Daily Life in Mallorca
SIM cards, supermarkets, internet, utilities, and everything else you'll need week to week.
Mobile SIM Cards
All operators require your NIE to register a contract. Pre-pay SIMs are available without one — useful for the first weeks.
Movistar
Best coverageFrom €20/mo
The most reliable network island-wide, including rural areas and the Tramuntana. Premium price for premium coverage.
Orange
Good balanceFrom €15/mo
Strong in Palma and main towns. Slightly cheaper than Movistar. Good roaming options for frequent travelers.
Yoigo
No-frillsFrom €10/mo
Budget option that uses the Movistar network. Coverage is decent. Simple plans, no surprises. Good for light users.
Digi
Cheapest dataFrom €5/mo
Remarkably cheap for unlimited data. Relatively newer entrant — coverage gaps in rural areas. Ideal for digital nomads on a budget.
Supermarkets & Food Shopping
Mercadona
The everyday choice. Good quality, consistent prices, solid own-brand products. Widespread across the island — you're rarely far from one.
Lidl
German discounter with excellent fresh produce and surprising wine selection. Weekly rotating offers ('The Middle Aisle') are a Mallorcan institution.
Eroski
Regional supermarket with a decent range and good fish counter. Often found in smaller towns where Mercadona hasn't arrived yet.
El Corte Inglés (Gourmet)
Premium option in Palma's Avinguda Jaume III. Best for imported products, cheese, charcuterie, and hard-to-find international items.
Mercat de l'Olivar
Palma's main covered market. Fresh meat, fish, vegetables, and local products. A weekly or bi-weekly visit beats the supermarket for quality.
Aldi
Budget-friendly with good European imports. Smaller store network than Lidl but reliable for staples and competitive on price.
Home Internet
Fibre (fibra óptica) is available in most of Palma and main towns. Rural areas may rely on 4G routers or local ISPs. Contracts typically require a 12-month commitment.
Movistar (Fibra)
Up to 1 Gbps · ~€40–€55/mo
Widest fibre coverage on the island. Often bundled with TV and mobile. Most reliable in rural areas.
Orange Fibra
Up to 1 Gbps · ~€30–€50/mo
Competitive pricing, especially in Palma. Good customer service in English. Worth comparing with Movistar.
Vodafone
Up to 600 Mbps · ~€35–€55/mo
Available in main urban areas. Bundle deals with mobile can be good value if you're already a Vodafone mobile customer.
Aire Networks
Up to 300 Mbps · ~€25–€40/mo
Local Mallorcan ISP. Better for rural areas where national providers don't reach. Solid support, shorter contracts.
Utilities
Electricity
Main providers are Endesa and Iberdrola. You'll need your NIE, bank IBAN, and the property's CUPS code. Allow 3–5 working days to activate. Many expats choose the PVPC tariff (regulated price) or negotiate a fixed contract.
Water (Agua)
In Palma, water is managed by EMAYA. Outside Palma, it varies by municipality. Registration requires a rental contract or ownership documents and your NIE. Tap water is safe to drink but can taste heavily chlorinated — many residents use filtered jugs.
Gas
Mains gas is only available in parts of Palma. Everywhere else, most homes use butane bottles (bombona). The blue Repsol botona is standard — exchange at petrol stations or home delivery via your local distributor for ~€15–€18.
Recycling & Bins
Mallorca has coloured bins for organics (brown), general waste (grey/black), plastic & cans (yellow), paper (blue), and glass (green). Bulky item collection is booked via your Ajuntament. Deposits for plastic bottles (SDDR system) are expanding.
Good to know
Opening hours
Most shops open 9–2 and 5–8:30. Supermarkets are generally 9–9. Sunday trading is limited — plan your shopping.
Farmàcies
Pharmacies (green cross) are everywhere and often sort minor ailments. A rotation system means one is always open 24h in each area — look for the neon sign.
TIB buses
The island bus network is cheap and reliable for main routes. The app 'TIB Illes Balears' shows live times. Route 100 (Palma–Alcúdia) is the tourist lifeline.
ATMs & cash
Card payments are accepted almost everywhere. Still carry some cash for markets, small bars, and rural areas. CaixaBank ATMs have the widest network on the island.
Pets
Dogs must be microchipped, vaccinated for rabies, and registered at your Ajuntament. Most vets speak English. Bring your EU pet passport if relocating from within Europe.
Driving licence
EU licences are valid indefinitely. Non-EU residents must exchange their licence within 6 months of obtaining residency, or sit a Spanish driving test.
Prices and availability may vary. Last reviewed May 2026.