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Tarkan
25 March 2026
Heading to the United States with your Movistar plan? Depending on which Movistar market you're coming from, the roaming costs can range from manageable to outright punishing. Movistar Spain recently reduced its US roaming rate to €4/day for 1 GB (contract customers), which is a significant improvement. But prepaid customers and those on Latin American Movistar plans still face per-megabyte charges that can drain a week's budget in under an hour. This guide covers Movistar's roaming rates for the USA across all major markets, explains how each pricing model works, and shows when a prepaid travel eSIM is the smarter choice for your American trip.
Movistar operates in 11 countries, and each market sets its own roaming rates for the United States. When you arrive in the US with roaming enabled, your phone connects to American networks like AT&T and T-Mobile through Movistar's roaming agreements. The cost depends on your Movistar market, whether you're on a contract or prepaid plan, and whether daily data packages are available.
The USA is not included in the EU free roaming zone, so Movistar Spain customers who roam freely across Europe will need to pay additional charges. However, the USA sits in a special category for Movistar Spain. In mid-2024, Movistar Spain reduced its US roaming rates significantly: contract customers now pay €4/day for 1 GB of data, down from the previous €6.05 for 500 MB. This makes US roaming from Spain considerably more affordable than destinations like Canada, which didn't receive the same rate reduction.
For Movistar customers in Latin American markets (Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador), the situation is different. Each market has its own roaming tariffs for the US, and daily packages may or may not be available. Mexican Movistar customers may find rates slightly more competitive due to geographic proximity, but should still check current pricing in the Mi Movistar app before travelling.
Movistar applies monthly spending caps on roaming. For Movistar Spain, the cap is €60.50. You'll receive SMS alerts at €48.40 and again at the €60.50 limit. Once reached, data is cut off until you manually reactivate by texting NAVEGAR to 223570.
Here's a breakdown of Movistar's roaming options for the USA across the main markets.
The Movistar Spain contract rate of €4/day for 1 GB is the most competitive option. The charge activates automatically when you first use data in the US and only applies on days you actually consume data. If you exceed 1 GB in a single day, an additional 1 GB block charges at the same €4 rate. This is a major improvement from the previous €6.05 for 500 MB.
Even at this improved rate, a two-week US trip costs €56 in data charges alone (assuming 1 GB/day). Add voice calls at €1.82/minute plus a €1.21 setup fee per call, and the total climbs higher. For a family of two sharing one Movistar plan, the costs are per-line, so they double.
Prepaid customers across all Movistar markets face the harshest rates. At €12.10/MB for Movistar Spain prepaid, 1 GB of data costs over €12,000 in theory. In practice, the spending cap kicks in well before that, but the point stands: prepaid roaming is not viable for data usage in the USA.
Activation depends on your Movistar market. Here's how to set up roaming before your US trip.
Movistar Spain (contract): The €4/day rate activates automatically when you start using data in the US. No pre-activation required for the data tariff itself. However, ensure roaming is enabled on your account via the Mi Movistar app (Gestiones section) or by calling 1004. Also enable data roaming in your phone's settings.
Movistar Spain (prepaid): Enable roaming via the Mi Movistar app or by calling 1004. Be aware that no daily package is available. You'll be charged €12.10/MB for all data usage. Consider disabling data roaming entirely and relying solely on Wi-Fi, or use a travel eSIM instead.
Movistar Mexico: Some plans may include US roaming or offer dedicated US packages. Check the Mi Movistar app or call *611. Given Mexico's proximity to the US, some plans have more competitive rates than other Latin American markets.
Latin American markets (Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador): Call *611 or use the Mi Movistar app. Check if US-specific daily data packages are available for your plan. Without a package, pay-as-you-go rates apply and can be very expensive.
On your phone: Enable data roaming in your device settings. iPhone: Settings, Cellular, Cellular Data Options, Data Roaming. Android: Settings, Network & Internet, Mobile Network, Roaming. Without this, your phone won't connect to US networks.
Critical tip: Disable background data for all non-essential apps before landing. At per-MB rates, automatic app updates, cloud photo sync, and email push notifications can generate significant charges before you even open your phone.
For Movistar Spain contract customers, the new €4/day rate for 1 GB is the most reasonable Movistar roaming option worldwide. But it still adds up. A 10-day trip costs €40 minimum, and if you regularly exceed 1 GB/day, daily costs double to €8. Add voice calls and the total climbs further.
For everyone else, a travel eSIM is the clear winner. Prepaid Movistar customers (€12.10/MB) and Latin American Movistar customers without US data packages face costs that make standard roaming impractical for any data-intensive activity: navigation, social media, ride-hailing, or video calls.
A TurkSIM eSIM for the USA works differently. You buy a prepaid data package before departure, install it alongside your Movistar SIM using Dual SIM, and activate it when you land. Your Movistar number stays active for calls, texts, and WhatsApp messages. All data routes through the eSIM on AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile's network. No per-MB charges, no spending caps, no data cutoffs.
The spending cap issue is particularly relevant. Movistar's €60.50 monthly cap means your data gets cut off entirely once reached. In the US, where you depend on mobile data for Uber, Google Maps, and airport navigation, losing connectivity mid-trip is more than an inconvenience. A travel eSIM has no such artificial limit.
The United States is a destination where reliable mobile data shapes the entire trip. From hailing Uber at JFK, to navigating the New York subway, to checking into hotels that send digital key codes via email, your phone is central to every step. Running into a spending cap that cuts your data off while trying to find your hotel in a new city is a scenario every traveller wants to avoid.
TurkSIM connects to AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile in the USA, giving you access to all three major American networks. Coverage extends across major cities, rural highways, and national parks. Whether you're exploring Manhattan, driving along the Pacific Coast Highway, or visiting the Grand Canyon, you'll have signal on one of these networks.
For Movistar Spain contract customers, the €4/day rate is decent for short trips. But for trips beyond a week, or for customers who use more than 1 GB/day, a TurkSIM eSIM consistently offers better value. You pay once, use the data, and don't worry about daily block charges stacking up.
The Dual SIM advantage is especially valuable for Movistar customers. Keep your Spanish (or Latin American) number active for banking SMS, WhatsApp verification, and incoming calls from home. Route all data through the TurkSIM eSIM on the local US network. You get the best of both worlds: reachability on your home number and affordable data in the US.
For travellers visiting both the USA and Canada on the same trip, TurkSIM offers separate eSIMs for each country. This is cleaner than dealing with Movistar's different roaming rates per destination (€4/day in the US vs €6.05/500 MB in Canada).
Movistar Spain contract customers pay €4/day for 1 GB of data (reduced rate since July 2024). Prepaid customers pay €12.10/MB. Calls cost €1.82/minute plus a €1.21 setup fee. Rates in other Movistar markets (Mexico, Argentina, Colombia) vary and should be checked in the Mi Movistar app.
No. The USA is outside the EU/EEA zone and is classified as a special international zone by Movistar Spain. Data, calls, and texts in the US incur separate roaming charges. The €4/day data rate is a reduced tariff, not free roaming.
Yes, if your phone supports Dual SIM or eSIM. Keep Movistar active for calls and texts while using the eSIM for data. Disable data roaming on your Movistar line to prevent automatic roaming charges from triggering.
Movistar Spain applies a €60.50 monthly spending cap on roaming. You receive alerts at €48.40 and €60.50. Once reached, data is cut off. Reactivate by texting NAVEGAR to 223570 or calling +34 696 223570.
Yes, for Movistar Spain contract customers. The current rate is €4 per day for 1 GB, activated automatically on first data use. Additional 1 GB blocks charge at the same rate. Prepaid customers do not have daily packages and are charged per MB.
For Movistar Spain, the data tariff activates automatically on first use. Ensure roaming is enabled on your account via Mi Movistar (Gestiones section) or by calling 1004. Enable data roaming in your phone settings separately. For Latin American markets, use Mi Movistar or call *611.
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