Last Updated on December 27, 2023 by Bruno Bianchi
Question
We are from the States and need to switch our cell phone service and also get a Spanish number. What is the best US to Spanish cell phone service?
Answers
These are the answers of some Facebook group members:
”I kept my US number with ESIM from TMobile and, for the Spanish cell phone service, I got a SIM from Movistar when I arrived. I now have internet/TV and cell service with them..they are great”
”Ported my US number to Tello, which allows me to receive OTPs and bank stuff. $5/month, on an eSIM. Have a Spanish carrier as my second eSIM, using Vodafone prepaid. €10/month for 50GB”
”You can port out your US number to Google Voice for 20, no monthly charge after that. You can initiate and receive calls and SMS over your data or wifi connection”
”Vodafone covers you in the US when travelling back. They also do a good job with coverage all over the EU. I had them in Italy and Germany when I lived there. Make sure you port your US number either to Google Voice or Magic Jack for 2FA. I will paste the advice I always give people about this”
”I highly suggest porting your cell phone number to Google Voice before you come. It will really help with security and two-factor authentication text messages for your American accounts. It is also great because my friends and family could continue to text me like nothing ever changed. I also suggest getting a GoogleFi account if you travel a lot to the US or Africa. You can activate it when you travel and pause it when you are in Europe and use a cheaper European plan”
”This is also what I have recommended to people about moving money around. You will want to think about how you will move money around. Start with a TransferWise (called Wise now) account (allows you to move money from US to any IBAN account or your own UK bank account).
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Start the Moving to Spain Hub →You can even pay anyone with an IBAN directly, so those first payments to your new landlord can be accomplished with this tool. They have the best rates I have found. It’s kind of ingenious how they do it. They pool the money going between countries and only transfer the difference. Cool stuff. If you find companies that claim “no fee” to make the transfer, you better believe the fee is built into the poor exchange rate. I prefer a company that doesn’t hide things”
In conclusion, according to Spainguru Facebook group members, several options were discussed, such as porting your US number to Google Voice for added convenience, security, and two-factor authentication. Many members also recommended Spanish carriers like Movistar and Vodafone, highlighting their coverage and services, both in Spain and when travelling back to the US.
Additionally, there was helpful advice on managing finances and international money transfers using platforms like Wise (formerly TransferWise) to ensure transparent and cost-effective transactions. Ultimately, these collective experiences emphasize the importance of careful planning and research to make your transition to a Spanish cell phone service as smooth and efficient as possible.
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