http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?t=1011928

But you might want to get the phone unlocked – any contract phone (which you won't be able to buy must be unlocked free by the company it is a new law)

But to see a phone unlocked before in a store is quite rare, so you'll need to get it unlocked by an algerian in the market (around 10€, or in a vodafone store around 25€)

Buy a vodafone Sim Card here – about 25€ (Or free with most phone, and the recharge it – you pay tax on what you rechagre, if you put 15€ on, you'll only get about 11€)

Then if your phone is unlocked then when you go to France you can take the Spanish Sim Card – Vodafone, I think their the best network BUT NOT THE CHEAPEST ! – then when you go to France you can buy an SFR or ORANGE Sim card to put into this phone…
Germany… a T-Mobile Sim card…

Hungary and Poland I'm not sure… I think Poland has Vodafone also. & T-Mobile

(You DON'T need any quad, or triband phone if your ONLY going to be usuing it on your vacation in Europe)

The people in most Vodafone stores speak English to some extenit. I think more people will in Madrid – I know when you phone Vodafone for help English & Romanian are some of the languages they offer help and advice over the phone in !

You have all ready realized your soloution, buy the CHEAPEST phone they have in Vodafone (about 24€ you will get the Sim Card free. Get them, or visit a market stall or cheap looking UNBRANDED phone store, and they'll unlock it. MOST Noika's can be unlocked FREE onlike – do a quick search for it, but Noika's won't be one of the cheaper phones !)

edit… you CAN use your Spanish sim card in most countrys stright from buying it – but you'll pay HUGE roaming fees. but if it is only a phone for emergencys then you don't need to do anything or get it unlocked to buy Sim Card's in other countries