IoT connectivity in Spain
Updated
In Spain, permanent roaming is governed by the EU roaming regulation, which generally allows it under wholesale agreements between operators. Of the 3 mobile operators we track there, 0 have switched off 2G and 1 3G, as of 26 October 2026. Sources are listed below each table.
Permanent roaming
EU/EEA rule. M2M falls within the EU Roaming Regulation, which leaves permanent roaming for M2M to commercial wholesale agreements that may include clauses against it; BEREC concluded in March 2025 that no further regulation was needed, and most member states permit it, Belgium being the main exception.
Sources: berec.europa.eu, berec.europa.eu, cullen-international.com.
2G and 3G shutdowns by operator
| Operator | Network | Status | Date | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MasOrange | 2G | Planned | 31 December 2030 | roams.es, xatakamovil.com MasOrange (Orange Spain + MasMovil/Yoigo) announced at its OpenTech event (Nov 2025) that 2G will be kept until 31 Dec 2030; press in Aug 2026 repeats the 2030 plan. No MasOrange press release opened; date reported by press. |
| MasOrange | 3G | Planned | 31 December 2027 | roams.es, xatakamovil.com Announced at OpenTech (Nov 2025); original target was 2025. Regional phase-out started March 2026; by Aug 2026 it was complete in only three provinces (Zamora, La Rioja, Caceres). Covers the Orange and legacy Yoigo/MasMovil networks. |
| Movistar | 2G | Planned | 2027 | roams.es, wirelesslogic.com Press (May 2026) reports Telefonica set end of 2027 as the deadline to switch off both 2G and 3G (disclosed with Q1 2026 results; no Telefonica document opened). Conflict: Wireless Logic's tracker says Movistar told IoT customers (July 2026) it will keep 2G as an IoT safety net until 2030. The EU also asked operators to keep one circuit-switched network until 2030 (eCall). |
| Movistar | 3G | Planned | 2027 | roams.es, xatakamovil.com Phase-out in progress: Telefonica confirmed with its Q1 2026 results that the 3G switch-off has begun; by Aug 2026 several areas already had no 3G, final switch-off expected in 2027. Earlier 2025 target was missed. Wireless Logic's tracker gives 31 Dec 2027 for national completion. |
| Vodafone Spain | 2G | No plan announced | none | xatakamovil.com, wirelesslogic.com Press (June 2026) says Vodafone has not commented and has no 2G switch-off scheduled for a specific date. Conflict: Wireless Logic's tracker says Vodafone Spain is delaying 2G shutdown to late 2026 or early 2027. Vodafone Spain is owned by Zegona. |
| Vodafone Spain | 3G | Switched off | 2024 | vodafone.es, xatakamovil.com Phased switch-off started in 2022; Vodafone says it was effective in Madrid, Barcelona and the main cities by late 2024; press says the process ended in 2024. |
What it means for IoT devices in Spain
- 2G still runs on some networks, but plan new devices on 4G-based technologies (LTE Cat-1bis, LTE-M or NB-IoT where available): 2G is being closed across the region.
- 3G is already gone on 1 network: devices that fall back to 3G will lose service there.
- Private delivery works the same from Spain: device data reaches your cloud over private links. See private delivery.
Other countries in Europe
Full tables: permanent roaming rules by country and 2G and 3G shutdown dates.
Frequently asked questions
Is permanent roaming allowed for IoT SIMs in Spain?
Spain applies the EU roaming regulation, which covers the EU and EEA. M2M falls within the EU Roaming Regulation, which leaves permanent roaming for M2M to commercial wholesale agreements that may include clauses against it; BEREC concluded in March 2025 that no further regulation was needed, and most member states permit it, Belgium being the main exception.
When is 2G switched off in Spain?
Status by operator, as of 26 October 2026. MasOrange: planned for 2030-12-31; Movistar: planned for 2027; Vodafone Spain: no shutdown plan announced.
When is 3G switched off in Spain?
Status by operator, as of 26 October 2026. MasOrange: planned for 2027-12-31; Movistar: planned for 2027; Vodafone Spain: switched off (2024).