Traveler-compatibility checks for this destination are still pending. Local notes are useful, but phone, payment and signup eligibility are not yet sourced per service.
Two co-dominant apps: Cabify for booked VTC rides, FreeNow to hail Madrid's licensed white-and-red street taxis.
Glovo dominates; Deliveroo left Spain in 2021, so ignore it.
Mercadona is the supermarket king; Glovo for fast top-ups. Getir and Gorillas shut down in Spain.
Since June 1, 2026, every Metro station accepts a contactless bank card, phone or watch directly at the turnstile. EMT buses also accept contactless payment for single fares; use a Multi/TTP card for stored tickets and passes.
CRTM app to top up your Tarjeta Transporte Publico (TTP) card by NFC - Android only.
Cards and phones are accepted almost everywhere and contactless under EUR 50 needs no PIN; cash is fading but keep a little for markets and tiny bars.
Locals split bills and pay friends/small shops with it - but it needs a Spanish bank account + local number, so most visitors can't use it.
EU/EEA visitors roam free on their home plan ('Roam Like At Home') - no eSIM needed. Physical prepaid SIMs (Movistar has the best coverage, then Orange/Vodafone/Yoigo) require passport/ID registration.
WhatsApp runs everything in Spain; calls are not blocked.
The default - friends, businesses, doctors and landlords all reach you here. Voice/video calls work normally.
Common among iPhone users; plain SMS is still used for one-time login codes.
Amazon.es dominates new goods; Wallapop is the local second-hand default.
112 is the one number to remember - it covers police, fire and ambulance.
Police, fire and ambulance in one call. Free, works with no credit or a foreign SIM, English + 50 languages.
Policia Nacional: serious crime and theft reports.
Policia Municipal: traffic, noise and lost property in the city.
Ambulance / medical urgencies (SUMMA 112 in the Madrid region).
Highways, borders and rural areas outside the city.
Shared e-scooters (Lime, Dott, Tier) were banned and removed from Madrid in Oct 2024 - those apps won't work here. BiciMAD public e-bikes are the only shared option left.
Madrid's public e-bike system (run by EMT); 600+ docking stations across the city.
Six concrete setup decisions for Madrid. No fake personalization—just the local default, the local caveat, and what to do before day one gets expensive.
Mark only what you have actually set up. Progress stays in this browser.
Set up data before you need a ride, ticket, map, or verification code.
Most-used travel eSIM; runs on Orange/Vodafone/Yoigo in Spain. EU/EEA visitors roam free on their home plan ('Roam Like At Home') - no eSIM needed. Physical prepaid SIMs (Movistar has the best coverage, then Orange/Vodafone/Yoigo) require passport/ID registration.
Know the local default before accepting a taxi quote or opening a global app.
Spanish-born and the go-to ride app; fixed upfront price, reliable across central Madrid. Two co-dominant apps: Cabify for booked VTC rides, FreeNow to hail Madrid's licensed white-and-red street taxis.
Compare the official airport-to-city option before paying for a car.
Official metro app: maps, times, service alerts. Since June 1, 2026, every Metro station accepts a contactless bank card, phone or watch directly at the turnstile. EMT buses also accept contactless payment for single fares; use a Multi/TTP card for stored tickets and passes.
Open the map that works best locally and save your hotel or first stop.
Walking, driving and full public-transport routing with live departures. Google Maps is the default and handles full metro/bus routing with live times.
Check the local card, cash, and wallet reality before your first purchase.
Locals split bills and pay friends/small shops with it - but it needs a Spanish bank account + local number, so most visitors can't use it. Cards and phones are accepted almost everywhere and contactless under EUR 50 needs no PIN; cash is fading but keep a little for markets and tiny bars.
Use the service locals answer—and note any calling or registration restriction.
The default - friends, businesses, doctors and landlords all reach you here. Voice/video calls work normally. WhatsApp runs everything in Spain; calls are not blocked.
This is an arrival checklist, not an app ranking. Open the full local toolkit below for alternatives, coverage limits, and services you may need later.
Local tender, realistic foreign-currency acceptance, and a daily USD reference before a terminal or exchange desk chooses the rate for you.
Reference only. Your bank, card network, ATM, or exchange counter may add fees or use a different rate.
The normal currency for prices and payment.
Cards and contactless are widely accepted. Keep a little euro cash for small vendors, markets, or minimum-card rules.
Country payment guidance reviewed Jul 21, 2026