Italy SIM Cards: Everything You Need To Know | 2022
About to visit Italy?Make sure you know what to expect when you buy Italian SIM.
Fortunately, Europe is one of the best places where you can easily buy a SIM card. You should be able to find cheap SIM cards almost anywhere in Europe. The fact that most packets are affordable makes the whole thing easier!
In this guide, we’ll explain how to buy a SIM card in Italy and online. We’ll also discuss prepaid SIM cards and eSIMs if your phone supports it. That said, if you’re traveling to other European countries, you should be able to use the same SIM card, as most SIM card providers also offer services in other European countries.
Before reading this guide, you may be wondering if you really need a SIM card in Italy. If you don’t mind not having internet, you’ll probably find free Wifi in restaurants, shopping malls, and hotels.
That said, if you need data to get around, call Uber, or translate Italian – you’ll probably need a SIM card to use when traveling in Italy.
Note that if you are European, your cell phone provider may already have Italian service. If this is the case, you won’t need a SIM card for your Italian adventures.
best sim card in italy
If you are traveling in Italy, we recommend that you use a Vodafone, Iliad, TIM or Airalo SIM card. (I’ll be back to Airalo later, so read on to learn more!)
That said, if you are planning to visit other countries during your European trip, you may want to make sure you choose the option that offers insurance in other European countries.
How to buy a SIM card in Italy
You can buy a European prepaid SIM card at some international airports, mobile operator stores, convenience stores or online.
Generally, you can get higher cost and lower data at the airport, so we do not recommend buying a SIM card at the airport. That said, you won’t necessarily find a SIM card store at every airport, so keep that in mind. And, when you see a store, your options may also be limited.
For this reason, I recommend buying a SIM card directly from the mobile provider’s store. Note that you may need a passport to purchase.
Although, that means you won’t get the data immediately upon arrival. So if you want to stay connected all the time, you can use an eSIM or buy a European prepaid SIM card online.
Now, let’s take a look at the data plans offered by Vodafone, Iliad and TIM.
Vodafone Italia SIM Card
Vodafone Italy A program called Vodafone Vacations is offered to tourists:
- 300 minutes and text messages to your home country
- 2 GB data
- 30 euros
As a tourist, this is a good option for Italy, depending on your travel time.
Iliad SIM card
Iliad There are several different prepaid plans available:
- Giga 120: 120 GB, 1 month, €9.99
- Giga 80: 80 GB, 1 month, €7.99
- Data 300: 300 GB, 1 month, EUR 13.99
TIM SIM card
Tim Offer travelers a special “TIM Travel” program that includes:
Overall, we think Iliad is the best option if you’re planning to buy a SIM card in person. That is, if you can’t find their store, anyone will!
How to buy Italian prepaid SIM card online
If you wish to have your SIM card ready when you arrive, you can buy it online or on sites like Amazon.
You’ll find different plans on Amazon. E.g, Orange Holiday Europe Prepaid SIM Card Works in over 30 countries and gives you 20BG data for 14 days. Including Italy.
But there are many other options worth considering, so check and make sure the country you plan to visit is listed.
Another option is to buy a prepaid European SIM card simplify. This method works if you live in the US or Australia. They currently offer 4 different packages.
- 12 GB valid for 30 days for $26 – available in 71 countries
- 100 GB valid for 30 days for $49 – available in 44 countries
- 80 GB valid for 28 days for $69 – works in 45 countries
- 40 GB valid for 28 days for $55 – available in 45 countries
Finally, the last option is to buy an eSIM for Europe.
How to buy an eSIM for Italy
eSIM is a new concept that allows you to have a virtual SIM card inside your phone. If your phone supports eSIM – this is definitely one of the best options for getting data in Italy.
curious?Learn more about eSIM for travelers.
I started using eSIM as soon as my phone supported it. I tried it for the first time while visiting family in Canada.To buy an eSIM, I usually use Airalo. Read on to learn more about the best eSIMs in Italy.
Elalo, Italy
If you want to buy an eSIM for Italy, you can Airalo. The site offers many eSIM cards worldwide and special plans for Europe and Italy. I’ve been using Airalo in Europe for a few months and it works great.
here has Available options:
- Mamma Mia: 1 GB, valid for 7 days, $4.50
- Mamma Mia: 3 GB, valid for 30 days, $7
- Mamma Mia: 5 GB, valid for 30 days, $10.50
- Mamma Mia: 10 GB, valid for 30 days, $16
Here is an overview Options available in Europe:
- 1 GB, valid for 7 days, $5
- 3 GB, valid for 30 days, $13
- 5 GB, valid for 30 days, $20
- 10 GB, valid for 30 days, $37
- 50 GB, valid for 90 days, $100
- 100 GB, valid for 180 days, $185
The above options are part of Eurolink, covering 39 countries including Italy.
Or, if you’re traveling in other countries not mentioned in the list, you can try Discover Global, which covers 87 countries, including Italy.
Here is an overview Options available on Discover Global:
- 1 GB valid for 7 days for $9
- 3 GB, valid for 15 days, $24
- 5 GB, valid for 30 days, $35
- 10 GB, valid for 60 days, $59
- 20 GB valid for 180 days for $89
Now, one important thing to note about Airalo is that you need to keep an eye on the provider in each country. Let’s say you can’t connect to the Internet while you’re on the road. In this case, it may be because you are automatically connected to the network and you need to select the network manually.
After purchasing an eSIM, you will have access to a list of supported networks in each country.
Italy
Alternatively, you can review your options Holafley. You can read our Holafly review to learn more about this eSIM store. I’ve also tried this eSIM provider in Europe and it works great. Their European eSIMs work in 32 countries (including Italy) and they offer the following plans:
- 5 days of unlimited data for $19
- Unlimited data for 10 days for $34
- 15 days of unlimited data for $47
- 20 days of unlimited data for $54
- 30 days of unlimited data for $64
- Unlimited data for 60 days, $84
- 90 days of unlimited data for $99
nomadic italy
at last, nomads Also a great eSIM provider. Below is an overview of the plans available in Italy:
- 1GB, valid for 7 days, $5
- 3GB, valid for 30 days, $11
- 5GB, valid for 30 days, $16
- 10GB, valid for 30 days, $24
- 20GB, valid for 30 days, $34
Final Thoughts on Italian SIM Cards
As you can see, getting a prepaid SIM card in Italy or even an eSIM to use while traveling in Italy is very easy. You can even stay connected anywhere in Europe without changing your SIM card, especially if you buy a European SIM card.
If you want data on arrival, I believe an eSIM is the easiest way to get data in Italy. This way, you don’t need to go to the store to buy a SIM card. Obviously, you need to make sure your phone supports eSIM first.
Heading to Italy? Read one of the following blog posts:
