Calling the USA, UK, Australia & Europe from Spain

Need to keep in touch with loved ones while on your travels in Spain? There are several options available for making international calls. It’s essential to ensure that your cell phone is compatible with Spain’s network, as some older American phones may not work effectively here.

Compatible Mobile Phones

Before exploring your options, you must confirm whether your phone is unlocked and GSM compatible. This step is crucial for making international calls smoothly.

Tuenti SIM Card

One of the best solutions for making international calls while in Spain is the Toggle Mobile service, which allows you to have nine international phone numbers on a single SIM. If you prefer a more conventional option, the Tuenti SIM from Telefonica is easily accessible and includes:

• 1GB of data for internet and email on your smartphone.
• The first 30 minutes of every phone call within Spain is free.
• Free to receive calls from any country.
• Calls to the EU cost €0.36 per minute (with a €0.605 connection charge).
• Calls to other countries cost €1.03 per minute (with a €0.968 connection charge).

You can conveniently obtain a Tuenti SIM at the Telefonica building on Gran Via in Madrid or at any Movistar store.

Happy Móvil SIM Card

Happy Móvil offers a competitive calling plan, charging €0.058 per minute for calls to landlines in Western Europe, the US, Canada, and Australia. Cell phone calls cost €0.20 per minute (with €0.058 to the US and Canada), plus a €0.30 connection charge. Importantly, receiving calls is free regardless of where the call originates.

Advantages of Happy Móvil

• Very easy to use: Simply buy the card, insert it into your phone, and you are ready to make calls.
• Low initial cost: For €10, you receive a card with €5 of credit, which you can start using immediately.
• Not the cheapest calls: When factoring in the connection charge and taxes, the total cost may be higher than expected.
• Affordable calls within Spain: Calls cost €0.15 per minute any time of day (€0.10 per minute to other Happy Móvil users), plus tax.

STA Phone with International SIM

STA offers various options for travelers, including a Siemens phone coupled with an International SIM for under $30. Key features of this package include:

• A Siemens A70 cell phone that works globally.
• The SIM comes pre-loaded with $10 of calling credit.
• Receiving calls in Spain is free.

Family and friends can call you from the US for free using a toll-free number (free for the first 30 minutes; thereafter, it costs $0.49 per minute for them).

Using a Calling Card from a Phone Box or Hotel Room

Calling cards are readily available at most convenience stores and can serve as a popular option. Although they may occasionally be cheaper than using a locutorio, they often are not. While they work on any telephone, they can be unreliable. Unused minutes may result in wasted money if you do not use them before returning home.

Visiting a Locutorio

Locutorios are public telephone centers that provide private booths for making calls home. Generally, they are quite affordable, although you should always verify the rates before initiating a call. Payment is made upon leaving, allowing you to make multiple calls if needed. Many of these establishments also offer internet services, which can be beneficial for travelers.

Renting or Buying a Phone

If you want a new phone, you can visit any telecommunications shop in Spain and purchase one for as little as €40. After acquiring a new phone, consider getting a Happy Móvil SIM card or a direct calling card. Companies like OnSpanishTime.com also offer mobile rentals, providing 800 free minutes to call back to the USA and Canada with each rental.