We're finally getting back to Spain! I have an unlocked phone for Europe but I need a new Spain sim card. Can I buy it in Spain upon arrival? Or has that changed in recent years? As an American, what ID will I need? Anything other than my passport? In the past I've bought the sim card in advance, but my usual online sources are all sold out of Spanish sim cards. Any ideas?

Yes, just walk into a store and pick one up. Unless things have changed, you won't need ID (or at least you didn't a couple of years ago). Otherwise, I expect your passport will suffice; after all, what else do you have? ;-)

Without a doubt, you'll get one in El Corte Ingles, I would be suprised if they sell out.

The Orange online store has them, with some good offers at the moment:
http://tiendamovil.orange.es/moviles-Nue..._campaign=movil

But check out the phone deals too. We were going to buy a sim chip to put in a phone we already owned. But buy getting a phone deal, we ended up getting a new phone, a sim chip and about 90 euros in free minutes. Way better deal.

You will now have to produce ID and the sim will be registered to you.

Well I bought a Spanish Sims chip online and had it sent to the US prior to my trip. Worked great for me, plus ahead of time I could tell all my friends in spain my new spanish phone number.

I can provide a link to those interested.... PM me (hope this way is ok MM).

oh hell, here is the link

http://www.spainsim.com/

MM, edit this out if it isn't your policy

I need to resurrect this topic, please.

I don't have time to pre-order the sim to be sent to the house before I leave. Would you still suggest El Corte Ingles as the best place to purchase one?
Is any cell provider better than others?

You can buy your sim card in El Corte Inglés or wherever cell phone shop you want (vodafone, movistar, orange or yoigo). I'd recommend you to go to The Phone House shop where you can buy a sim card from one of these companies and perhaps you can get some good offers. Movistar is the company with a wider and a better coverage (cobertura) all over Spain, in case you go to the mountains or the countryside. But in cities, all cell companies work well. My cell phone is from an internet provider (www.simyo.es), and uses the Orange network. Un saludo.

El Corte Ingles or any Phone House store in Madrid will do it for you.

Orange Store in Sol (and other locations, too) was fantastic with their service and explanations. Search my posts for a quick rundown on my experience with them.

I needed to show my passport.

SS

Here is the link to my thread from earlier this year:

http://www.madridman.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=90825&page=all

SS