Santander embeds eSIM travel data service in mobile app via global Gigs partnership
Santander embeds eSIM travel data service in mobile app via global Gigs partnership #
Banco Santander has launched an eSIM service for customers in Spain, embedding international mobile data connectivity directly into the bank’s mobile app. The service was developed in partnership with Gigs, a company specialising in digital connectivity and eSIM infrastructure, under a global agreement between the two firms. Spain is the first Santander market to receive the product, with Portugal and Mexico next, followed by further international expansion, according to the bank’s announcement.
Customers in Spain can activate an eSIM directly within the Santander app and purchase mobile data packages in tiers of 3GB, 5GB, 10GB, 20GB, and 50GB, covering more than 160 countries. Destinations include the United States, the United Kingdom, Morocco, Turkey, Japan, Brazil, and Thailand. Users complete a one-time eSIM activation rather than downloading a new virtual SIM card before each trip, and can top up, track their consumption in real time, and manage all plans from a single in-app section without using third-party applications.
Santander said the product targets frequent travellers who want a more practical and affordable alternative to traditional roaming, particularly for journeys outside the European Union, where carriers’ standard roaming protections do not apply.
Santander describes the initiative as part of its Global Businesses strategy, which aims to develop scalable digital solutions replicable across the group’s multi-country footprint. A single partnership with Gigs is intended to deliver consistency of experience across markets without duplicating development efforts.
Gigs, which describes itself as an operating system for mobile services, already powers connectivity features for fintech clients including Revolut, Klarna, Cash App, and Nubank. The company is backed by Ribbit Capital, Google, and Y Combinator.
Santander’s launch follows similar moves by traditional banks to add travel and lifestyle utilities to their apps as they seek to increase daily engagement and compete with app-first challengers that have built customer loyalty through bundled non-banking services.
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