Internet and mobile are among the first things you need on Mallorca. Without a phone contract and internet connection nothing works: no trips to the authorities, no flat-hunting, no working from home. The good news: connectivity on Mallorca is better than its reputation. In the towns you get fast fibre internet, the mobile network is solid, and prices are well below German levels. Here is everything you need to know to get started.
Internet on Mallorca: Overview
Mallorca has invested heavily in broadband infrastructure in recent years. In most towns and urbanizaciones (residential developments) fibre (Fibra optica) is available. Speeds are high, prices fair. The old ADSL over the phone line is barely relevant any more.
The situation depends a lot, however, on exactly where you live:
In urban areas (Palma, Inca, Manacor and the larger towns) you have full choice: several fibre providers, 4G/5G mobile, stable connections. Internet is not an issue here.
In urbanizaciones and coastal towns fibre is usually available too, but not everywhere. Some older developments are not yet connected. Always check availability in advance.
In rural areas and fincas it gets more difficult. Fibre rarely reaches there. You are dependent on mobile routers, directional radio or satellite. More on this in the section below.
Fibre - The Best Option
Fibre is the first choice for your internet connection on Mallorca. The connection is stable, fast and reliable. The three major fibre providers on Mallorca are:
Movistar
Movistar belongs to Telefonica and is the largest provider in Spain. The fibre network is the most widely developed, including in smaller towns. Movistar offers speeds from 300 Mbit/s to 1 Gbit/s.
Prices (as of 2026): Fibre 300 Mbit/s from around 35 euros per month. Bundle packages with mobile and TV from around 50 euros. Movistar is slightly more expensive than the competition, but the network is the most reliable and customer service (in Spanish) is easiest to reach.
Orange
Orange is the second-largest provider and has its own fibre network, which is also well developed. Prices are slightly below Movistar, and the offering is comparable.
Prices: Fibre 300 Mbit/s from around 30 euros per month. Bundle packages from around 40 euros. Orange often has attractive introductory offers with discounts in the first few months.
Digi
Digi is a Romanian provider that has been shaking up the Spanish market for a few years. Digi is the cheapest fibre provider and offers surprisingly good quality at very competitive prices.
Prices: Fibre 300 Mbit/s from around 20 euros per month. Fibre 1 Gbit/s from around 30 euros. Bundle packages with mobile from 25 euros.
Digi partly uses the Movistar network (wholesale agreement) while also building its own network. Availability is not universal, but on Mallorca it is now reasonably good. Customer service is slightly harder to reach than with Movistar or Orange.
Other Providers
Vodafone also offers fibre but has sold its network in the Balearics to Zegona/MasMovel. The service continues to work, but is less competitive on price. Lowi (Vodafone subsidiary) and Simyo (Orange subsidiary) are cheap alternatives that use their parent companies' networks.
Tip: Check availability before you move
Before you rent or buy a property, check fibre availability at the address. Enter the address on the websites of Movistar, Orange and Digi. Availability can vary from street to street. If fast internet is important to you (working from home, streaming), make availability a criterion in your property search.
What You Need to Sign a Contract
For a fibre contract you need:
- NIE number (Numero de Identidad de Extranjero) - your Spanish foreigner identification number. You can find out how to get one in the guide to the NIE on Mallorca.
- Spanish bank account (Cuenta bancaria) - the monthly costs are debited by direct debit. You can find more information under opening a bank account.
- Address - the address where the connection is to be installed.
Installation usually takes 3 to 10 working days after signing the contract. A technician will come and lay the fibre cable into your home. The router is provided and included in the monthly price.
Mobile: Providers and Tariffs
The mobile network on Mallorca is well developed. 4G is available practically everywhere, 5G in the urban centres. Prices for mobile tariffs in Spain are well below German levels.
The Big Three
Movistar has the best network, including in rural areas and the Serra de Tramuntana. If you spend a lot of time in the countryside, Movistar is the safest bet. Mobile tariffs from around 15 euros per month (with data allowances from 10 GB).
Orange has the second-best network and often slightly cheaper tariffs. The bundle packages (fibre + mobile) in particular are competitively priced.
Vodafone is the third major provider. The network is good, prices comparable to Orange.
Cheap Alternatives (MVNOs)
Spain has many mobile providers that use the big three's networks and offer considerably cheaper tariffs. They are perfectly adequate for everyday use:
Digi - uses the Movistar network, tariffs from around 3 euros per month (with limited data). Unlimited from around 10 euros. Particularly popular with expats because of the low prices.
Lowi - owned by Vodafone, uses the Vodafone network. Tariffs from around 7 euros per month. Simple online management, no physical stores.
Simyo - owned by Orange, uses the Orange network. Tariffs from around 5 euros per month. Very flexible, no contract tie-in.
Pepephone - uses the Movistar network. Known for good customer service and fair terms. From around 7 euros per month.
What Do You Get for Your Money?
Spanish mobile tariffs generally offer more than German ones. For 10 to 15 euros per month you get with most providers:
- Unlimited calls within Spain
- 20 to 50 GB of data (unlimited with Digi)
- EU roaming included (with fair-use limit)
- No connection fee or short contract terms
By comparison: a similar tariff in Germany costs two to three times as much.
Prepaid or Contract?
When you first arrive on Mallorca we recommend a prepaid tariff (Tarjeta Prepago). You do not need a NIE or a Spanish bank account for this, just your passport. This way you get a working Spanish phone number straight away.
Prepaid: Advantages
- No contract, no tie-in, no risk
- Available in every phone shop, many supermarkets and tobacconists (Estanco)
- Top up online, via an app or in a shop
- Perfect for the first few weeks until you have your NIE and bank account
Prepaid: Disadvantages
- Slightly more expensive per GB than contract tariffs
- Some services (e.g. portabilidad) are not available
- No fibre bundle package possible
When to Switch to a Contract
As soon as you have your NIE number and a Spanish bank account, switching to a contract makes sense. Especially if you want to add fibre internet, you save considerably with a bundle package (internet + mobile).
Contract terms in Spain are shorter than in Germany. With most providers the minimum term is 3 to 12 months. Permanencia (contract tie-in) is becoming increasingly unusual, and many providers offer contracts with no minimum term.
Internet in Rural Areas and Fincas
If you have chosen a finca or rural area, internet is more of a challenge. Fibre usually ends at the edge of the village. For everything beyond that you need alternatives.
4G/5G Router (Recommended)
The best alternative to fibre in rural areas is a permanently installed 4G or 5G router. This is a router that uses the mobile network and provides Wi-Fi for your home. Movistar, Orange and Digi all offer such tariffs.
Speed: 20 to 100 Mbit/s via 4G, 100 to 300 Mbit/s via 5G. This is enough for working from home, video calls and HD streaming. 4K streaming can stutter with a weak connection.
Costs: 25 to 40 euros per month, depending on provider and data allowance.
Important: Test the mobile coverage at your address before signing a contract. Ideally with SIM cards from different providers, as network coverage can vary considerably.
Tip: External antenna for better reception
If the mobile signal at your finca is weak, an external antenna on the roof can significantly improve the connection. There are directional antennas that boost the signal by 10 to 20 dB. A local technician can install the antenna and point it at the nearest mast. Cost: 100 to 300 euros, one-off.
Satellite Internet
Starlink has been available in Spain since 2023 and is an option for fincas that have neither fibre nor good mobile reception. Speeds are 50 to 200 Mbit/s, latency is higher than fibre (30 to 60 ms instead of 5 to 15 ms).
Costs: Around 40 euros per month plus a one-off cost of around 450 euros for the dish. This is considerably more expensive than fibre, but a reliable solution for remote locations.
Directional Radio (WiMAX)
In some areas local providers offer directional radio connections. An antenna on your roof receives the signal from a nearby transmitter. Speeds are 10 to 50 Mbit/s. This solution is less common and is increasingly being replaced by 4G/5G routers.
Important: Test internet before moving in
If fast internet is important to you (working from home, digital nomad), make sure to test availability before signing the rental contract or buying. Ask the landlord about the current connection, check fibre availability online and test the mobile signal on site with your phone. A finca without usable internet can seriously limit daily life.
Keep Your German SIM or Switch?
Many expats initially keep their German SIM card. Thanks to EU roaming you can call and browse in Spain at your German tariff, with no extra charges. This works well for the transition, but has limits.
EU Roaming: The Rule
Since 2017 the EU's "Roam like at home" rule applies. You use your German data allowance, free minutes and texts in Spain just as you would in Germany. No roaming charges apply.
The Limitation: Fair-Use Policy
The EU roaming regulation protects temporary use abroad. If your provider detects that you are living permanently in Spain (e.g. because you log in from Spain for months on end), it can charge a roaming surcharge. In practice this happens with most providers only after 3 to 4 months of continuous use abroad.
Our Recommendation
Keep your German SIM for the first few weeks as a backup and for contacts who know your German number. At the same time, get a Spanish prepaid SIM for everyday use. Once you have settled in, switch fully to a Spanish contract. This saves money in the long run and gives you the best local network coverage.
If you want to keep your German number permanently, you can port it to a cheap German provider (e.g. freenet Funk or fraenk for under 10 euros per month) and use it as a second card.
Switching Provider and Cancellation
Switching provider in Spain is more straightforward than in Germany. The key word is portabilidad (number porting).
How Portabilidad Works
You sign a contract with the new provider and give your existing phone number. The new provider handles everything: cancelling with the old provider, porting the number, activation. The switch usually takes 1 to 3 working days.
You do not need to cancel with the old provider yourself. The new provider handles this as part of the portabilidad process. This is a big difference from Germany and makes switching very easy.
What to Watch Out For
Check before switching whether you are still within the permanencia (minimum term) of your old contract. If so, a switching fee may apply. Most contracts have no minimum term or only a short one.
If you have fibre internet and mobile with the same provider (bundle package), check whether cancelling one part affects the other.
Everyday Tips
Public Wi-Fi: In Palma and the larger tourist towns there are free Wi-Fi hotspots in cafes, restaurants and public buildings. Quality varies. For sensitive data (online banking, official transactions) we recommend a VPN.
Use Dual SIM: If your smartphone supports Dual SIM (most modern devices do), you can use your German and Spanish SIM cards at the same time. This means you are reachable on both numbers without needing two phones.
Check your bills: Spanish telecoms providers are known for automatically increasing tariffs when promotional prices expire. Check your monthly bill and call if in doubt to extend the promotional price or negotiate a better tariff. This works surprisingly well in Spain.
Customer service in Spanish: Provider customer service is almost exclusively in Spanish. If your Spanish is not yet up to it, ask a Spanish-speaking friend or neighbour for help. Alternatively, you can sign the contract in a physical shop, where communication is often easier than on the phone.
Tip: It pays to negotiate
In Spain it is normal to negotiate telecoms tariffs. If you call after your promotional period ends and threaten to switch to a competitor, providers almost always offer a better price. The key phrase is "Departamento de Retenciones" (customer retention department). Ask for it directly.