Whether for work or play or keeping in touch with friends and relatives abroad, getting online will most likely be one of your priorities once you have settled in Spain. The country boasts high-quality and fast internet services with high coverage and access to the internet via 3G and 4G networks. The new generation of mobile networking, 5G, is also available.
According to a report by the Ministry of Economy in 2023, 5G technologies have reached just over 82.3% of the population. As of 2023, approximately 96% of Spanish homes have internet access.
Types of Internet connections in Spain
The most common types of internet connections in Spain include ADSL, WiMAX and Wi-Fi. Fibre optic connectivity is increasing all the time and is available across the country, delivering some of the fastest internet connections. However, note that whichever connection type you opt for, speeds are often slower in some rural areas than in towns and cities.
Devote time to researching Spanish internet providers for the best deals and packages. Some offer cable and broadband TV as well as special plans with unlimited phone calls to local or national landlines. Find good deals near you by typing “best internet deals in my area” into a search engine.
You will also be able to choose the type of access you want - billing according to the number of hours used, a monthly subscription with a fixed data plan or unlimited connectivity.
Digital connectivity in Spain
Digitization is a key government priority in Spain, a lever for economic recovery and modernization. Digital Spain 2026 is an update of the strategy launched in 2020 to promote the country's digital transformation. It includes numerous measures to achieve this, such as:
- Boost connectivity, AI and other disruptive technologies
- Strengthen cybersecurity for citizens, small businesses and professionals
- A national plan for digital skills
Getting connected in Spain
A new installation is usually not required if your Spanish home was previously connected to the internet. You simply ask to reactivate the service. Otherwise, you will need to get the internet installed.
Once you've signed your contract, you may have to wait a week or two weeks before an engineer comes to your home, depending on the company.
To sign up for internet service in Spain, you will need to provide:
- Your N.I.E. (Foreigners' Identity Number);
- Your identity card or passport;
- Some providers will also want the details of your Spanish bank account if you pay by monthly direct debit.
The typical length of a contract for connectivity is one year. If you cancel before it expires, you may have to pay a penalty.
Good to know:
You may have to pay installation fees at the time of registering. However, some suppliers will waive this cost during promotional periods, or they might offer you discounted monthly payments for the first couple of months.
Internet cafés in Spain
If you don't have access to a computer or the internet, you can get online at an internet café. These are dotted all over major towns and cities. There are also small shops or call centres known as locutorios, where you can access the Internet and make international calls. Internet rates are approximately two euros per hour.
Good to know:
You can also get access to computers and the Internet at local libraries. Take your NIE card with you to register for free.
Wi-Fi access in Spain
There are lots of free Wi-Fi spots all over Spain, in coffee shops, bars, plazas, airports, shopping malls, city centers, and so on. More are coming online all the time. You can search for them using Wi-Fi finder apps such as WiFi Map.
Useful links:
We do our best to provide accurate and up to date information. However, if you have noticed any inaccuracies in this article, please let us know in the comments section below.
