Whether you’re thinking of joining Lobster or have already ordered your SIM or eSIM, this guide will help you through the next steps: from choosing a plan to getting connected and managing your account. Getting started with Lobster is simple, all in English and with no NIE needed. This guide is part of my ultimate expat guide to mobile services in Spain, and along the way I’ll point you to the post that covers each step in detail.
Index
Choose a mobile plan that fits your life in Spain
Get a Spanish number or keep your existing one
Check what you need before signing up
Sign up with Lobster
Verify your identity and set up your SIM or eSIM
Start using and managing your Lobster plan
Get help in English when you need it
Choose a mobile plan that fits your life in Spain
Lobster offers four pay-as-you-go mobile plans. The three International plans – Mobile 200 GB, Mobile 500 GB and Mobile 750 GB – include unlimited calls and texts in Spain and to the UK, the US, Germany and several other countries. Just Spain 200 GB includes unlimited calls in Spain only. All of them include roaming in the UK and most European countries.
What to consider when choosing your plan
The first question you should consider is whether you call abroad from Spain. If you regularly ring family and friends in the UK or elsewhere, go for an International plan: calls and texts to the UK, the US and several European countries are included. If you mostly call within Spain, Just Spain is the cheaper option.
After that, it’s down to data. 200 GB is more than enough for most people, especially if you have fibre at home and use Wi-Fi when you’re out and about. If you stream a lot or work from your phone, 500 or 750 GB gives you more headroom. Not sure? My post on how much mobile data you need will help you work it out.
- International plans: unlimited calls and texts in Spain and to the UK, the US, Germany and several European countries, with 200, 500 or 750 GB of data and roaming in the UK and most European countries.
- Just Spain plan: unlimited calls in Spain, 200 GB of data and roaming in the UK and most European countries. International calls aren’t included.
All plans run on 5G where available. Compare Lobster’s mobile plans.
Why pay-as-you-go can suit expat life
Pay-as-you-go suits expat life, especially if you’ve just arrived or spend part of the year away. You can sign up with your passport (no NIE needed), choose a physical SIM or an eSIM, change plans whenever you like and park your number for up to 12 months while you’re away. And everything is in English. I explain more in why a pay-as-you-go SIM works so well for expats in Spain.
Get a Spanish number or keep your existing one
As an expat, you are going to need a Spanish phone number if you want life in Spain to go smoothly. If you don’t already have a Spanish number, you can order one from Lobster with your passport. If you’re using a Spanish mobile phone number and want to transfer it to Lobster, you just need to select that option when you sign up.
Getting a new Spanish mobile number
To get a new Spanish number, choose that option when you order your SIM or eSIM. I explain why you’ll need one and how it works in my post on how to get a Spanish phone number.
Bringing your existing Spanish number to Lobster
If you already have a Spanish mobile number, you can bring it with you to Lobster. Just choose to keep your current number when you sign up (a process known as portability). Lobster takes care of the rest once you activate your SIM or eSIM: the transfer usually takes 24 to 48 hours (excluding weekends and public holidays), happens overnight, and your old line is switched off automatically. I explain the whole process in an earlier post on mobile number portability in Spain.
Using Lobster alongside your UK or other foreign number
A UK (or foreign) number can’t be transferred to Lobster or any other Spanish mobile provider. If your phone is dual-SIM compatible, you can install a Lobster SIM with your Spanish number and keep your UK (or foreign) SIM in the same device. The UK one remains with your British provider, under its own rates and terms, so it’s worth checking these before you use that line in Spain.
Check what you need before signing up
Here’s a checklist for signing up with Lobster.
- Your mobile phone needs to be unlocked
- A valid ID document (passport, EU national ID card or NIE/TIE)
- Email address
- Credit or debit card (doesn’t have to be Spanish)
- A delivery address (physical SIM only)
Check your phone and choose a SIM or eSIM
You can choose between a physical SIM or eSIM when registering with Lobster: select whichever one you prefer when signing up.
The physical SIM is universal, so it fits any phone.
If you opt for an eSIM, you’ll need an eSIM-compatible phone. Not sure? Dial *#06#: if you see an EID number, your phone supports eSIM.
Have your ID and payment details ready
You’ll need to have your ID (passport, EU national ID card or NIE/TIE) ready when you sign up for your Lobster plan. And your credit or debit card should also be on hand to give your payment details. Your card doesn’t need to be Spanish, but American Express and Diners Club aren’t accepted.
Sign up with Lobster
Once you’ve chosen your Lobster plan and type of SIM, you’ll need to specify whether you are requesting a new Spanish number or bringing an existing one with you to Lobster. Complete the details requested during sign-up. If you’re ordering a physical SIM for delivery, provide the address where you’d like to receive it. Make sure the details you provide when registering match those on your ID exactly, and if you’re porting an existing Spanish number, they must also match what your current provider has on file.
For a full explanation of the sign-up process, check out my guide on How to Sign Up with Lobster.
Verify your identity and set up your SIM or eSIM
You’ll need to verify your identity with Lobster and to activate your SIM when it’s delivered (in the case of a physical SIM) or when you receive a QR code by email (in the case of an eSIM).
Complete identity verification
When you order your Lobster SIM/eSIM, you’ll need to verify your identity by uploading a clear photo or scan of your ID document during the registration process. If you don’t have your ID on you at the time, you can send it afterwards by email to delivery@lobster.es.
For a full list of the ID documents Lobster accepts and how activation works, you can read my post on what you need to activate a Spanish SIM card.
If you’ve ordered a physical SIM, keep that same ID to hand: Correos will ask to see it when they deliver your SIM.
Activate your SIM or install your eSIM
If you’ve ordered a physical SIM, go to lobster.es/go (the address printed on the card) and enter the 7-character activation code on the front of your SIM.
If you’ve chosen an eSIM, Lobster will email you the installation details once your ID has been verified: a QR code and a one-tap installation link. Connect your phone to the internet (Wi-Fi is fine), follow the steps and enter the confirmation code from the email when asked. There are step-by-step guides for iPhone and Android.
If you need any help with activation, you can call 1661 to speak to an English-speaking agent, Monday to Saturday, 9am to 9pm (8am to 8pm in the Canary Islands).
If you’re bringing your number with you, activating your SIM or installing your eSIM doesn’t mean the switch has happened yet. Keep using your old SIM until it stops working: that’s when the transfer is done. Then pop in your Lobster SIM, or start using your eSIM. Lobster will let you know in advance when the switch is due to take place.
Start using and managing your Lobster plan
Once your new Lobster SIM or eSIM is up and running, try making a call, sending a text and using your mobile data to make sure everything is working well.
Access your account and check your usage
To check your data usage, payments and what your plan includes, log into your Lobster account or use the Lobster Mobile app with your email and password. Both the website and app remain accessible even if you’ve run out of data.
Understand payments, international calls and roaming
Your plan renews automatically and is charged to your card, so there’s nothing to remember. International calls are included in the International plans but not in Just Spain, and every plan includes roaming in the UK and most European countries. For everything else, from checking your data to what happens if a payment fails, see New to Lobster? Your Questions Answered.
Get help in English when you need it
Lobster stands out from other mobile providers in Spain because it offers customers a service completely in English. Compare Lobster’s plans if you’re still wondering which one to choose, or call one of their friendly English-speaking customer care agents on 1661, or +34 711 000 711 if you’re outside Spain.
If you’re already a customer, you can use Lobster’s Help Centre or call 711 (free from your Lobster mobile).
