Why I Switched to Orange
I'll be honest: I switched to Orange primarily to save money. After 14 months with Movistar at €52/month, I saw Orange advertising similar plans for €30/month. That's €264 per year in savings—enough for a nice weekend trip.
I was worried about coverage, especially since I'd heard Movistar was "the best." But after 10 months with Orange, I haven't noticed any difference in Madrid, Barcelona, or Valencia. The only time I've had issues was in that same remote village in Extremadura where even Movistar struggled.
Pricing: Transparent and Competitive
Orange's pricing is refreshingly straightforward. My plan breakdown:
- Advertised price: €30/month
- Actual cost after taxes: €35/month
- Activation fee: €20 (one-time, waived with online signup)
- SIM card: Free
Total first-year cost: €440. Compare that to Movistar's €664, and you're saving €224. For the same unlimited calls, texts, and 50GB of data.
What I appreciate most is that Orange shows you the final price upfront, including taxes. No surprises. They also offer month-to-month plans without contracts, which is perfect if you're not sure how long you'll be in Spain.
Their prepaid options are also reasonable. €10 gets you 5GB valid for 30 days, which is perfect for short stays or as a backup.
Coverage: Excellent in Cities, Good Elsewhere
Orange's coverage is excellent in urban areas. I've tested it in:
- Madrid: Perfect 4G/5G everywhere. No dead zones I've found.
- Barcelona: Same story. Strong signal even in the metro.
- Valencia, Seville, Bilbao: All excellent.
- Coastal areas: Strong coverage. I've used it on beaches from Tarifa to San Sebastián.
- Rural areas: This is where Orange falls short compared to Movistar. In remote villages, you might get 3G or weak 4G, but it's usually usable.
According to CNMC data, Orange covers 98.2% of the population. That 1.5% gap compared to Movistar matters if you're in that gap, but for most people, it doesn't.
I've traveled to 15 different regions with Orange, and I've only had connectivity issues twice—both in extremely remote mountain areas where even Movistar would struggle.
Data Speeds: Fast Enough for Everything
I consistently get 60-100 Mbps on 4G in Madrid, which is more than enough for video calls, streaming Netflix in HD, and working remotely. Their 5G network is expanding, and when available, speeds jump to 200-400 Mbps.
One thing I noticed: Orange doesn't throttle as aggressively as some operators. Even after hitting my 50GB limit, I still get usable speeds (around 2 Mbps) instead of being cut off completely.
I've used Orange as a mobile hotspot for my laptop many times, and it's been reliable for video calls and general browsing. Not ideal for large file downloads, but perfectly fine for remote work.
Customer Service: Good, But Not Perfect
Orange's customer service is solid, but not as polished as Movistar's. Here's my experience:
- English support: Available, but sometimes you get transferred between departments. Average wait time: 8-12 minutes.
- Online chat: Helpful and usually faster than phone support. Available in English.
- Store visits: Mixed experience. Some staff are excellent, others seem less knowledgeable. Depends on the location.
- App support: The Orange app is functional and lets you manage most things without calling.
I had one billing issue (they charged me for a service I didn't order), and it took two calls to resolve. Movistar would have fixed it in one call, but Orange did eventually sort it out and credited me back.
The app is modern and easy to use. You can check usage, pay bills, change plans, and even get support through it. It's not as feature-rich as Vodafone's app, but it's more intuitive.
EU Roaming and International Features
Like all Spanish operators, Orange includes EU roaming. I've used it in France, Portugal, Italy, and Germany without issues. Data speeds are good, and I've never been hit with surprise charges.
Orange also offers "Orange World" which gives you extra data when traveling to certain countries. It's not a game-changer, but it's a nice perk if you travel frequently.
For calls outside the EU, Orange's rates are competitive. Calling the UK or US costs around €0.10-0.15 per minute, which is reasonable.
The Flexibility Factor
This is Orange's biggest advantage: flexibility. You can:
- Change plans monthly without penalties
- Cancel anytime (on month-to-month plans)
- Add extra data for specific months
- Pause your plan if you're traveling
This flexibility is perfect for expats, digital nomads, or anyone who isn't sure about their long-term plans in Spain. I've changed my plan twice based on my usage, and it was seamless both times.
Who Should Choose Orange?
Choose Orange if:
- You live in or mostly stay in urban areas
- Price is important to you
- You want flexibility (month-to-month, no long contracts)
- You value transparency in pricing
- You're an expat or digital nomad
Skip Orange if:
- You live in a very rural area
- You need guaranteed coverage in remote locations
- You prioritize premium customer service above all
- You want the absolute best network coverage
My Verdict
Orange is my current operator, and I'm happy with the switch. For €17/month less than Movistar, I get the same service quality in the places I actually use my phone. The flexibility to change plans or cancel without penalties is perfect for my situation.
If I moved to a rural area, I'd probably switch back to Movistar. But for city living, Orange offers the best value without compromising on what matters.
Rating: 4.5/5. Excellent value, good coverage in urban areas, and the flexibility makes it perfect for many expats and locals alike.