Calling family back home cheaply from Spain

Key rules

• Apps: Calls between users of WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, FaceTime or Messenger are free apart from data.
• Operator rates: Per-minute rates from your mobile operator are usually the most expensive way to call abroad.
• Bundles: A country bundle only pays off if you call that country often, so compare before buying.
• Calling cards: Cards can be cheap but quality varies, so start with a small one.

Rates vary by country and provider, so check the current price with the operator or service before you pay.

The cheapest route: app calls over Wi-Fi

Use a calling app whenever the person you are calling also has it. WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, FaceTime and Messenger calls between users cost nothing beyond the data they use. On Wi-Fi, they cost nothing at all. Ask your family to install one app, and most of your calling costs disappear.

When the other person has no app

If you need to reach a landline or a basic mobile, pay for the call in one of these ways. Rates depend on the country, so compare before you commit.

• Calling credit in an app. Services such as Skype credit or Rebtel let you call ordinary numbers for cents per minute. Google Voice works for US numbers.
• A prepaid or add-on bundle from a Spanish operator. Several operators, including Lycamobile, Lebara, Llamaya, Digi, Orange and Vodafone, sell bundles aimed at specific countries. These are common for Latin America, Morocco and Eastern Europe. They can be good value if you call the same country often.
• A calling card. A tarjeta telefónica, sold in a locutorio, can be cheap for some destinations. Quality varies, so try a small card first.

What to avoid

Your normal operator's per-minute rate for calls abroad is usually the most expensive option. Spanish plans usually include calls within Spain and EU roaming. Calls to countries outside the EU are generally charged per minute unless you add a bundle. Calls to fixed and mobile numbers in the EU are capped per minute by EU rules.

How to choose

1. Family has a smartphone and internet: use an app and call over Wi-Fi.
2. Family has no app, and you call rarely: use app calling credit.
3. Family has no app, and you call every week: compare country bundles from operators, then compare them with calling credit.
4. You have no data or Wi-Fi: try a calling card from a locutorio.

Check the current price for your country with each operator before you buy a bundle. The questions below cover common doubts.

Frequently asked questions

Are WhatsApp calls really free when I call family abroad?

Yes, WhatsApp calls are free between users, but they use your mobile data or Wi-Fi. Telegram, Signal, FaceTime and Messenger work the same way. Both you and your family need the app and an internet connection.

How can I call a relative who has no calling app?

You can use app credit such as Skype, or a similar service, which usually costs a few cents per minute depending on the country. Calling cards sold in locutorios (small phone shops) are cheap for some destinations, but call quality varies.

Do Spanish phone plans include calls to countries outside the EU?

No, calls to non-EU countries are usually charged per minute unless you add a bundle. Some operators sell prepaid or add-on bundles for specific countries, especially in Latin America, Morocco and Eastern Europe. Compare the rate for your country before you add one.