Internet for an off-grid home in Spain

Start here: internet for an off-grid home

For a lot of people, working remotely is what makes off-grid life possible at all. The good news is that it’s never been easier to get decent internet in the middle of nowhere. The bad news is that the right answer depends on the exact spot, so check before you buy.

1. Check coverage at the property

Start with the map of areas with no 4G coverage, then go to the property with your phone and test it at different times of day, inside and outside. A valley can be dead while the hill above has full signal. If a neighbour works from home, ask what they use.

2. Pick the connection

• 4G or 5G router: where there’s a strong signal, a router with a data plan is often the cheapest option. An external antenna can turn weak signal into usable signal.
• Fixed wireless: local providers in some rural areas beam a connection from a hilltop mast. Ask locally.
• Starlink: works almost anywhere with a clear view of the sky. Plans start from €35 a month, plus a €10 monthly kit fee for new customers. Prices change often, so check before you sign up.

We use Starlink because 4G is patchy where we live and we both need to work. My guide to staying connected off-grid compares the options in detail, including phones.

3. Remember it’s a power load

Internet kit runs 24 hours a day, and that background load adds up over a winter night. Router, Starlink and Wi-Fi together are a real part of an off-grid budget; my solar sizing guide includes them. Put them on a schedule or a switch if you don’t need them overnight.

Before you buy

• Test the signal on site, at several times of day.
• Look for a clear view of the northern sky if you’re considering Starlink, and check trees and buildings.
• Ask neighbours what works.
• If your income depends on it, plan a backup: a second provider or a mobile hotspot.

Internet is one of the checks in checks before buying rural land, and distance from services is a theme in the region guides, especially Extremadura and Galicia. The directory lists internet and Starlink installers by province.