
| Japan | 85-120 EUR | 12-15 EUR | 70-105 EUR |
| Thailand | 75 EUR | 8-10 EUR | 65-67 EUR |
| Turkey | 85 EUR | 10-12 EUR | 73-75 EUR |
| United Arab Emirates | 75 EUR | 15-18 EUR | 57-60 EUR |
How to activate roaming without bill shocks
If you decide to use your operator's roaming despite everything, follow these steps to avoid surprises: 1) Activate data consumption notifications — all Spanish operators must send you an alert when you reach 50€, 80%, and 100% of your bonus. 2) Set a spending limit in your operator's app before you leave. 3) Disable data roaming when you don't need it (especially at night). 4) Consider airplane mode + WiFi when you are at the hotel.
Frequently asked questions about roaming in Spain
Is EU roaming completely free?
Yes, within the European Economic Area (EU + Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein), roaming has no additional cost for users with a plan in Spain. But the fair usage policy applies: if you spend more than 4 months a year in another EU country, your operator may apply surcharges. For long stays in another European country, it's better to contract a local plan.
Does roaming in the UK work the same as in the EU?
No. Since Brexit (January 2021), the United Kingdom is no longer part of the European Economic Area, and Spanish operators may charge extra for roaming in the UK. Some operators (Vodafone UK-Spain, O2/Movistar with an agreement) maintain similar rates, but check with your operator. For trips to London or the UK, a travel eSIM is usually the most economical option.
Can my operator cut off my roaming without prior notice?
No. European regulations oblige operators to send a notification when you reach the fair use limit for EU roaming, and to ask for confirmation before applying extra charges for non-EU roaming once a spending threshold (50 EUR) is reached. They cannot charge you more without your explicit consent.
Which is cheaper: my operator's travel package or PuraSIM eSIM?
In virtually all cases, PuraSIM's eSIM is cheaper than the travel packages offered by Spanish operators. Movistar, Vodafone, or Orange's travel packages cost between 6 and 10 EUR/GB after the bonus discount. PuraSIM offers plans at ~1-2 EUR/GB. For trips longer than 3 days outside the EU, the difference can easily be 50-80 EUR.
Does PuraSIM's eSIM work with my Spanish phone number?
PuraSIM's eSIM gives you a data number at your destination but does not replace your Spanish number. Your Spanish SIM card remains active in your phone (in the physical SIM slot), and you can receive calls and SMS on your Spanish number. PuraSIM's eSIM works in parallel, for data only, using the second SIM slot of your Dual SIM phone.
Conclusion
Spanish operators charge between 5 and 9 EUR per GB outside the EU — up to 8 times more than a travel eSIM. For any destination outside Europe, a PuraSIM eSIM saves you between 50 and 100 EUR per trip. The decision is clear. Activate your eSIM at purasim.com before you leave and travel without worrying about the bill.
