Major providers: Movistar, Vodafone, Orange, MASMOVIL/Yoigo (now largely under the MASORANGE umbrella), and Digi.
- Prepaid/eSIM: just a passport — no NIE needed. Some carriers’ eSIM activation may still want a Spanish address or existing local number to complete setup.
- Postpaid contracts: NIE required, plus usually a Spanish IBAN and billing address.
- By law, every SIM (physical or eSIM) is registered to a named individual — the shop scans your ID regardless of prepaid or postpaid.
Practical sequencing: start on a prepaid SIM the day you land, switch to a contract once you have your NIE and bank account sorted.